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The Hyundai i30 might not have been a well-received car in the Malaysian market, but elsewhere in the world, this model was instrumental in the grand scheme of Hyundai’s masterplan to rise through the ranks of the world’s top car manufacturers. It has been well-received in Europe, selling over 350,000 units since its launch in July 2007.

Many firsts for Hyundai were marked by the i30. It was the company’s first model to be designed and engineered in Europe, rolling out of its new state-of-the-art plant in the Czech Republic. When the folks of EuroNCAP got their hands on the i30, they gave Hyundai its first ever five star rating. With 115,000 units sold in 2010, the i30 currently holds the record of having the highest ever annual sales figure in Europe.

Those are big shoes to fill, and the car charged with precisely that task, the new generation i30, will make its world premiere at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2011. Placing its debut in Germany is appropriate, as the i30’s design and engineering work was performed at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Russelsheim.

Like all of Hyundai’s latest products, the new i30 carries the company’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language with all its strong curving design lines. Quite simply, there is no mistaking the i30 for anything but a new Hyundai. Styling is reminiscent of the i40, and the trademark shoulder crease runs flush with the door handles – a costly and complex engineering feat.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented, “We expect the new-generation i30 to appeal to young, progressive buyers who want a car that not only performs well but looks great too. In this way, the new-generation i30 will contribute to future sales success, growing brand awareness and improving perceptions of Hyundai among European consumers.”

KON

Pictures: Official Hyundai release.

See also:
– First Impressions: Hyundai i30
– Hyundai i30 2.0 – The slanted ‘H’ comes of age

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For many years, consumers have been calling for Perodua to introduce a 1.5-litre version of the Myvi to satisfy the power-hungry crowd. There was intense speculation that the new Myvi will finally address that demand, so when Perodua launched with only the 1.3-litre model some quarters expressed their disappointment, though rumours refused to die.

Today, Perodua has finally broken its silence over the matter by officially announcing that the new Myvi 1.5 will be available in Perodua showrooms nationwide from 15 September 2011 onwards. Prices have not been revealed, but official order taking will commence on 12 September 2011. Expect figures exceeding RM60k.

A total of four variants will be available, which based on Perodua’s standard practice would mean two trim levels each available with manual and automatic transmission. The higher trim level will feature a multimedia unit as seen in the Myvi Elegance 1.3. Five choices are on the colour palette, including a new Majestic Yellow shade.

Building on the Myvi 1.3’s Lagi Best marketing tagline, the Myvi 1.5 is proclaimed as being Lagi Power, Lagi Best. Perodua Managing Director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said, “We anticipate that the new 1.5 Myvi Lagi Power, Lagi Best will contribute to about half of the monthly 8,000 units Myvi sales.”

Aminar said the new Myvi 1.3 continues to chalk good bookings and sales since June 2011. Perodua has received a total of 34,000 units bookings and 18,000 units delivered to date.


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The Volkswagen brand has made great progress in the Malaysian market, and its sights are set on continuous growth to capture a bigger share of the pie. With the launch of CKD models around the corner, Wolfsburg’s assault show no sign of relenting.

Over the past year, Volkswagen Group Malaysia (VGM) has been actively pursuing various brand-building activities to reach out to the Malaysian public – the massive party launch at Changkat Bukit Bintang for the Polo, Golf and Scirocco come to mind. The latest of its efforts would be the Volkswagen.DasAuto.Show 2011 currently taking place at Parking Lot B of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Launched yesterday to members of the press and VIP guests, the Das Auto show will be open to members of the public this coming Saturday and Sunday, 10-11 September 2011 (10am – 10pm). Entrance is free, and visitors will be exposed to the various engineering and technological innovations of the Volkswagen Group. Advertising and promotion of the event has proceeded in full force over the past month, and VGM expects to expect a total crowd turn out of 10,000 people.

Central element of the show is the Mega Dome that measures 42m across and 21m tall. Inside the dome is a specially built track running along the perimeter of the dome able to fit 12 cars at a time. The display of cars along the track is also complemented by a full dome projection system that is able to display moving backgrounds for the cars.

Before entering the Mega Dome, however, visitors will be taken through what is called the 9-car Caterpillar dome, which displays Volkswagen’s full line-up of cars in Malaysia. This section stretches 100m long and spans 15,000m2 of floorspace.

Volkswagen Passat CC prices

Early in May, we published a statement from VGM regarding a shipment of the Volkswagen Passat CC being held back customs for evaluation of its duties. At the time, VGM stated that customers who have signed on the purchase forms before 7 April 2011 will buy the Passat CC at the original price of RM245,060 without insurance regardless of any price revisions enforced on them by the Government.

No follow up announcements have been made since, but we were officially told last night over the press conference that the issue has been resolved, and the Passat CC’s price has now been revised to RM256,060 before insurance. Customers who signed their purchase orders before the announcement received their cars at the old prices.


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When we road-tested the Mazda2 sedan last October, the demo car supplied to us by local distributors Bermaz Motor was equipped with a built-in touchscreen GPS on its dash. The system was locally fitted, and was not offered to customers at the time. The unit was there for evaluation purposes.

Now, you can finally specify your Mazda2 with the RM2,500 system which comes complete with DVD, GPS, and Bluetooth connectivity. It is compatible with USB, SD Card, MP3, and the iPod; and if you buy your Mazda2 (any variant) in this month of September, the system is yours for free. Something to think about then.

See also: Mazda2 Sedan – Nifty little fella

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Over the past month, we’ve brought you a series of articles detailing a recent visit to Continental’s facilities in Babenhausen, Regensburg, and Frankfurt. There, we were shown technologies at various stages of developments by the Automotive Group’s three divisions – Interior, Powertrain, and Chassis & Safety.

Those of you with a keen interest in these technologies and happen to be at Frankfurt this September may want to pay the Continental booth at the 64th IAA International Motor Show a visit this coming 15 – 21 September. Items on display will include driver assistance and brake systems, vehicle access, networking and operating concepts, drive technologies, sensors, interior materials and tyres, for which the brand is famous.


Continental will have a lot to show at Frankfurt this September.

Experts will be present to give presentations of the various systems on display, and there will be various interactive activities to keep visitors occupied as they stroll around the 900m2 of floorspace taken up by the company. Now, if you’re not content to just see what these guys do, you also have the opportunity to get involved; Continental personnel will be keeping their eyes open for potential recruits amongst their visitors at the show, so don’t say we didn’t brief you on this opportunity.

“Greater safety and efficiency, a high degree of networking and enhanced comfort are our contributions to the future of individual mobility, which will be characterized heavily by technological diversity and complexity,” explains Dr. Elmar Degenhart, Executive Board chairman of Continental.


Phone as a car key? You betcha.

“With our appearance at this year’s IAA Show, where we will be focusing on automotive megatrends, we want to demonstrate that we are very well equipped for this challenge with our wide product range, outstanding system expertise and excellent quality management. Whether it is a combustion engine, hybrid drive, electric drive or fuel cell – we can provide high-quality products and system solutions for all current and future forms of individual mobility,” Degenhart added.

Continental’s displays will be organized into five separate areas called megatrends, which will be Safety, Environment, Information, Affordable Cars, and Electromobility. One display to watch out for would be the stereo camera system, which allows the vehicle’s onboard computer to triangulate the distance between the vehicle and any objects in its path. Current systems rely on the combination of a single camera with radar sensors for the vehicle to judge distances.


Stereo cameras will be the next development in obstacle detection.

Another innovation under the theme of Safety would be a new electro-hydraulic braking system, which integrates brake actuation, brake booster, and traction control systems into one compact and weight saving module. The system is also claimed to allow faster build up of brake pressure for more effective stopping. It can also be integrated to regenerative brake systems without any modifications.

Other displays to watch out for include a newly-developed fuel quality sensor, a turbocharger set for use by an American manufacturer, the ContiEcoContact5 low rolling resistance tyre, and the use of near field communication (NFC) to transform your mobile phone to a virtual car key among others. If you want to check these innovations up close (or if you want a new job), head to Continental’s booth in the IAA at Hall 5.1 Booth A 08.


Continental’s fuel supply systems.

KON

See also:
– Continental Automotive Group poised for growth in Asia
– Continental Automotive Group – Interior Division and The Future of Vehicle HMIs
– Continental Automotive Group – Visiting the Powertrain Division
– Continental Automotive Group – Tour concludes at Chassis & Safety division

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From now to 15 November 2011, patrons of Shell fuel stations will be in the running to win generous weekly cash prizes – over 1,000 winners will be pocketing extra money each week.

The weekly grand prize winner takes home RM20,000 cash, followed by RM2,000 for the next five winners. Consolation prizes worth RM100 will be given to 1,000 winners each week. At the end of the contest period, the ten weekly grand prize winners stand a chance to pocket the big RM500,000 grand prize.

To stand a chance to become a weekly winner, motorists would need to:
1.  Pump a minimum of RM30 of any Shell fuel, lubricants or Shell Select items
2.  Fill up a contest form and answer a simple question at the back of the form;
3.  Drop the contest form in the contest box at any of our Shell stations nationwide, with the purchase receipt attached.

To promote the contest, Shell will be sending its roving teams to the streets to engage Malaysian motorists and offer some fuel saving tips in the process. On 15 October 2011, Shell Malaysia will also be organizing the first ever Shell FuelSave Day at 1 Utama, which will be the largest ever fuel efficiency training held simultaneously in 10 countries across Asia and Europe.

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has just added a new member to its Livina model range, with the all-new Livina X-Gear joining three existing variants of the Grand Livina in the line-up. Built on the existing Livina platform, the five-seater X-Gear differentiates itself from its regular MPV brethren with touches of SUV-esque styling sprinkled all over its body.

To be perfectly clear, the X-Gear is not a jacked-up Livina – ground clearances are identical at 180mm; and if you try to strap the X-Gear’s bodykit onto the Grand Livina, you’ll be in for a disappointment when you get around to the rear. The X-Gear and Grand Livina have different aft overhangs, with the former’s being shorter by a full 145mm. So, if you want to transform your Grand Livina to look like an X-Gear, you’ll need someone to fashion a new rear bumper for you.

Rear overhang is shorter than the Grand Livina.


That aside, however, the X-Gear is almost identical to the Grand Livina save for the fact that it has only five seats. What’s pleasing to note, however, is that when you step inside, you are welcomed by an interior that appears noticeably more upmarket than the Grand Livina’s even if the cabin’s overall architecture is identical. The black colour scheme helped, but we also felt significant improvement in build quality compared to the Grand Livina’s.

ETCM’s asking price of RM82,800 with insurance places the X-Gear below the Grand Livina in the model hierarchy. Nissan’s primary benchmark for the X-Gear is Suzuki’s SX4, although they also hope to turn a few heads among B-segment shoppers. The aim is to present a roomier alternative to hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2 and Honda Jazz, and also hopefully tempt a few Honda City and Toyota Vios buyers in the process.

Nissan is targeting B-segment hatchback buyers by offering a roomier alternative.


Roomy the X-Gear certainly is, but it depends on how you look at it. There is more than enough leg and headroom for average-sized adults, but if you sit three at the back, shoulder room might be an issue. This is a legacy of the long but narrow Nissan B platform that underpins the Latio, the Livina family, and even the Sylphy.

It is important to note, however, that the Livina family of vehicles are designed and built with developing markets in mind. Taking this into account, a number of cost-driven considerations begin to show up, and two of them are noticeable when you sit behind. At the foot of the B-pillar, we noticed exposed front seat belt anchors, and while the rear cup-holders can alternate between holding one or two cups, it requires passengers to pull the plastic mould out and insert it into the slot accordingly – no fancy mechanism at work for the transformation, but hey, it works.

Cup holder alternates between one or two cups by manually slotting of the plastic mould.


The audio unit is also noticeably basic, and does not even feature steering-mounted controls – a time-honoured criticism that this writer has been leveling at Nissan cars. Those of you with portable media players can make use of the AUX jack, but no iPod or Bluetooth connectivity here. However, the unit is of the standard 2-DIN size, so audio buffs do have the option of performing aftermarket upgrades if they so want. Thankfully, however, the X-Gear’s safety kit was spared from cost cutting measures, so dual airbags, ABS, EBD, and brake assist are on the table.

Moving along, we have the 1.6-litre HR16DE engine taken straight from the Latio and Grand Livina residing up front. The all-aluminium unit is a basic 16-valve twin-cam motor with no variable valve timing, and with that consideration in mind, quoted outputs of 104hp @ 5,200rpm and 150Nm @ 4,400rpm are pretty respectable. As per the Grand Livina, it is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission. A highly praiseworthy virtue of the engine is its extreme silence. In fact, that damned thing is so eerily quiet on idle, I actually witnessed two media colleagues fooled into cranking the starter while the engine was still running.

We tested it to Penang and back.


For those of you wondering if there will be a 1.8 variant like the Grand Livina, the answer is no. We were told that such a model is not available for selection from Nissan’s international catalogue; 1.6 will have to do. Performance is not what we would call lethargic, but let’s just say that the engine and transmission combo is not entirely optimized for a spirited drive. Smooth throttle inputs will allow gradual progress up to 160-170kph, but these are not the kind of speeds we would recommend for you. In fact, once you take it past the national speed limit, it quickly becomes clear that the X-Gear’s chassis setup does not place high speed stability at the top of its priorities. It becomes floaty and road undulations can be acutely felt.

As far as the X-Gear’s dynamics are concerned, Nissan’s engineers have sensibly gotten their priorities right by focusing on low to moderate speed ride quality. The results are impressive, as the X-Gear absorbs potholes as if as they were not there. It was so good that on a few occasions, I even amused myself by deliberately driving over really harsh surfaces just to admire its amazing ride quality.

Nissan believes the pseudo-SUV styling is an integral part of the X-Gear’s appeal.


The X-Gear and Grand Livina share identical suspension architecture – MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam at the rear – but, compared to the Grand Livina, Nissan specified softer spring and damper settings for the X-Gear due to its reduced mass which explains its incredibly pliant ride. Wheel and tyre sizes similarly identical between both models – same rims are used – but we were quite shocked to find the X-Gear being shod with Continental CC1 tyres that are near the end of their product life cycle.

Despite its canggih-sounding name, the Livina X-Gear is nothing but a practical mode of transport offered with good value for your money, even if ETCM has been a little stingy with its kit count. It does not pack the kind of performance that its sexed-up looks suggest, but it will get you to your destination with a minimum of fuss. The amazing comfort of its ride is worth mentioning again and strengthens its case greatly for the family buyer.


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Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) today announced the imminent launch of the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT later this month. Selling point of this new model, will undoubtedly be its signifcant boost in horsepower and torque despite maintaining the identical 2,477cc capacity (and road tax) of the 4D56 block thanks to the use of a variable geometry turbo (VGT).

Pricing of the new Pajero Sport VGT, which will sell alongside the existing GL 2WD and GS 4WD models, is estimated to be in the region of RM173,000, which puts it squarely against the Ford Everest 3.0 (RM176k with insurance). Specs of this variant in other ASEAN markets indicate outputs of 176hp and 350Nm – that’s more power than all of its rivals, although it is still short on torque against the Everest 3.0 (380Nm) and Nissan Navara (403Nm).

With VGT technology, the turbocharger’s fan blades are able to vary their angles based on engine speed. This allows the charger to set itself up for optimum boosting at both low and high revolutions, simultaneously eliminated turbo lag while efficiency of the turbocharger at higher engine speeds.

Since its introduction in 2009, and addition of the RWD GL variant in 2010, MMM has put 3,000 units of the Pajero Sport into Malaysian homes. Further boosts to its success come in the form of car awards by our friends at Autocar ASEAN and the New Straits Times.


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The expertise of Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division covers the field of driving safety and dynamics. Products under its portfolio include brakes, chassis control systems, sensors, driver assistance systems, airbag electronics, and air suspension. This division has access to 57 plants, research centres and test tracks spread in 19 countries worldwide.

At our recent tour of Continental’s facilities in Germany, our final stop was at the Chassis & Safety Division’s main base in Frankfurt. It consists of five business units – Electronic Brake Systems, Hydraulic Brake Systems, Sensorics, Passive Safety & Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and Chassis Components. The business units develop a whole suite of safety systems, all of which are parked under the ContiGuard safety concept.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Car


Essentially, ContiGuard interlinks the various safety systems of the car, clustered into three functions – driver assistance, chassis control, and occupant protection – to provide the best possible protection in all driving and traffic conditions. ContiGuard is modular and scalable, meaning that what’s included and what’s not can be tailored to the requirements of various markets and clients.

The Chassis & Safety Division’s base in Frankfurt also houses a little test track like Regensburg, on which we were able to experience some of the division’s handiwork first hand. There weren’t exercises for us to test their airbags, but we did have the opportunity to try out some pretty nifty equipment, one of them being the Rear Traffic Crossing Alert (RTCA) system. RTCA is essentially a reverse sensor, but rather than just detect obstacles directly behind your car, it also scans a 120 degree arc behind your vehicle watching out for approaching vehicles as you reverse out of the parking slot. Audio and visual warnings are flashed when such vehicles are detected.

Rear Traffic Crossing Alert helps you watch for passing cars as you reverse out of your space.


During the demo, the group’s resident smart alec (i.e. me) had to point out that such a system is wholly unnecessary if one simply reverse parks. That, then, brought us to a little bit trivia on European parking practices. You see, reverse parking is not only not widely practiced there, but it is outright disallowed to reverse park into a slot and have your exhaust pipe facing buildings. So, RTCA is useful after all.

On the topic of parking, we all know how some drivers are stumped by parallel parking. In recent years, German manufacturers like Volkswagen and BMW have introduced parallel park assist systems that scan for parking slots of suitable lengths, and then help steer the vehicle as you reverse into the slot. The driver maintains control of the vehicle’s forward or reverse motion, while the system calculates the needed steering angles and operate the steering. It works with both manual and automatic transmissions, but the steering rack must feature electric power assist.

Parallel parking assist.


For the driving purists, such developments will only further accelerate the eventual demise of hydraulic power steering, which are still regarded to provide superior driving feel compared to electric racks. However, the fact is that electric power steering systems are cheaper to build, cheaper to maintain, and far easier to be integrated with the up coming generation of steering assist systems. Indeed, we hear that the next item in steering development will be steer-by-wire, where the steering column itself is obviated, replaced by electrical impulses traveling back and forth between the steering wheel and motor.

Still on the topic of steering, we now come to Emergency Steer Assist system which prompts the driver on which way to react when attempt to steer around an obstacle. The system is integrated with a field of sensors placed around the vehicle to give it awareness of all nearby moving objects. In the occasion where evasive action is needed, the system calculates the safest and smoothest path that the vehicle can take whilst taking into account the relative positions of surrounding objects.

Instruments for the 530i Emergency Steer Assist prototype. Yes, it was a manual, and it was fun.


We tested this particular system in a BMW 530i manual, which, by the way, I just have to compliment for its superbly-weighted clutch and slick gear change. Taking evasive maneuvers in this specially modified E60 530i, I could feel the steering giving a little tug as you turn it, as if nudging you in the recommended direction. Once you’ve swerved around the obstacle, the steering tugged back the other way to prompt you to counter-steer and remain on the lane. As we increased our speeds in each successive try, we found that the steering increased its ‘tugging’ force accordingly.

Steering around obstacles requires that the driver actually be focused on the task of driving. In instances where he isn’t, there is going to be a problem, and that is where we have the Emergency Brake Assist system coming into play. We are intimately familiar with this system already, thanks to Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake that is fitted in the new S60 and XC60. For our demo in Frankfurt, however, we had the all-new Ford Focus, which is due to reach Malaysian shores next year. The test car was an actual production unit, fitted with the City Safety Emergency Brake Assist system. During the test run, we drove the Focus straight towards an obstacle at 30kph. Although the obstacle was nothing more than an oversized balloon, it was still unnerving to drive towards it and withhold the urge of stepping on the brakes. In our couple of test runs, the Focus stopped just centimetres short of the obstacle.

Testing the brake assist function.


Our test car was equipped with the Powershift dual-clutch transmission, but we have been told that manual versions are offered with the system as well. When used with stick shift vehicles, the engine will undoubtedly stall as the system applies full braking power without disengaging the clutch. However, in the interest of avoiding a collision, allowing the engine to stall is a perfectly acceptable compromise. Better to have bruised ego than a bruised forehead to be sure. We are uncertain if Malaysia-bound units of the all-new Focus will feature this system, but we won’t bet on that just yet.

One new product that recently released by the Chassis & Safety division, but which we did not have the opportunity to test during our visit is a new fixed-type caliper disc brake for mid-sized passenger cars. Designed primarily for use in the front axle, the caliper can also be adapted for use at the rear. It’s key selling point is a 1.5kg reduction in mass compared to fist-type calipers of comparable design.

“We are helping vehicle manufacturers to further reduce the CO2 emissions on new models. Weight is a key factor in this respect. At the same time, light-weight design must not be allowed to create problems in other areas. In order to prevent squeal on fixed-type caliper brakes, we have used our experience with fist-caliper brakes to come up with an innovative fixed-type caliper design”, said Dietrich Golz, Head of Development for Wheel Brakes at the Hydraulic Brake Systems Business Unit at Continental’s Chassis & Safety Division.

The new fixed caliper brake by the Chassis & Safety division.


The development of this new brake caliper is inline with increasingly stringent and ambitious targets of fuel saving and emission standards being implemented worldwide. Squeezing the industry from other ends are safety regulations that are no less tough. Consumers, even those from emerging markets, are also getting increasingly educated and aware of such requirements.

In such markets, it is not only important to ensure that products are up to scratch, they are also required to remain cost competitive. The challenge for the folks at Continental then, is to ensure that the innovations that we had the opportunity of trying out in this trip can be made available at the most competitive prices without sacrifice in quality. No pressure there.


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Volkswagen will be looking to stamp its mark at the upcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 with some 54 cars to be put on display over an exhibition area spanning 8,893m2 of floorspace. In addition to the show cars, some 74 cars will also be mobilized for visitors to get behind the wheel for test drives.

As some ten months worth of preparation enters its final stages, a team of 1,000 personnel have moved into the exhibition site to begin 25 days of work to bring the visions of 14 architects into reality. The stand’s main attraction will the new up! city car, which will be getting its own multi-media showroom. Additional display models will also be placed along ‘carwalks’ that crisscross the stand.

Another notable display will be the new Beetle, which was launched earlier this year in Shanghai and has 500m2 of floorspace assigned to it. Visitors can also amuse themselves at the ‘Innovation Wall’ which is essentially a 30m-long tablet PC capable of creating visual presentations around the real exhibits.

Tillmann Stauske, head of fairs and congresses at Volkswagen, said, “Volkswagen has the largest test fleet of any automaker at the IAA – 74 vehicles are lined up outside Hall 3.0. That means our guests can experience the entire Volkswagen product range – from the Polo and Golf blue-e-motion to the Touareg Hybrid.”

KON

Pictures: Official Volkswagen release

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