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The Toyota Vios, as a car, does not come across as a high speed performer, nor is it a sporty car. We at AW do acknowledge that it sells by the thousands, and you see them all over the country. One minute you see a Vios driven by a young man; the next minute you see an elderly man or woman going past in another. It is also popular amongst the young ladies. We got one from UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, and decided to check it out, and try to find the magic ingredient or ingredients that makes it so popular.

The face-lifted Toyota Vios, launched recently by UMW Toyota, comes with a new, more aggressive looking front mask, and a revamped rear end. The new looks are getting a mixed response from the Malaysian motoring public. Some people I talk to like its new look, which attempt to make it look like a ‘baby’ Camry, but somehow the smaller size does not allow it to carry it off well.One friend actually said that it looks like a fish, referring to the shape of the new grille. There are also others that love the new lines, as they think that it looks sporty. Finally, it is a matter of opinion, and what you see is what you get; make your own choice. Anyway, it is a matter of opinion, and we will leave it to the individual to choose. Personally, I think it looks pretty much the same one way or the other, and it is what’s underneath the skin that counts.

Basically the Vios retains the same mechanicals as the previous model, with some bits and pieces of improvements added to make it more appealing to the young, for the Vios is mainly targeted at the young buyer.

We clocked over a thousand kilometres in the new Vios to see what makes it tick, and why it remains one of the top sellers in this country, and in the region.

I think that one of the Vios’ endearing qualities must be the ease of driving it. The steering is light to the touch, and the car is very responsive to steering input. Handling is quite good, and the Vios gives you a reassuring feeling of security when you are on the road. A good caster angle built into the suspension geometry give you unerring straight-line stability, and the Vios is good up to an indicated 180 km/hr, which also happens to be its top speed. Power delivery is smooth, not too much and not too little, and the electronically controlled gearbox has smooth changes and ratios that seem to suit the car very well.

Around corners, the Vios is very obedient, and you can get quite a good feel for the road. The suspension is supple enough to have just the right amount of ‘give’, and stiff enough to allow not more than a little bit of roll when you push it to the extreme. Given that it is a relatively light car, and considering the fact that the designers have to cater for a weight variance of around 300 kg when fully loaded, the base set-up has to be a little firm, but in the Vios, it is not overly so.The Vios comes with independent Macpherson strut suspension at the front, a torsion beam at the rear, and coil springs all round. The electric power steering helps to save fuel, and is geared just right to give the driver enough ‘feel’.

Stopping power is adequate from the ventilated front discs working in tandem with the rear solid discs, and there is EBD and BA, plus ABS to help out in emergency situations.

The engine produces 109 ps of power at 6,000 rpm, and 141 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. This power is just enough to excite, and about right for a car of this size, giving an acceleration of zero to 100 km/hr is a little under 12 seconds, yet allows one to have some semblance of fuel economy.

The Vios appears most efficient in the 90 – 120 km/h territory, but gets a little thirstier when you push it above that speed. Our first refuel happened after 377 kilometres, and we put in RM75.44 of fuel. For this session, we drove the car quite fast, and that cost an average of 20 sen per kilometre. Subsequently, we ran the fuel tank dry after fueling it to the brim, and the Vios rolled to a stop after 447 kilometres. On a 42 litre tank, that would mean we got 10.64 kilometres per litre, or an average of 18 sen per kilometre. This is quite a respectable figure, considering that the current price of fuel is RM1.92.

Add to this the legendary reliability of anything Toyota, plus the service network, and you have a winner. In fact, there is talk that if you plaster a Toyota badge on any car, it immediately becomes a sure seller. In real life it is not as simple as this, because behind that badge goes a whole lot of research and testing to make sure the Toyota standards of quality, durability and reliability are adhered to.

Suffice to say that all these above standards have been met in the new Vios, and it will continue to serve its owners well, as most Toyotas always have.

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Kuala Lumpur, 3 March 2008 − The Formula One Grand Prix in Malaysia is back this year for the 10th time at the Sepang International F1 Circuit. Riding the crest of the wave of the excitement building up to the upcoming Formula One event, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched an exciting marketing campaign at participating Mercedes-Benz Autohaus showrooms.

Every customer who places a booking on the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class from 11 February 2008 to 10 March 2008 will be entitled to a pair of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One party tickets and a pair of Formula One limited edition goody bags worth USD300.

The promotion also offers customers the opportunity to participate in a contest to win five first prizes of one pair of paddock passes including exclusive pit lanes visits, five second prizes of one pair of K1 platinum grandstand passes and three third prizes of TAG Heuer Formula One introductory packs which includes a TAG Heuer Formula One watch and two TAG Heuer T-shirts.

To add further pizzazz, a nationwide Formula One Openhaus (Open House) at participating Mercedes-Benz dealers will take place on 23 March 2008. On that day, Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts will be able to watch the live telecast of the Formula One Grand Prix in the respective Autohaus showrooms. Test drives of Mercedes-Benz cars will also be conducted for interested customers.

“For this Formula One season, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is pleased to present their team drivers, Lewis Hamilton and his new team mate Heikki Kovalainen. Last season, Hamilton put on an impressive performance with a second place title in his first Formula One Grand Prix championship. He also established some good records for his fellow race drivers to beat. And with Kovalainen’s striking résumé of wins and podium finishes, we are geared for another exciting Formula One season,” said Florian Mueller, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.

Complementing the strong driver team this year is the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 – a car which represents a step forward and has evolved from its predecessor with new upgrades on aerodynamic surfaces, wings, bodywork, bargeboards, and additional bodywork components. Powered by the Mercedes-Benz FO 108V engine, the new MP4-23 adheres to the Formula One engine regulations for the 2008 World Championship season, which represents a continuation of the basic rules introduced in 2006 based around the concept of the 2.4-litre 90-degree V8 power units succeeding the 3-litre V10 engine regulations.

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F1 is as much about marketing as it is about racing, win on Sunday sell on Monday is still the mantra.

BMW is offering a special edition 320i to commemorate the race this year and for your money you get special interior trim which includes the autographs of team drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.

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There are no mechanical mods so the car is only expected to move faster out of the showroom as fans clamber for the privilege of buying a car signed by their favourite drivers.

If you buy before March 14, they will even throw in a couple of free tickets to their pit lounge event.

BMW Malaysia didn’t say if this is a limited edition and how many cars will carry the signatures. The car can be yours for RM 236, 800.00

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For full details read the full Pres Release below

NEWS RELEASE

BMW Malaysia Launch BMW 320i Special Edition to Commemorate F1

BMW Sauber F1 Team Editions in Showrooms on 1st March 2008

Kuala Lumpur, 1 March 2008 – BMW Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. today launched a special edition of the BMW 320i, the BMW Sauber F1 Team Edition.

This special edition comes with a unique interior trim which will feature the personal autographs of BMW Sauber F1 Team drivers, Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica, and also Dr. Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director to commemorate the 10th Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix.

The BMW 320i comes with a 4-cylinder in-line petrol engine with four-valve technology, 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and 17” Light-alloy wheels with run flat tyre technology. Unique to the special edition is the Original BMW iPod interface as well as an enhanced interior.

Apart from the signed car trim, customers who purchase the cars by March 14th will also receive two (2) free tickets to attend the exclusive BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lounge event, happening on 19th March 2008 where they will witness the signing of the cars by Heidfeld, Kubica and Theissen.

Also, starting from 1st March 2008 onwards, the BMW 320i together with other selected BMW models are available with a special financing package from BMW Credit and BMW Lease with an interest rate as low as 1.58%. Alternatively, customers can opt for an extended BMW Service + Repair Inclusive package of 5 years or 100,000km whichever comes first. Customers also can enjoy a 20% discount promotion on all original BMW accessories.

The BMW 320i is priced (on the road, without insurance) at RM 236, 800.00

For further enquiries on this Campaign and other BMW promotions, customers can contact BMW Voice at a toll free number 1-800-88-3000.

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From left to right: Norlina Johor, Leona Chin, Puteri Ayu Jasmin and Nurbaizura Ruslan

There is no better reason to go to any event than the thought of watching four beautiful girls sweating while they wrestle a grunting, screaming and pulsating beast for 12 hours. That’s what you will get if make your way to the Sepang International Circuit in August for a bit of night action.

You can be sure that these girls will last and last because they are fed a steady stream of Red Bull energy drink.

Nurbaizura Ruslan, Leona Chin, Putri Ayu Jasmin and Norlina Johor will show off their skills at the Merdeka Millennium Endurance race this year as part of the Red Bull team.

The Swiss energy drink company has been in the habit of making pretty girls sweat in Sepang for a few years now. In the past they have had local celebs including my favourite hottie Deanna Yusof in the cockpit but this year they decided to enroll four track racing virgins.

The four girls had to go through three hours of testing to get their spot.

The man who made them sweat was Kenvin Low, Chief instructor of the Asia Advanced Driving Academy (AADA).

“…so far the four ladies have demonstrated impressive driving skills. Looking at their determination, and the training sessions outlined for them, we are confident that they will be ready for the race this year,” said Kenvin.

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For the rest of the exciting details please read the Press release below

FULL PRESS RELEASE

The NEW Red Bull Female Rookie Team to compete at the 2008 Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race!
The Red Bull Rookies are out to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with at a special training session at the Sepang International Circuit

SEPANG, 29 February 2008 – Four dynamic girls from diversified backgrounds have been selected for the NEW Red Bull Female Rookie Team to compete in the highly-anticipated Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) race later this year. As such, these plucky lasses, Nurbaizura Ruslan, Leona Chin, Putri Ayu Jasmin and Norlina Johor, had a small taste of the world of professional racing with a full-fledged training session at the Sepang International Circuit recently.

For three arduous hours, the gutsy ladies sweated it out and took turns in putting their skills to test around the Sepang International Circuit under Chief Trainer, Kenvin Low of the Asia Advanced Driving Academy (AADA). “We are only at the preliminary training session, but so far the four ladies have demonstrated impressive driving skills. Looking at their determination, and the training sessions outlined for them, we are confident that they will be ready for the race this year,” said Kenvin.

With this session just being the tip of the iceberg, Kenvin added, “The following sessions will emphasise on team work as well as grounding on physical and mental preparations for this race.”

And these skills will come in extremely handy in the Merdeka Millenium Endurance race, a 12-hour annual endurance race which began in 2000. Incidentally, from its humble beginnings of simply being a premier Malaysian event, the MME has since attracted strong international recognition. 

“This first training session was truly an exciting experience, especially when trained by professionals who previously have won the MME!” enthused Norlina Johor. “We look forward to more sessions to further enhance our driving skills.”

“These sessions also allows us to familiarise ourselves with the Sepang International F1 Circuit Track which will enable us to manoeuvre the race car at optimum speed,” says Nurbaizura Ruslan.

No doubt, these feisty ladies still have much to learn, nevertheless, based on the training session recently, as well as their dedication, determination and commitment to the sport, it all points to this year’s MME race being a very exciting one!

REDBULL FEMALE DRIVER SEARCH –  FACT SHEET

What is it?

o This initiative directly addresses the lack of an effective system in which young female Malaysian drivers are given the opportunity to hone their skills in order to become a professional race car driver.

o The goal was to find, fund and nurture aspiring, up-and-coming female Malaysian driving talents by preparing them to race in Asia’s biggest endurance competition, the Merdeka Millennium Endurance (MME) Race.

o The program also involves assistance in the various aspects that are critical for success in racing: physical training, language and culture, media skills, team dynamics, etc.

How were the drivers chosen?

o Red Bull conducted 3 roadshows (in the Northern, Southern and Central regions) to promote the campaign and registration was open to anybody who was interested regardless of their background.

o At each venue, the entrants were tested on basic driving skills and the judges gathered to nominate between approximately 2 to 4 drivers deemed to have the most potential to succeed in the motorsports industry.

o Driving skills, of course, were paramount, but each driver’s racecraft, fitness, mental acuity, personality, cultural flexibility, media and presentation skills, amongst other things, were also assessed.

o The  4 selected drivers were announced in October 2007

o The selected drivers are hence known as the Red Bull Female Rookies team and are currently undergoing training with Kenvin Low (Chief Trainer) in preparation for the MME Race.

PROFILE OF THE FOUR DRIVERS

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NAME  : PUTERI AYU JASMIN (PUT)

AGE  : 24 YEARS

HEIGHT : 5’2”

WEIGHT  : 47 KG

HOMETOWN: PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR

PROFESSION: EVENT EXECUTIVE

SPECIAL TALENT: DANCE & THEATRE

“I have the passion for the sport, love racing, crave for speed and believe I drive like any other guy. At the same time I would like to prove that girls too can drive on the race track. I am confident in my driving skills and hope this could be the platform to put it to test.”
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NAME  : LEONA CHIN

AGE   : 21 YEARS

HEIGHT  : 165 cm

WEIGHT  : 54 KG

HOMETOWN : SUBANG JAYA, SELANGOR

PROFESSION : STUDENT

SPECIAL TALENT : DRIFTING
“Motorsports has been a passion of mine since the age of 16. Since I was issued my drivers license, I’ve driven turbo engine cars; Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo and Nissan 200sx. As my interest in motorsports grew, I began to engage in drifting events too. My aim is to represent Malaysia as a race car driver.”

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NAME  : NORBAIZURA RUSLAN  
  (ZURA)

AGE   : 24 YEARS

HEIGHT  : 5’6”

WEIGHT  : 55 KG

HOMETOWN  : PORT KLANG, SELANGOR

PROFESSION : ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE

SPECIAL TALENT: SINGING
“It has always been an ambition of mine to be involved in motorsports and being part of the Red Bull Female Rookies Team has opened the avenue which I have searched for. I am confident that my physical and mental strength will take me through the extensive training sessions and I am up to the challenge.”

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NAME  : NORLINA JOHOR (LINA)

AGE   : 26 YEARS

HEIGHT : 5’5”

WEIGHT  : 50 KG

HOMETOWN: SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR

PROFESSION: ENTREPRENEUR

SPECIAL TALENT: TAE KWAN DO – BLACK BELT
“I would like to be a Malaysian female race car driver that inspires other young talents to bring fame to our nation. Besides this, I possess the necessary skills and am totally committed to motorsports. The speed and challenge is something that I welcome with open arms.”

From left to right: Norlina Johor, Leona Chin, Puteri Ayu Jasmin and Nurbaizura Ruslan

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Italian styling house and coachbuilder Zagato is known for their radical takes on already excitign design and this time they have turned their attention to the Bentley Continental GT.

The GT is not the most exctiting looking car inthe world, its a very large coupe that’s as big as a small house so there is a lot of scope for improvement and thanks to Zagato, this super exclusive car now has the looks to match its performance.

The extensive styling change includes a more prominent radiator grille, the elimination of the front bumper and a radical take on the front unde bumper air intake. it now runs the entire width of the car.

The bonnet gets two slits that runs parallel to the outer edges while the quad lamps are given new more sloping homes.

On the side the Zagato version gets a more prominent styling crease that runs from the door bottom to hug the rear wheel haunches before tapering off intoa  rounded tail.

The roof gets a twin bubble effect and Zagato made sure that these continue into the rear windscreen and this makes a world of difference to the looks of the car, especially if you are looking at it from above.

No word on engine or other mechanical mods.

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I am sure you guys know what upskirts are. It’s OK we are among friends, we won’t think less of you if you know what it is.

Anyway Proton’s glamorous English subsidiary, Lotus Cars have pulled off the automotive equivalent of an automotive upskirt, showing off the front portion of their upcoming supercar’s chassis.

The new car, which the media is calling the Eagle, is suppose to offer proper supercar performance and take the mantle that was vacated by the Esprit years ago.

In keeping with Colin Chapman’s founding priciples, the Eagle will be light enough to fly and to show just how light the car will be, Lotus says that this bit of chassis on show tips the scale at 25 kilogrammes (without brakes and suspension bits).

This means that the car would not need a big engine to hurl it to supercar speeds.

Some estiamtes put the Eagle’s projected kerb weight at 1800 kilogrammes, but I think that the 2+2 will probably be nearer 1500kilos..

Can’t wait to see a proper Lotus supercar. We have just about enough of the endless variations of the Elise.

  

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Berjaya Corporation Bhd has signed a distribution agreement with Mazda Motor Corporation for the distribution and retail rights for the Mazda brand in Malaysia.

Berjaya Corporation Bhd via its subsidiary Bermaz Motor Sdn Bhd will enter into a share sale agreement with Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd, which is the current distributor of Mazda motor vehicles. The acquisition will involve the entire shareholding of Cycle & Carriage Bintang Bhd’s Hercules Automotive Engineers Sdn Bhd (the Mazda business operating company) for RM16.8mil. 

Berjaya Corporation Bhd previously holds the distribution and retails rights for Hyundai vehicles in Malaysia via Hyumal Motor Sdn Bhd before it was sold to Sime Darby Bhd. It now currently have three other motor business in the form of Quasar Carriage Sdn Bhd (Skoda), Nusa Otomobil Corporation Sdn Bhd (Mercedes Benz Vito and Sprinter) and Changan Berjaya Auto Sdn Bhd (Changan)

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The new R35 GT-R has created waves of awe the world over. While fans across the globe are still dreaming of seeing the vehicle in flesh; a fresh new development has just been leaked.  We are shocked to see a picture of the R35 GT-R in the form of an SUV very much like the Porsche Cayenne concept. A high powered performance SUV to cater to those who can’t decide to get a proper sports car or to get an SUV to ferry the kids around comfortably. 

Imagining a SUV with a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine producing 473hp barrelling down the North-South Highway send shivers down my spine. If Nissan decides to go ahead with the project, do you think this totally kills the GT-R personality?

Source: Best Car Magazine, Japan

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Many affluent families these days have three to four cars in the driveway. If you were to drive around in a high earning neighborhood, many homes will carry a car for the high paid executive dad, another for the professional working mother and a third for the fresh graduate son looking for some serious dating time with the right set of wheels. Only one manufacturer comes to mind when we consider filling up this family’s garage with 3 practical, well equipped, luxurious and also exciting vehicles. Mazda!

For the dad looking for a comfortable daily driver with style and power when needed, the new Mazda CX7 SUV makes great sense as it will be the perfect companion in the corporate car park and when necessary to take clients out for lunch there is enough comfort and space for 4 adults. When entertaining visiting clients from overseas this Mazda CX7 will swallow up luggage with ease when picking them up from the airport and also when the need arises to take them for a round of golf. With a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine mated to a silky 6-speed automatic transmission, this engine pumps out a generous 245bhp together with an impressive 350Nm, Step inside the cabin and you’ll find that a lot of emphasis has been placed on the driver inline with Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom concept. Excellent ergonomics, supportive seats, and great visibility help to mask the fact that you’re driving an SUV instead of a sports car. The dashboard is stylishly crafted and comes with a Japanese audio system, GPS, and even a television with controls that are straightforward to use. There is also a Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC), which is an adaptive cruise control using a forward firing radar sensor to measure your distance and speed from objects, stationary or otherwise. Located in front of the vehicle, it adjusts your cruising speed accordingly. What this means is that once you set your desired cruise speed and following distance, the only thing left to do is to steer as the car will accelerate and brake independently to maintain your speed. In the event that the vehicle in front of you slows to a halt, the MRCC will increase braking power while audibly alerting you. This stylish package can be your from just RM248,999. Now what about a Mazda for mum?

For the working mum, there can be no better vehicle than a MPV that not only looks stylish but also performs all the motherly tasks that working mothers try and cram in their hectic daily routines. Here the latest Mazda8 MPV comes to the rescue with its class leading looks and comfort. Priced from RM198,999 it has easy entry and exit making this Mazda8 popular with the fairer sex. Even more when its interior is capable of swallowing all the groceries at the hypermarket. Its rear twin sliding doors can be remotely controlled by the driver and is electric. A low loading sill allows for heavy items to be easily loaded on and off the rear even with the 3rd row in place. It also features a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine found in the CX7 that dad is driving. This means good performance even when fully loaded with the whole extended family on a visit from out of town. It also never looks out of place when mum uses it for meeting her clients and taking her ‘girlfriends’ for a high tea fashion show at a top hotel in the city.

We know that every young person wants a stylish desirable sports car. Brands like Ferrari and Porsche are always first to come to mind but not every one can afford to buy let alone maintain one of these high-end sports cars. So what about a car for their only son who has just returned from studying in Europe? For his new high paying job he will need a car that is not only stylish, but also fast, well built, handles like a dream and costs a fraction to own and maintain. Even better is its resale value. Taking in the least amount of deprecation of any sports car in the market today, the Mazda MX5 is an iconic sports car that has tested time over the last 19 years. Now in its 3rd generation, the latest MX5 from Mazda sticks to its original philosophy of being a fun car with performance elements thrown in for added value. With an impressive 2.0-liter engine that churns out 118kW of power and a very useable 188Nm of torque, this compact sports convertible returns great fuel economy for the owner. Priced from RM199,999 it offers the best open top motoring money can buy today in a package that will look right at home in a supercar carpark.

So now you have the whole picture. The Zoom-Zoom Mazda family that all have a Mazda product that they each can enjoy and also exchange when needed and not feel disappointed behind the wheel. Drop into your nearest Naza World showroom to be a part of the growing Mazda family.

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Toyota did not get to be so big and admired by following, the company has a knack for choosing the right image for itself and now the company is working hard on the Green image.

Every year they sponsor the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY)programme which is designed to promote environmental awareness among secondary school students. On the surface of it, this may seem like a half baked programme because the chances of it generating a totally new and breakthrough idea to save the world is pretty slim so why do they bother listening to schools talking about how to recycle canteen water for the fish pond to save a few litres?

The fact is, TEY is a great marketing tool and an important instructional programme that gets kids thinking about the environment and this, is really the first step in their effort to sell hybrid and other low emission vehicles.

Think about it. In about 10 years time when Hybrid or other form of low emission technology is all the rage, the thousands of kids who participated in the TEY are now comfortable with the idea that Toyota is a leader in environmentally sound car technoogy so when the ad-men pitch the idea to them it will meet with a lot less resistance.

This is also the same reason why Honda is sponsoring the WWF’s rhino conservation project.

To sell green cars you need green credentials and these companies are busy building those credentials for the future.

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Toyota plans to sell around 1 million hybrid cars a year in two years time and Honda is looking at a similar figure so the race is on to make hybrid technology cheap enough to make sense for most people and that race is about to hit the finish line right about now. Engineers will then take about two years to translate those solutions into a road going car by early next year (the latest) to make sure that the cars hti the market by end of 2009.

In fact I think the technology problems and cost issues have been resolved and they are now int eh final leg of engineering the road going hybrid cars tat will probably only cost slightly more than a normal petrol version.

Japanese carmakers are really piling their chips on Hybrid technology and at the same time they are hedging their bets with modern diesel but they know that the Europeans have pretty much cornered the diesel market and they need to forge a new path to market dominance and they have decided the future shall be hybrid.

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At the moment biofuels are hitting a very strong mental barrier as scientists and researchers seem to argue that these plant based fuel may put out more greenhouse gas than conventional hydrocarbon-based fuels if you measure the whole production cycle from planting to final use.

We don’t know whether these researchers and scientists are funded by the oil industry but it does seem unlikely for oil company to start slagging biofuels if they realise that they will not have any oil to offer anyway in about 100 years time. Unless of course they think that oil will last for another thousand years.

In any case biofuels will need to find a champion from the ranks of carmakers and so far only GM has come forward with a real plan to promote ethanol use in its cars. The Auto giant plans to sell E85 Ethanol mix at US0.85 per gallon and if this becomes reality the demand for ethanol will skyrocket.

It would be interesting to see whether this subsidy plan will skew the demand for corn and other grains so much that it affects the food market and how consumers will react to it.

I think that we cannot avoid a future situation where arable land and crops will find competing markets in food and fuel and this pressure will force us to become more energy efficient, unless if we think lunch should be permanently optional.

In the meantime most of us will happily fill up with petrol and we need cars that are as frugal as possible with fuel and hybrid technology is certainly one workable solution although the technology needs a lot of work to actually help us save fuel.

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A police Civic Hybrid spotted in Sungai Petani, the force is probably using it to gauge the suitability and robustness of the technology for future use

Our test of the Honda Civic Hybrid shows that in order to gain the maximum fuel-saving potential of the car you have to be very light footed and be constantly paying attention to the recharge-assist dial and teach yourself to be a green driver.

We are looking forwaad to Toyota bringing the Prius to the local market but that may be some time away since these products are clearly not moneymakers Honda is selling it only as a brand builder.

The time is not far when we will all have to consider very carefully the fuel consumption figures to make sure that both our fuel and food bill does not increase.

As it is, even with the generous Government subsidy, we are all feeling the pinch of increasing energy cost.

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Malaysia needs to formulate a coherent energy policy soon if we want to have a clear idea how we are going to manage our needs for the future. An energy policy is not a strictly Green issue or initiative, it is an important strategic plan for the country’s security and competitiveness in the coming decades. We will see the urgent need for a green economy within our lifetime. It is that urgent.

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