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Ford Focus Roadshow at 1-Utama– A chance to View the new Ford Focus

Petaling Jaya, 9 September 2005 – Ford fans who have been waiting to see the new Ford can have their wishes granted. Between now and the end of this week, you can take a trip to the new wing of the 1-Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya to check out the Focus 1.8 litre 4-door sedan. Test drives are also available for those who want to have a feel of what it is like behind the steering wheel. For kids, there is a driving ‘simulator’ for you to check out the car virtually.

The Focus Roadshow is Ford Malaysia’s ‘Bending the Rules’, doing something unconventional to bring the car to the motoring public. After a successful weekend in Kuantan, the show moved to 1-Utama.

What is unique about the Roadshow is that there is a display car placed on a truck trailer decked out as a mobile showroom. Besides the car, there are plasma screens that showcase the racing and rallying heritage of the Focus.

The Focus Roadshow at 1-Utama was officially launched by Alex Chang, Director Motor Group, Ford Operations, this morning. Commenting on the great success of the previous weekend when scores of people lined up to test drive the Focus, he said, “The interest in the Focus reaffirms our confidence that this is the car that Malaysians are looking for. They want the very best combination, and the Focus offers it, European styling, German engineering, and superior road handling.”

The Ford Focus 1.8 Sedan is one of two models to be introduced in Malaysia, and will be in showrooms by mid-September. The other is the 5-door Ford Focus Sport that will be launched a little later

The schedule for the next two appearances is as follows:-

Penang: 23 – 25 September, at Juru Autocity

Johor Baru: 30 Sep – 2 Oct, Danga Bay Car Park, JB


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Land Rovers in Dubai – Of Sand Dunes, Desert Heat, Castles and Kings

“How would you like to drive a Range Rover through the desert in Dubai?” asked the representative of Land Rover Malaysia. “You will get to drive the new Discovery 3 and also the Range Rover Sport at the same time. In addition to that, you will also get a cruise on a luxury yacht, stay in a palace, and get a helicopter ride back to Dubai,” he added.

That was like asking a cat if it would like to have a juicy fish. Of course I said yes, and before I knew it, the day arrived, and I was on my way. There was just two of us, myself, and another 4WD veteran from a well-known local publication.

Only when we arrived did we realize that this Land Rover experience would be shared by motoring media from Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong too. All of us flew from our native countries into Dubai, the commercial centre of the UAE. Although we arrived at midnight, we found Dubai airport teeming with activity. We were promptly whisked to the Grosvenor House hotel, a tall and imposing building along the coastline, new, but already being threatened by newer and taller buildings sprouting up beside it; there is so much development going on in Dubai, it looks as if every one is trying to outdo each other. Dubai is growing at a pace that has to be seen to be believed; 80 percent of the residents are foreigners, brought in for the construction of new malls, houses, hotels, office buildings and whatever else that needs building, and then some. Walk into any restaurant, or mall or hotel, and you will note that most of the employees are foreigners, and you soon learn that asking a person where he or she is from is a swell way to strike up a conversation. Such is the draw of oil money, that people from the surrounding areas such as India, Pakistan, Africa, and from faraway places such as New Zealand, America, Europe and Asia are flocking over to get a piece of the pie.

Construction is everywhere, so much so that it seems a game of rich Middle Eastern billionaires swimming in oil money trying to spend it all before they run out of space to keep the cash that is pouring in by the barrel. It is here too that Land Rover have their third largest market for Land Rovers and Range Rovers, because of the high affordability level that these luxury SUVs require. And the sand of the desert is their playground. It is here that Land Rover want us to sample the lifestyle, the rich and opulent lifestyle of the insanely rich. We even passed by a sign at a new housing area that proudly proclaimed, “From Sand Into a City”.

Bright and early next morning, we get up and have breakfast; I had mine in the coffee house, and it was a grand affair, with an international buffet spread. I had a typical English breakfast, bacon and eggs, fried mushrooms, and tomatoes, toast and butter, and of course English tea. And yes, there was a non-halal section, as the Grosvenor House is an international hotel. Little did I know that the Land Rover-arranged breakfast was in another room, and paying the bill of 95 Durhams (about RM95.00) was the punishment.

We step out into the courtyard where the Land Rover staff are standing by with a whole bunch of luxury Land Rovers, and the first thing that hits you is a wall of hot air; it’s like stepping into a hot oven. Your sweat evaporates as fast as it comes out through your pores, so you don’t get your shirt wet like in Malaysia, and our hosts tell us to drink plenty of water or else we will dehydrate and die.

Trust me, you don’t want to stand around arguing about anything; you get into whatever vehicle you are allocated, and feel thankful for that little thing called the air-conditioner. Our first vehicle was the brand new Range Rover Sport, and to me the most important part of the vehicle was the air-conditioner, without which I probably would have melted. Throughout the day, I think the engine was not ever switched off, including the time we stopped for lunch.

After approximately an hour of driving (in convoy, and at 80 to 100 km/hr, yawn!) we arrived at the Al Maha Desert Preserve, a vast expanse of desert, fenced off to retain its original form, much like what we do here with our forests, except that here, you see nothing much other than sand. It was here that we got to drive for one and a half hours over sand dunes and little wadis.

We took the scenic route, and it is here that I learn from our very pleasant guide, James Burns, a direct descendant of the famous poet Robert Burns, who hails all the way from Scotland, that in order to get traction when following in another vehicle’s tracks the best way is to put your wheels a little to one side of the tracks made by the vehicle in front. This is in contrast to what we practice when moving in convoy through muddy patches in our rainforests. Here, we are taught to follow in the tracks of the vehicle in front so that our tyres can gnaw at the solid ground under all the muck.

After much fun, with vehicle changes along the way, it was all too soon that we arrived at the Al Maha Desert resort, a hotel built in the middle of the desert preserve. It must be for tourists, because we know the locals have all flocked to Batu Ferringhi in Penang since it is now the height of summer, and temperatures are in the high forties or fifties, and that’s in the shade.

Lunch was a traditional Turkish affair, with breads, kebabs and other spicy foods, topped off by sweet desserts and fruits.

After lunch, it was back on the road again, and this time it was our turn to take the Range Rover. The route followed a highway so straight that you could easily lay some sleepers and some rails on it to convert it into a railway. With a speed limit of 80, and a ticket if you exceed 120, and a lead car going at 90, (it’s in km/hr), plus a no-overtaking rule, it was quite a chore keeping my eyes open after the lunch, and I was quite happy to give up the wheel at the next designated stop. The highlight of the hour was a short stop by the side of the road, which happened to have a whole bunch of date palms, with dates on them. Date palms are commonly planted along the roads, and since these were only a few feet tall, it was fairly easy to pluck a few and eat them on the way.

The next rest stop was atop a man-made hill, bulldozed together from the desert sand and rocks to make a platform on which a reservoir is to be built. About a half kilometre away there is another one and another one next to it. Apparently there is a major plan to irrigate the desert and turn it into farmlands. We see some greens already planted in the distance. Surprise of the day is a Land Rover on top of the hill waiting to welcome us with Hagendas ice cream. Eating ice cream in the desert is a strange experience. Your body goes schizophrenic: you get brain-freeze from the ice-cream in your mouth, and heat stroke on your skin from the hot air blowing at you.

Changing cars again, this time to a Discovery Three, we soon reached the coast, and there it was, a luxury yacht waiting for us. It was goodbye to the crew and hello, skipper, and were on our way across the sea towards Abu Dhabi. The fittings in the yacht are top of the pile, and the owner must be worth quite a bundle.

After an hour or so, we go past a small headland, and there before us is the grandest hotel in all of Abu Dhabi, rightly called the Emirates Palace. We land opposite the hotel, and there to take us to the front entrance is our next mode of transport, the golf buggy. There is only one word to describe the hotel: opulent. I figure the break-even point on the investment would only come by in about three lifetimes. ROI probably really didn’t matter; it’s really about having the biggest and the best, perhaps for the bragging rights. Everything is first class; the welcome drink is a bottle of champagne, and all the drinks in the mini bar are ‘complimentary’, probably worked into the ransom it must have cost for the room. There is a personal butler for each room, and there was also an offer to run a bath with special therapeutic salts, herbs and flower petals added at 75 Durhams (about RM75), which I of course declined.

Dinner that night stretched for 3 hours, but I was so tired I retired just after the main course arrived about 2 hours after the start. It was an elaborate meal, which I was told could go on for four or five hours. The record is six hours. The next morning, I was told our dinner ended at midnight.

Next day, it was breakfast, and check-out, followed by a half hour ride back to Dubai in a Bell 412 helicopter, which landed within a stone’s throw of the Grosvenor House hotel. We were given the afternoon off, and we spent it in a modern ‘bazaar’-like shopping mall that turned out to be a tourist trap. We moved to a regular mall to look for some dates (the kind that grows on date palms), but found that most of the best dates were imports from Tunisia. They had a little tray that had ‘fresh’ dates, but they looked more like what the cat dragged in, being the remnants of a once full tray from which the best have been taken out. So it was imported dates that went into my rucksack for bringing home.

Back on the plane, I reflect, “So this is how the rich and famous spend their time and money and have fun driving their Range Rovers and Discovery Threes around eh? To me, it was a very interesting experience. I enjoyed the driving part, especially the part where I learnt how to crest a dune properly, and how not to get stuck by driving beside the tracks of the car in front and not in them. If I have any misgivings at all, the drive was too short. However, even the short stint has convinced me that the Land Rovers are all well suited for the job, and what you use would depend on which model fits the size of your pocketbook. Their off-road capabilities are real, not in any way diminished by the fact that they are highly appointed luxury vehicles. Here’s looking forward to the next one, and thank you, Land Rover!

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ALL-NEW RIO EXPECTED TO BOOST NAZA KIA SALES

Subcompact Car offers Value for Money – Better Power,
Larger Interior Space, Smoother Ride & Improved Handling

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 September 2005 – The all-new subcompact Kia Rio, launched today by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd (Naza Kia) in association with Kia Motors Corporation (KMC), is expected to boost Naza Kia’s sales and help the company to achieve its overall sales target of 35,000 units this year.

The all-new Rio is a 5-door hatchback, and features a longer wheelbase, a wider track and more horsepower than its predecessor for better handling, a smoother ride and improved performance.

Naza Group of Companies Group Managing Director Tan Sri Dato’ Seri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin said, “With improved quality, fresher appearance and better power, the new Rio will definitely meet the rising expectations of customers who expect more from Kia.”

He said that the new Rio was styled to attract image conscious, modern consumers and was a car that perfectly matches Kia’s ‘Power to Surprise’ brand aspirations.

“The 5-door hatchback segment is one of Malaysia’s largest, accounting for more than 24 per cent of total 2004 Non-National Passenger Car sales in Malaysia.”

“We believe Kia Rio will boost Naza Kia sales and we are confident of achieving the overall sales target of 35,000 units,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Seri SM Nasimuddin.

The new Rio is designed and engineered to offer customers more space, more power, higher performance, better handling, a smoother ride and enhanced fuel economy.

It is a ‘next-generation’ Kia that builds on the enormous progress Kia has made in the last two years with the Sorento, Picanto, Cerato and new Sportage.

In addition, it is a high-quality rival to match or surpass the best products from famous European brands in its segment. Kia has created a superb compact car that is more stylish, practical and more enjoyable to drive than its predecessor.

A Distinguishing New Look & Sportier Finish

Designed to stand out from the crowd in the entry-level segment, the all-new Rio’s European-inspired exterior design radiates a youthful personality.

Built on a new platform with a longer wheelbase (+90mm) and increased overall width (+15mm) and height (+50mm) compared to its predecessor and most of its competitors, the new Rio offers a spacious interior package, with a boot space of 448 litres, extendable to 1405 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The all-new Rio’s exterior design refinements is claimed to provide a more athletic stance and a more significant, yet modern appearance to the vehicle.

Changes to the front of the Rio include an aggressively styled black mesh grille, swept-back headlamps and bumpers with black inserts.

A distinctive black body side molding runs the length of both the front and rear doors and ties into the black inserts on the bumpers creating a unified look with a subtle wedge shape. Sculpted arches at each fender contribute to the Rio’s wide, assertive stance.

The new Rio will be available in a choice of four exciting exterior colours – Midnight Black, Sunset Orange, Sapphire and Polar Silver. It also comes equipped with a Kenwood WMA/MP3 CD Tuner.

In addition, customers in Malaysia will enjoy the ownership of a special themed ‘Sporty Pack’, which means the Rio comes with sporty mesh fabric seats and metal trim pedals.

Improved Performance

With increased horsepower and torque with reduced emissions from the previous generation vehicle, the all-new Rio offers improved class leading performance, due to its new 1.4-liter DOHC 16-valve engine, producing 94PS at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 12.7 kg-m (124.5 Nm).

Matched to this engine is a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission
Stopping power is improved over the current model by the inclusion of larger diameter ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes. It is also equipped with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD).

Better Handling, Smoother Ride & Safety First

Suspension consists of independent front MacPherson struts and a semi-independent torsion beam rear. Tuning of the suspension supposedly is a balance between a comfortable ride and responsive handling.
Rack and pinion steering is standard issue, and front and rear stabiliser bars help to keep the handling decent.
The Rio’s wider track and longer wheelbase should provide a better stance and better handling characteristics over the previous generation Rio. The longer wheelbase also means more space for rear seat passengers.

Brakes are ventilated discs in front, and solid discs at the rear. With a curb weight of 1,101 kg, the claimed fuel consumption is 7.2 litre per 100 kilometres, with a high of 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres for urban usage. Zero to hundred time is claimed at 14.5 seconds, and top speed is 168 kilometres per hour.

Price on-the-road: RM75,000.00

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New Mitsubishi Colt – The Return of Mitsubishi to Malaysia

Having recently made a comeback to Malaysia, Mitsubishi, through their local distributors, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, a joint venture between DRB-HICOM Berhad and Mitsubishi, is offering, amongst other models, the very interesting Colt, a small MPV-like city run-about that features the latest 1.5 litre Mivec DOHC engine and CVT.

The new Colt was, created in Europe, (in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler, part owner of Mitsubishi), with what Mitsubishi describes as a ‘one-motion form’, which flows smoothly from the front bumper to the rear. In layman language, it means the Colt is basically a two-box shape made to look line ‘one-box’ by smoothening out the transition between the engine bonnet and the rest of the fuselage. The overall effect is pleasing to the eye, although I personally think larger wheels would make it look more balanced.

In terms of size, it is a super-mini, with an overall length of 3885mm, overall width of 1680mm, and an overall height of 1550mm. Wheelbase is 2500mm, with a track of 1460mm at the front, and 1445mm at the rear.

The Colt is a 5-seater, although the rear would be a bit cramped for the middle passenger. To be fair, the seat arrangements are very flexible, and they can be split, folded, and tucked away in many configurations to allow for storage of long and bulky items. Upholstery is fabric. The seats themselves are quite comfortable, and are contoured somewhat to help hold the occupants, but of course our test-drive was a little too short to really feel them.

For those who travel around a lot, there is some good news. The Colt’s interior fittings incorporate many thoughtful features; an under-tray compartment under the front passenger seat for stowing stuff, cup holders and bottle holders, pockets for knick-knacks, a handy hook for hanging shopping bags, and yes, there is even an illuminated glove box.

In terms of safety, there are two SRS airbags, and built-in impact absorbing features in the frame help to protect passengers in the event of a collision. The power windows are ‘anti-trapping’, meaning that they will stop and reverse if the glass encounters an obstruction while closing.

For couples with little children, the rear seats are fitted with ISO-FIX child safety seat anchors.

Powered by an aluminium 1.5 litre MIVEC (read variable valve timing) DOHC 16-valve engine, the Colt delvers a respectable 105PS at 6000 rpm, and 141Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. This power is transferred to the road through a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

On the road, the engine feels very responsive; driven sedately, the CVT is a smooth and seamless gearbox, its constantly variable ratios adapting to stop-start situations and varying loads extremely well. However, over exuberant drivers may find it somewhat disconcerting to have the engine holding 6000 rpm consistently as the CVT builds up the speed. My drive partner and I managed to hit 180 km/hr before we ran out of road.

One glaring point about the Colt is its gearshift lever, which is located to the left of the steering wheel, attached to the steering column. It has the standard auto positions for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive, and does not have any option for manual shift. Clearly, this model is for the ‘family’ type, even though it has a Mivec engine.

Suspension is independent McPherson struts in the front, and a torsion bar at the rear, a set-up that is quite popular in cars in this range. There is a stabilizer bar both at the front and rear. Brakes are ventilated discs at the front, and alas, drums at the rear. The wheels are 14-inch with 175/65 R14 tyres. Steering is rack and pinion with power assist.

Handling is quite good, but getting to the limit of the 14-inch tyres is very easy, and they start protesting before long. I would go for 15s if I ever bought one of these. The Colt retails for RM120k.


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New Mitsubishi Colt – The Return of Mitsubishi to Malaysia

Having recently made a comeback to Malaysia, Mitsubishi, through their local distributors, Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia, a joint venture between DRB-HICOM Berhad and Mitsubishi, is offering, amongst other models, the very interesting Colt, a small MPV-like city run-about that features the latest 1.5 litre Mivec DOHC engine and CVT.

The new Colt was, created in Europe, (in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler, part owner of Mitsubishi), with what Mitsubishi describes as a ‘one-motion form’, which flows smoothly from the front bumper to the rear. In layman language, it means the Colt is basically a two-box shape made to look line ‘one-box’ by smoothening out the transition between the engine bonnet and the rest of the fuselage. The overall effect is pleasing to the eye, although I personally think larger wheels would make it look more balanced.

In terms of size, it is a super-mini, with an overall length of 3885mm, overall width of 1680mm, and an overall height of 1550mm. Wheelbase is 2500mm, with a track of 1460mm at the front, and 1445mm at the rear.

The Colt is a 5-seater, although the rear would be a bit cramped for the middle passenger. To be fair, the seat arrangements are very flexible, and they can be split, folded, and tucked away in many configurations to allow for storage of long and bulky items. Upholstery is fabric. The seats themselves are quite comfortable, and are contoured somewhat to help hold the occupants, but of course our test-drive was a little too short to really feel them.

For those who travel around a lot, there is some good news. The Colt’s interior fittings incorporate many thoughtful features; an under-tray compartment under the front passenger seat for stowing stuff, cup holders and bottle holders, pockets for knick-knacks, a handy hook for hanging shopping bags, and yes, there is even an illuminated glove box.

In terms of safety, there are two SRS airbags, and built-in impact absorbing features in the frame help to protect passengers in the event of a collision. The power windows are ‘anti-trapping’, meaning that they will stop and reverse if the glass encounters an obstruction while closing.

For couples with little children, the rear seats are fitted with ISO-FIX child safety seat anchors.

Powered by an aluminium 1.5 litre MIVEC (read variable valve timing) DOHC 16-valve engine, the Colt delvers a respectable 105PS at 6000 rpm, and 141Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. This power is transferred to the road through a CVT (continuously variable transmission).

On the road, the engine feels very responsive; driven sedately, the CVT is a smooth and seamless gearbox, its constantly variable ratios adapting to stop-start situations and varying loads extremely well. However, over exuberant drivers may find it somewhat disconcerting to have the engine holding 6000 rpm consistently as the CVT builds up the speed. My drive partner and I managed to hit 180 km/hr before we ran out of road.

One glaring point about the Colt is its gearshift lever, which is located to the left of the steering wheel, attached to the steering column. It has the standard auto positions for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive, and does not have any option for manual shift. Clearly, this model is for the ‘family’ type, even though it has a Mivec engine.

Suspension is independent McPherson struts in the front, and a torsion bar at the rear, a set-up that is quite popular in cars in this range. There is a stabilizer bar both at the front and rear. Brakes are ventilated discs at the front, and alas, drums at the rear. The wheels are 14-inch with 175/65 R14 tyres. Steering is rack and pinion with power assist.

Handling is quite good, but getting to the limit of the 14-inch tyres is very easy, and they start protesting before long. I would go for 15s if I ever bought one of these. The Colt retails for RM120k.


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Mercedes-Benz Launches New Luxury Coupe Icon – The CLS-Class in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, 2 September 2005: Daimler Chrysler Malaysia Berhad launched the CLS-Class, putting forth a new icon for the luxurious car market. This unique four-door coupe-style concept is something that the rich and famous can now look forward to being seen in. The CLS-Class certainly looks more low-slung and sporty in comparison to the mainstream Mercedes-Benz’s that everybody else would have.

Whereas an SLK might portray a ‘frivolous’ or too young an image, the CLS would not appear out of place at a business rendezvous, nor would it appear to be overly staid at a holiday resort.

Chic, luxurious and sophisticated, the CLS-Class combines leading edge Mercedes Benz technology, impressive driving dynamics and boasts of the finest selection of materials in its interior.

“The concept, design and technology of the new CLS-Class are particularly aiming at people who have a passion for style, motor cars and motoring. In other words, the new CLS is the Mercedes-Benz for the connoisseur, who seeks and appreciates the really special things in life,” said Konstantinos Tsiknas, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, DaimlerChrysler Malaysia.

“With the new CLS, Mercedes-Benz is once again moving a whole automobile generation ahead of the rest. This model will strengthen our leadership in the luxury car segment in Malaysia,” he added.

The core of the CLS is under the hood. The engine range available for this model includes two powerful petrol units; in the CLS 350, a newly developed 3.5 litre V6 comes with 200 kW /272 hp, and in the CLS 55 AMG, the power plant is the muscular 5.5 litre V8, engine developing a massive 350 kW/476 hp of power.

Coupled to the engine is an awesome 7G-TRONIC transmission with seven forward speeds. This combination allows the CLS to achieve top-class values for acceleration and fuel consumption – 7.0 seconds from zero to 100 km/hr, and 10.1 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined consumption).

First presented at the Frankfurt Motorshow 2003 as the design concept “Vision CLS” , the enthusiastic public response to the coupe-style rendition encouraged the management in Stuttgart to give it the green light for production.

The CLS seems to be able to reconcile seemingly contradictory characteristics such as dynamism and size, power and elegance, aesthetic appeal and practicality. It is large, yet appears to be sporty and elegant at the same time.

The front end design is new, but one will never mistake it for another brand; the Mercedes-Benz face and DNA is ever present in the typical slatted radiator grille with a centrally positioned Mercedes Star. The bonnet rolls back smoothly all the way to the low-slung windscreen, giving the CLS a wedge-shaped and sleek profile. The side glass area is deliberately made to look smaller, a combination achieved by lowering the roof and raising the waistline; this type of look was popular in the fifties. Interestingly, the windows are frameless, a typical feature in a coupe.

The interior of the CLS was designed in the DaimlerChrysler Advanced Design Studio in Como near Milan, Italy, one of three design studios owned by DaimlerChrysler. Opulent use of leather and fine wood finish, again something that was popular a half century ago, give it that extra touch of class. Single seats in the rear, in addition to the front buckets make the CLS a four seater. A tilt /slide sunroof is standard equipment.

From the onset, the CLS is designed as a driver’s car, with push-buttons located on the steering for changing gears, and also a keyless entry and starting system that allows the driver to unlock the vehicle and start off without actually having to insert the key.

The CLS also comes with AIRMATIC DC, the latest development of the air suspension Mercedes uses in its S-Class. The ‘DC ‘ stands for ‘Dual Control’ and emphasizes the dual function of the system, which now emphasises the dual function of the system, which now uses the latest micro-electronics to control springing and damping. When taking a bend at speed or under other demanding conditions, the system stiffens the outside shock absorbers to reduce rolling and pitching movements to improve the handling stability of the vehicle. Airmatic DC also includes an automatic all-round level control system which ensures that the same spring travel remains available even when the vehicle is heavily laden.

The CLS 350 is offered in Malaysia in two versions. For RM688,888 (price on-the-road without insurance), you get the base model without the Distronic proximity control system, Airmatic DC air suspension, and the Logic7 sound system, and 17 inch instead of 18 inch wheels. For the extras, you will need to pay and additional RM50k.

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Honda Malaysia Racing Team Achieves 1st Position in Class A and 2nd Position in Overall Race

Sepang, August 26, 2005 – The 2005 Merdeka Millennium Endurance Race ended on a happy note for the Honda Malaysia Racing Team members when they once again won the 1st position in Class A, which is the category for production sports cars.

The team has defended its Class A championship title for 3 consecutive years since 2003.

In this category, Honda Malaysia Racing Team’s Car No.27, which comprised of Hiroki Katoh, Eddie Lew and Farriz Fauzy, won the first position with a completion of 278 laps.

For the overall race, the Honda Malaysia Racing Team made it to 2nd position.

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Modenas gets Aggressive with Elit Sports

Subang Jaya, Saturday August 27th 2005 – Modenas today launched its 10th model, the Elit Sports, which revs up the motorcycle and engine manufacturer’s stable by building on the strength of its Elit 125 and 150 scooters.

The new Elit Sports is powered by a 150 cc, four-stroke engine that has been tuned to deliver more power and torque, resulting in better acceleration. It also features a larger fuel tank for a longer range.

The dynamic and stylish design is complemented with sporty 12-inch alloy rims, wide tyres and a steel frame for comfortable and stable riding. Front brakes are discs, a large headlamp provides better visibility at night. The taillight is also larger for better visibility, while the wheelbase is long for better handling.

“The Sports edition is the tangible result of our customers’ requests for a sportier version of Modenas’ already popular Elit scooter, and we have no doubt that it will be a very popular option,” said Modenas Chief Executive Officer Datuk Rashid Din.

“The ability of Modenas to develop and produce motorcycles in response to the requirements of our market which appeal to them attests to the capabilities that lie within the company,” he added.

Modenas was established in 1995 in tandem with Malaysia’s efforts to industrialise, with the task of spearheading the transfer of technology and development of motorcycle manufacturing, and eventually enable the country to proudly produce indigenous motorcycles.

As of August 2005, Modenas has produced 870,000 motorcycles and scooters, making it one of the largest manufacturers in this category and the Elit Sports is the latest model to roll out of its factory in Gurun, Kedah. The Elit Sports is part of an aggressive strategy by Modenas to capture a greater share of the domestic scooter market while increasing exports.

“We expect to achieve a total of one million units by 2006 and the Elit Sports is expected to contribute to this level of production with projected sales of 3,000 units by end of 2005 and another 6,000 units in 2006,” said Rashid.

“Despite increasing competition, Modenas will not compromise on the quality of our products. What we will focus on is increasing production efficiency by raising local component content continuously improving on the designs and offering our customers very competitive pricing,” he added.

The Modenas Elit Sports retails for RM5, 888.00, and is available from all dealers with immediate effect.

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Toyota Fortuner Out to Carve new niche with Full-time 4WD SUV

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, the local distributors of the Toyota brand are out to carve itself a new niche in the market with the launch of the all new Toyota Fortuner, a full time 4WD SUV that can seat up to seven in comfort.

The Fortuner in this configuration, assembled locally, represents an industry first, and is the third and last offering under the IMV project after the successful launch of the Hilux and the Innova. All three models share a common platform, and are part of Toyota Motor Corporation’s move to develop, design and manufacture vehicles outside of Japan.

The Fortuner has been long awaited by the eager Malaysian public, and it looks like it will set a new benchmark for SUV’s here.

Managing Director of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd, the distributor of Toyota vehicles, said the company is targeted to sell 1,800 units of the Toyota Fortuner in the next 12 months, and he added that the company was confident in capturing and maintaining a strong demand for this vehicle from customers in Peninsular and East Malaysia.

“We are pleased to introduce the new Toyota Fortuner, a premium 7-seater Urban SUV positioned to add a great deal of excitement in the market. It is targeted to the sophisticated urbanite who is seeking for a vehicle that blends the essence of style, performance, technology and luxury into an incomparable package,” he added.

The Fortuner is available in two model variants: a 2.7V, petrol engined full time 4X4 Automatic, and a 2.5G, diesel powered full-time 4X4 manual. Riding on the tagline “The World is Mine”, Toyota says it represents the feeling one would get from owning one of these units.

The 2.7V petrol engine features VVT-I, (Variable Valve Timing) and delivers 118kW (160 ps) of power at 5,200 rpm, and a maximum torque of 241 Nm at 3,800 rpm. The 2.5G Diesel is a Common Rail Diesel Turbo engine developing 75 kW (102 ps) at 3,600 rpm, and 260Nm of torque peaking at between 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.

David Chen also pointed out that although the Fortuner, Innova and Hilux all share a common platform, the Fortuner has a totally different design, aimed at giving the vehicle an advanced and stylish look that conveys the impression of power and durability, besides being eye-catching in an urban environment.

In terms of design, one could say the Fortuner is to the Hilux, what the Everest is to the Ranger, but whereas the Everest is very much like the Ranger other than the full SUV body behind the cab, the Fortuner’s looks appear to be Lexus Harrier-inspired, and would appeal to city-slickers. However, the Harrier DNA only goes as far as looks are concerned, as the Fortuner is of body-on-frame construction, with a ladder frame forming the backbone of the vehicle.

Being full-time 4X4 gives the Fortuner positive traction at all times, and comes with a Torsen LSD (Torque sensing Limited Slip Differential) that distributes drive between front and rear axles. This Torsen differential can be ‘locked’ to provide 50:50 torque split between front and rear axles for muddy conditions or on steep slopes where maximum traction is required. Other than the normal High range, a Low range set of gears for off-road driving, activated by a second gearshift lever, is available. However, engagement of the low range is only possible at speeds below 8 km/hr (no shifting on-the-fly) or with the vehicle at a standstill.

The 4-speed automatic transmission is available only with the petrol-powered 2.7V, while the 2.5G Diesel is only available with a 5-speed manual. When asked whether the 2.5G Diesel would be available with an automatic transmission, strangely, the reply was that according to UMW Toyota’s market studies, the automatic would not be popular amongst diesel users. Industry observers, however, feel that a diesel model with the Hilux drive train would go down quite well here. Technically this configuration is feasible as the platforms are basically the same.

Suspension is coil springs for front and rear, with independent double wishbones at the front, and a five-link solid rear axle (including panhard rod). Brakes are ventilated discs in the front, and drums at the rear.

The 2.7G (petrol) Automatic retails for RM183, 000 (Price on-the-road) , while the 2.5G (Diesel) is priced at RM166, 000 (price on-the-road).

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On 17th May 2005, MZ Germany presented a sample of the MZ 1000ST Police Bike to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his visit to Germany.

Today, MZ completed the handover at the Prime Minister Office, Putra Perdana, witnessed by Dato’ Mohamed Thajudeen, Chief Private Secretary to the Prime Minister and Dato’ Ahmad Nazri, Assistant Chief Private Secretary to the PM.

The 1000 superbike was handed over personally by MZ Motorrad Managing Director, Mr. Quah T K. Also present during the ceremony was MZ General Manager, Mr. Phua S Y.
The last 40 km journey ride from MZ Motorrad factory in Shah Alam to Putrajaya was quite a breath taking experience. Handled by an experienced superbike rider, MZ Production Manager, Mohamad Huzaini revved the bike at permitted speed of 110kph to reach the destination in just over 15 minutes. The bike allows both top speeds of up to 230 kph for pursuit as well as walking speed for motorcades and patrols.

The MZ 1000ST Police Bike is based on the recently launched MZ 1000 ST SuperTraveller and is powered by the MZ 1000-R2 in-line 2-cylinder engine that is optimum for police use. The comfortable upright seating position enables the rider to keep full view of the surrounding area as well as to exude a certain authority. With a storage system that can carry a payload of 25 kg, the bike offers plenty of space for police equipment and can be customized to the specific need of the police. In addition, the bike is fitted with crash bars, sirens and blue flash lights.

MZ will be very pleased and honoured to be a supplier to the Malaysian police and hopes that the MZ 1000 ST will be positively evaluated by the Malaysian Police and that it would meet their requirements. The MZ 1000ST Police Bike will be used during this year’s Merdeka celebration motorcade for Federal Territory region.

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