1953 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible

The Corvette made its debut in 1953, and is widely considered "America's Sports Car". Its origins date back to the end of World War II, when returning GIs sang the praises of the lithe sports cars they had seen overseas, such as MGs, Jaguars, and Alfa Romeos. GM designer Harley Earl, always quick to sense a trend, convinced GM to create its own original sports car. Earl chose fiberglass for the body, making Chevrolet the first big company to use the new miracle material in a mass production vehicle. Mechanically, the early 'Vettes used mostly off the shelf components, including a modified "Blue Flame" six cylinder engine. Corvette prototypes made a huge impression at the auto shows, and from this, a legend was born.

Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept

Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept, a design study model, demonstrates a unique fusion of advanced environmental technology, futuristic styling and fun-to-drive characteristics.

Conceived around a front-wheel drive, small car platform and the hybrid is powered by a Honda IMA 4-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid system driving through a CVT transmission. It explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car.

Aerodynamically efficient and curvaceous, the two-door sports coupe have short front and rear overhangs. Fluid lines are created by a steeply raked windscreen which extends back above the occupants' heads where it meets a one piece glass roof. This in turn flows rearwards to give the car its fastback styling, terminating in a distinctive and futuristic 3D floating glass design – a concave element which forms an additional vertical window.

The Hybrid Sports Concept is equipped with 165/60 section tyres mounted on 20inch distinctive alloys. Such wheel dimension supports low rolling resistance without compromising sporty driving. With a sports suspension holding up a 2350mm wheelbase, this Honda concept delivers stable and predictable handling characteristics.

Rear-facing digital cameras take the place of conventional door mirrors. The Small Hybrid Sports Concept has been developed as a design study model by the design studio at Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany.

1953 M.G. TD

American soldiers stationed in London during WWII were excited by the many sports cars they saw, including MG's similar to this 1953 M.G. TD. The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird drew much of their inspiration from these nimble, exciting cars.

1956 Ford Thunderbird

The genesis of the Ford Thunderbird can be traced back to the end of World War II. Many American GIs stationed in England during the war acquired a taste for the sleek and agile MGs and Jaguars. Chevy answered the call with its famous Corvette, prompting Ford's brilliant response. The Thunderbird is somewhat less sporting than the Corvette, but more comfortable and luxurious. It's plenty potent, however, with a 285 hp V-8.

1940 Packard Super Eight 160

Packards in the 1930s and 1940s were the last word in luxury, refinement and mechanical excellence. Sadly, they went out of business in the late 1950s.

1991 Chrysler 300 Concept Car V10

The Chrysler 300 concept car is the direct spiritual descendant of the original Chrysler 300 series from the '50s. It combines the features of an ultra-luxury car with blistering performance, thanks in part to an 8-liter V-1 0 "Copperhead" engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. With its striking good looks, the Chrysler 300 Concept Car helped blaze a path for Chrysler's styling in the 1990's, including the Viper and LH series.

Mercedes-Benz C-For Yourself Video Ad

This is an ad for the new C-Class (W204) featuring Vodafone McLaren Mercedes-Benz F1 driver, Fernando Alonso. Enjoy!

2008 C-Class (W204) Video

W204 C-Class Preview at Cycle & Carriage Bintang, Kuala Lumpur

By Dr Long

A W204 C200K Elegance was previewed at Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) showroom in Ampang (Tun Razak/U-Thant), Kuala Lumpur today. I must admit the new C-Class looked very stately and elegant in the metal. It is spacious up front, much better than the W203. Quality is back where it should be and up to the good-old 3-pointed star standards, with stitched leathers even on the door trim. Rear legroom is adequate with comfy seating and ergonomics.

Prices are still unfinalised (pending final approval by the authorities) but CCB' order books are running into the hundreds now. Some are expecting the Elegance-spec C200K to be slightly below RM260k, with C200K Avantgarde (possibly RM10k extra) deliveries likely only in 2008. Mercedes fans can look forward to the C230 2.5 V6 Avantgarde only sometime Q2 next year.

Click on images to enlarge

The preview dates for the new 'C-for yourself' showcase at CCB are:

-Sept 25 – CCB U Thant/Tun Razak Branch at 7 pm

-Sept 27 – CCB Mutiara Damansara at 7 pm

-Sept 29 (Saturday) – full day at CCB PJ (Federal highway)

Honda Civic Type-R (2007) hatch + Civic EP3 + Edix = All-new Honda Jazz/Fit!

Here are some of the early images of 2008 Honda Fit/Jazz leaked onto the web, ahead of its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show 2007. This second generation popular Honda (B-segment) compact hatch is slightly bigger than the outgoing model. Its length is 3,900mm (+55 mm) while width is 1695mm (+20 mm) with the wheelbase increased by 50 mm to 2500mm. Honda’s 1.5L VTEC is upgraded to i-VTEC with an output of 120ps at 6300 rpm while max torque is 146Nm at 4800 rpm.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/08/2008-all-new-honda-jazzfit.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/all-new-honda-jazz-world-debut-soon.html

Lexus IS250: Brief Driving Impression

By Dr Long

There are many reasons why the IS 250 is a much anticipated junior executive from Lexus. Firstly, it is not a secret that Toyota Motor Corp. built this compact sedan to challenge the BMW 325i primarily and even for that matter, the Mercedes-Benz C230 V6. Secondly, it is one of the rare Japanese sedan of this class to have a front-engine/rear wheel drive layout. Last but not the least its premium pricing versus once again, the other Teutonic junior execs.

Hallmark of any Lexus is the 'dead' silence experience of refinement. I must say the IS 250 cabin must be one of the quietest around, possibly even better than the GS300. The 2.5 V6 is just as sonically muted, picking up revs with sheer smoothness and finesse. Pleasantly torquey too for a normally aspirated motor. I can safely vouch for the lower decibels of rolling noise from the Bridgestones here, as opposed to the Yokohamas shod on its elder brethren, the GS300.

Deserving a compulsory mention is the superbly pliant and comfortable suspension of the IS despite its shorter wheelbase relative to the GS. In the IS250 everything just felt so well-oiled, silent and refined in execution. Lexus engineers’ attention to details is amazing, an example being the extendable padded door pockets with a water bottle holder.

It was a short drive and it will be unfair to pass a verdict on the IS’ handling. While the steering is accurate with just-adequate feel, the initial impression was that the rack weighting was more on the lighter side, as sampled on a few occasions at three digit velocities. Tracking stability is acceptable but the overall feedback from the chassis and suspension is perhaps a little soft and light. All for the goodness of ride comfort and super compliant damping I guess.

There you have it, a very brief driving impression of the new IS250 from Lexus Malaysia.

Have a good weekend, wherever you may be!

Related post:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/lexus-malaysia-introduces-new-is250.html

You may want to read this:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/05/full-test-drive-lexus-gs-300.html

Fifth Gear: Honda Civic Type-R vs Civic Type-R!

Lexus Malaysia introduces new IS250

Click on images to enlargeLexus Malaysia has launched the IS 250 just recently. The second generation IS 250 carries the luxury Japanese automaker’s L-Finesse philosophy creating dynamism based on the visual contrast between simplicity and elegance.

By this, the designers have combined convex surfaces with concave ones, giving a much sculpted appearance to the entire design, while achieving a low aerodynamic efficiency of 0.27 Cd. The low drag resistance is aided by close attention to under-body airflow management, which also minimizes lift forces at cruising speed.

Powering the IS 250 is a new DOHC 24-valve 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine featuring Toyota’s D4 direct-injection technology which affords this unit the highest injection pressure - amongst petrol engines - at 130 bar. The new engine punches out 205bhp at 6400rpm and a class-leading 252Nm of torque at 4800rpm. The adoption of D-4 technology reduces the intake mixture temperature, which allows for a higher compression ratio, resulting in both enhanced power output and fuel efficiency. Interestingly, fuel requirement for this high output engine is RON95 even though it has an exceptionally high compression ratio of 12:1.

Amazingly, the new V6 weighs in at 180kg, which is no heavier than the in-line 6, 2.0L motor used in the earlier IS model. The new petrol motor employs an aluminium cylinder block and intake manifold, and a resin-based intake chamber. Further weight saving and engine compactness are achieved through the installation of the water and oil pumps within the chain cover.

The application of Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) on both intake and exhaust camshafts also significantly enhance both low-end and top-end torque as well as contribute to a reduction in exhaust emissions and better starting performance.

A new 6-AT Sequential Transmission with Super ECT transfer power and torque to the IS250’ rear axle. For manual gear selection (override) paddle-shift controls are mounted directly on the steering wheel, eliminating the need to modify steering wheel grip, even when busy cornering. Alternatively, +/- gear selection can also be performed through the conventional gearlever if the driver so desire. AI-SHIFT Sport Driving Control (an Artificial Intelligence control program) automatically changes the gear shifting schedule according to road conditions and driving style. Meanwhile, Super ECT incorporates uphill/downhill shift control and a flex lock-up system for smoother performance. While an enhanced lock-up timing control can improve fuel efficiency in 5th and 6th gears, an automatic transmission fluid warmer further improves fuel economy during cold starts.

Lexus is noted not just for luxury and premium quality but also superlative comfort and convenience. Every little detail to provide pleasurable motoring in the IS 250 has been considered and refined, from the ventilated seats to the Optitron instruments panel to the climate control system. Even the audio system - with 14 speakers - is by Mark Levinson, one of the top-end brands for audio systems.

The IS 250’s new front and rear suspension system is claimed to offer a higher threshold for more spirited driving. The suspension designs optimize dynamic wheel alignment to help provide precise, confident handling and maximum tyre grip. At the front, the double-wishbone arrangement with a high-mount upper control arm uses high-strength steel and aluminium suspension components to keep unsprung weight low. The lower arm uses a large, liquid-filled bushing at the rear to minimize vibration and harshness.

A newly developed multi-link rear set up enables precise control of suspension geometry in all dynamic conditions. The results are reduced body roll and improved anti-lift or anti-squat. Large 10-spoke 17-inch alloy rims have a distinctive design which presents a solid and powerful image to the IS 250. To ensure optimum transmission of power to the tarmac and higher grip, the IS 250 is fitted with wider tyres at the rear i.e. 245/45R17, while the front rubbers are 225/45R17. Braking ability is just as reassuring with large diameter discs all around, hooked up to ABS and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) systems.

The headlamps also have an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) which lets the driver see around corners. It estimates where the car will be in three seconds' time, using sensors that monitor the speed and the angle of the front wheels, altering the angle of the headlights in that direction. The rear lights are illuminated by LEDs which are longer-lasting and brighter, lighting up faster than conventional bulbs to quicker alert drivers in following vehicles. At the rear bumper, dual tailpipes provide a dynamic and sporty intent for this compact executive Lexus sedan.

Airbags are provided for both the driver and front occupant. The driver’s airbag is designed to inflate at one of three different speeds depending on the conditions (severity, seat position, etc) at the time of the collision. Airbags are also provided at knee level to give additional protection. Additional curtain airbag systems are also provided over the windows which will deploy when there is an impact from the sides, giving extra protection to front and rear passengers.

The new IS250 retails for RM305,000 (excluding roadtax and insurance). For Wheels has had a brief driving impression of this new junior executive aimed at challenging the BMW 325i and C230 (2.5) V6. Look out for it tomorrow.

To watch the new IS250 video:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/lexus-is250-video.html

Lexus IS250 Video

BMW 335i Coupe drive in Malaysia: More pictures and specifications

By Dr Long

BMW 335i Coupe E92

Specifications:

Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: In-line 6-cylinder, 2976cc, twin-turbo with direct fuel injection
Maximum power: 306bhp @ 5800rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm @ 1300rpm
Weight: 1615kg
0-100 km/h: 5.5secs (as tested)
Top speed: 250km/h (claimed, limited)
Price: RM468,000

Verdict: Pricey but one of the best (brand-new) Teutonic super-coupe money can buy. Twin turbo mind blowing. Excellent chassis balance for a highly involving drive.