Lamborghini Murcielago

Bentley Continental GT

All-New Hyundai Tucson

Click on all images to enlarge

Hyundai Motor Co is on a roll for the new decade: their daringly suave and stylish revamped all-new Sonata barely settled into our visual cortex of our grey matter, their superb Theta II GDI engines and in-house new 6-speed auto 'box have been revealed for very-near future applications. Now, here comes another 'wow-factor': their mid-size SUV, new Tucson replacement model for year 2010.

The all-new Tucson will only be offered initially with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol, capable of 176 hp and 228Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual or an all-new 6-speed automatic. A 2.0-liter Theta II engine will be available later in 2010, perhaps that will be the likelihood variant seeing the light of day in Malaysia. In Right Hand Drive (RHD) configuration of course!

Keep bringing em on Hyundai!!!!

2010 Zenvo ST1

Hyundai Azera/Grandeur gets updated for 2010

Hyundai Motor Co. began receiving orders today for Grandeur (Azera) facelift that offers more luxurious exterior than the preceding model and a variety of upgraded features to attain more safety and convenience.

Exterior

With its design focus on a progressive concept, Grandeur Facelift is reborn with more prestigious exterior. The facelift possesses overall dynamic and luxurious image with the differentiated designs of bumper, lamp, radiator grill, muffler and etc.

Safety

Securing the best stability in its class, all models of Grandeur Facelift are basically equipped with Vehicle Dynamic Control(VDC), dual front and side curtain airbags for the event that a crash is unavoidable.

Price

The price ranges from 27.1 million won to 28.9 million won for models with 2.4 Theta(θ) II VVT engine, from 29.8 million won to 34.0 million won for models with 2.7 Mu(μ) V6 DOHC engine and from 35.9 million won to 39.8 million won for models with 3.3 Lambda(λ) V6 DOHC engine (approximately US$23,214 to US$34,038, based on today’s currency exchange rates).

Peugeot 308 Turbo is NST-Maybank Car of The Year 2009

Giant automotive group Naza's (Nasim) Peugeot 308 Turbo got stamping approval of the New Straits Times/Maybank COTY panel by clinching the prestigious “Overall Car of the Year 2009” Award. Incidentally, the 308 Turbo was also the winner of the Family Car COTY 2009 Award.

The winners for the New Straits Times/Maybank 2009 Awards were announced at a gala dinner at The Saujana Kuala Lumpur, hosted by the New Straits Times and title sponsor Maybank Berhad.

A panel of 10 judges, comprising motoring editors, an automotive blogger and other distinguished personalities unanimously voted for the Peugeot 308 Turbo as winner of the coveted “Overall Car of The Year” based on its impressive handling, powerful performance, comfort, safety and value-for-money.

Judges were impressed by the car’s fuel efficiency, and the performance of the 1.6-litre direct injection turbo petrol engine, already an award winner internationally - but it was the 308 Turbo’s competitive price point and build quality that was the key factor in its win. The car also has a full-length panoramic glass roof, the only car in its class to offer such a feature.

The 308 Turbo is completely knocked down (CKD) and consists of imported parts from France. It is distributed by the official franchise holder of Peugeot Automobiles in Malaysia, Nasim Sdn Bhd (NSB), a member of the Naza Group of Companies.





The winner of the Good Design Award is the Toyota Prius. Already the number one selling hybrid car in the world, The Prius was selected not just for its beautifully sculpted shape, but also how much of its styling have been made to help its aerodynamic efficiency. Judges were also won over by the flowing lines of the car’s interior, the overall “cockpit” feel of the cabin, right down to the innovative use of storage space in the car.

The Volvo XC60, winner of the Luxury SUV award, added another feather to its cap by winning the Safety Award for its impressive list of safety features, which include the laser-based City Safety feature, Lane Departure Warning System and Collision Warning with Auto Brake, which uses radar technology for vehicle tracking.

The winners were selected from 68 new models introduced between December 2008 and October 2009, and judges took into account criteria such as exterior and interior design, comfort and ergonomics, performance, safety, emotional appeal, and after sales service including the comprehensiveness of its warranty. Points were awarded to the cars, and the vehicle with the most points wins the category. The overall Car of The Year winner was then selected from the list of 15 winners.

The night also saw history in the making when two distinguished names in motoring were selected as the “Automotive Men of The Year 2009” Award, Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng and Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar.

Dato’ Dr Ang is the Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor, Nissan distributor and franchise holder in Malaysia. He was selected for his efforts in keeping the Tan Chong business thriving and making it the icon it is today, all this in spite of internal turmoil and pressure from its Japanese principal.

Datuk Syed Abdull Hafiz is the outgoing Managing Director of Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua). He was recognised for presenting a product loved by Malaysians for its quality, reliability and styling, notably the Perodua Myvi.

The Car of the Year Awards is the country’s first motoring award, and was launched in 2002 by Cars, Bikes and Trucks, the motoring section of the New Sunday Times, as a means to acknowledge achievements within the motoring industry.

The guest-of-honour for the night was Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister. Also gracing the occassion was Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of the Malaysian Automotive Association.

The event is endorsed by the Malaysian Automotive Association.

A pictorial history of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class by the top-guns of M-B Malaysia (MBM)

Though not truly a big fan of the top-brass guys (and gals) at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) and especially the way they mistreat customers and potential customers alike (some Merc dealers too, as rumoured), I must admit the 3-D holographic-esque presentation at the launch of the new W212 E-Class was really something to be savoured as unique and classy among the many car launches we get annually in Malaysia. The free-flowing wine, champagne, cognac and beers were not too bad either! :)

Click on all pictures to get a bigger image of the W110 (Tailfin) right through to the W211 predecessors! I guessed my shutter would have missed one or two circa 2nd World War models, but what the heck...I reckon the Tailfin is what most will remember as one of the most iconic great great grandfather of the E-class!

Here's looking forward to perhaps owning a E200 GGI or E250 CGI - both turbocharged -sometime in 2010 or 2011?