News about an aunty driving a Wira who crashed into a Volvo XC60, two Perodua Myvi (one of it is a very new car!), few motorbikes and finally into a superbike store are spread like wildfire! The incident happened in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, KL where the aunty, who is in her 50s, accidentally hitted a XC60 while she was getting out of her parking lot. Then, panicking, move her car back and forth and hitted the stricken two Myvi and lastly, into the superbike store!

Her husband was just away for a moment and all these happened when he came back. Just a few minutes and the incident incurred half a million Ringgit loss to superbike store.

Not sure what had actually happened to the aunty, was she too panic until she accelerate back and forth repeatedly or the Proton’s first case of ’sudden unintended acceleration’? Hmm..

“What is the first car?”

Do you know that the first car engine that was manufactured was in the year 1885? And it is the pride and glory of Germany, specifically a city call Mannheim; through the wise invention of Karl Benz. He was the first person to have assembled a vehicle that is powered by engine. However some of them questioned his creation while others find it interesting, hence leading to a sales of 25 engines from 1888 to 1893. It might look like a small amount now, but it takes much time and effort in building an engine back then, hence making it more superior then ever.

Putting the engine part aside, the first speeding ticket was issued in the year 1902. Back then the terms pulling over does not mean anything; and the funny part about it is that its speed limit was 45miles as compared to the 80miles per hour speed limit of recent years. This clearly shows that the car engine had improved throughout the years.

“What is the worst country to drive in?”

Despite that, let us all dive into the question “What is the worst country to drive in?” Many would like to volunteer their own country; but as voted, the worst place to drive in is Manila. Reason is because the condition of the road is alarming and is full with unfinished construction. Besides, the drivers there do not bother to stop at the red lights and move around they pleased.

Nonetheless, new ideas about cars had been flooding the minds of numerous drivers, and as documented the most outrageous idea surfaced during the year 1939, where people actually demanded for an invention where they wish to have their cars mobile enough to be fold and kept in a suitcase. Talking about practicality, this can never happen in real life, probably only in cartoons.

Most expensive car?

Counting down to the next fact is that most expensive car around. What will your answer be? As acknowledged, the most expensive car sold was in the year 1987 with a price tag of 8 million dollars, and what will this beauty be? It is no other then the Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe, a 1939 classic.

Being showered with all the information about cars, there are many more interesting facts that are not known; however, such facts are not required in out everyday life, it is just assemble for your reading pleasure. Anyway, hope that you enjoyed it!

Source: http://autogreenmag.com

There is also a synchronous motor and decoupler incorporated within the system, and the motor adds another 34kW of power to the vehicle. In total after conversion, the vehicle produces 374bhp of power. In terms of torque generation, the engine contributes 440Nm while the motor adds on another 300Nm (combined they can generate 580Nm of torque).

Source: http://motorauthority.com

Due to the large engine under the hood, fuel consumption is not too economical (rated at 7.1-litre of fuel for every 100km). The vehicle can also move purely on electrical mode for approximately 2km at a top speed of 85km/h before the battery dries out and needs to be recharged. The power is channeled to the wheels with the use of the impressive 8-speed transmission system, and it must also be noted that this is a rear-wheel drive vehicle. This is probably the first hybrid vehicle that can be driven to a speed of up to 270km/h, as well as complete the century dash within 6 seconds.

Expect to receive impressive features such as the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) with ABD, ABS, eight airbags and engine drag torque control with the vehicle. In addition, the gorgeous LED daytime running lights are also excellent to have, so are the 20-inch alloy wheels that come attached with low profile rubbers. It might not be the most powerful Porsche out there, but it is a hybrid, and still commands a price of RM910,000! That should ensure that only the truly serious ones would consider buying this vehicle!

Good news! Our Ex-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir had released some initial details on Proton’s upcoming new car, which is the P3-21A. Check out what he listed in his blog:

• Proton’s new 1.6 liter turbo engine will be used, which allows the P3-21A to produce the power of a 2.0 liter engine with a smaller displacement.
• Hot press steel (which is stronger) as opposed to cold press steel
• Vehicle Seek Lamp (not sure what this is, follow-me-home lamp?)
• Wiper Auto Speed
• Automatic folding wing mirror
• Push-button Start/Stop function
• Automatic Wiper Sensors
• Automatic Headlamp Sensors
• GPS navigation system (I suppose it’s the built-in type)
• Impact sensing door lock
• Central Locking
• Alarm with Immobiliser
• CVT gearbox with 7 virtual speed manual mode (something like Toyota Altis?)
• Tiptronic selection on shift lever
• Steering-mounted paddle shifters
• ABS with Brake Assist

The specs revealed belongs to the high-line variant of P3-21A. Too bad Tun Dr. Mahathir didn’t mention anything about Electronic Stability Control (ESC) nor airbags. Keeping some of the best stuff to keep us remain excited ya? I do hope that the high-line P3-21A is going to get ESC and 6 airbags so that it will have better value-for-money than Kia Forte 2.0.

A picture of the cabin leaked recently, showing what I believe is the low/mid-line cabin of the P3-21A (because there is no built-in GPS). Quite decent looking dashboard with minimalist design, also with nice looking silver trim around the cabin. Hope the quality will be top notch! The P3-21A is launching in 1 month time, but some said that it will be launched on 16 March 2012!

The goal of cleaning is to minimize the scratches on the paintwork, therefore it is best to start from the top and work down to the grittiest part. Most of the scratches happened due to careless cleaning as cleaning cloth will pick up grit from any part of the car and add a little scratch to the paint job when it is wiped over.

The first step is to rinse and wet the body frame of the vehicle with normal tap water, and do not use a sponge during this process as it might pick up unnecessary grit. It is recommended to use a high pressure hose; however, a hose with strong jet can also be used. This process is crucial as it loosens and washes away any grit from the car, besides, other dirt like mud or sand will fall off when water gets into it. After so, clean the inside of the car, as it gives time for the water to dissolve any dirt from the exterior of the car.

Image courtesy of worldofstock.com

Any unwanted wrappers and paper should be discarded while you’re cleaning the inside of the car. Also remove and vacuum all mats to eliminate sands and dirt that was stuck there. Using a damp cloth, wipe the dashboard, console and plastic area of the vehicle. While doing it avoid using silicone as it will leave a greasy residue. Finally wipe the sills, boot seams before proceeding to the exterior of the car.

Hose the car one more time before wiping it with a soft fluffy wool cloth to remove all unwanted reside. However, the scrubbing part should not take place at this time. Start on the top in a circular motion until you are through with the whole car.

After so, mix water and pre-wash product in a bucket. Avoid using products that does not foam up or create a lot of bubbles, also don’t choose a product that incorporates built in polish as it will lock the dirt under the polished layer which makes the cleaning process 10 times harder. For stubborn stains, opt for a tar and bug removal spray.

Use a slightly harder sponge with quality car shampoo to scrub off unwanted stains. If stains refuse to come off, opt for a scrub pad but it is limited to the sills and lower front bumper. For the wheels and tyres, brush off the stains with a scrub pad. Avoid using the same cloth that you use for the body to clean the wheel of the car as it will damage the paint job of your car.

Image courtesy of kia-buzz.com

Now its time to rinse your car with clean water. After so, dry it using Chamois leather; damp it with a little water for excellent finishing. Your car should be looking bright and vibrant after all the tedious actions.

The proposal to introduce mandatory jail sentences came from Road Safety Council member Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye who asked the government to consider jailing errant drivers that cause fatalities and death through accidents. This proposal came after witnessing the results of Ops Sikap 25, which showcased a 63% increase in terms of number of traffic summonses being issued about. This only shows that driver and other road users simply do not fear the authorities or adhere to the rules, which would not only endanger themselves but also other road users!

Despite the many public awareness programs that have been held, and the appeals of the authorities and government, road accidents continue to be on the rise, and we hear of countless deaths on our roads every day. The fatality rate has actually elevated instead of decreasing! And if what Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha shared with us is true, it appears that there is already a provision for mandatory prison sentences to be meted out in our Road Transport Act 1987 (Section 41).

Looks like it is time to be tough on our errant drivers and start handing out the punishment when required! Let’s see if this materializes within the next few months, and if this would help to change the attitude of our drivers for the better!

Engine and specification:

The Audi TT RS Plus will be powered by 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine; it has a capacity to deliver 265kW of maximum power at 465Nm of torque. Purchasers can decide either a manual six-speed transmission or the seven-speed S tronic with its lightning-fast gearshifts. TT RS plus coupe can accelerate 0-100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds when mated to 7-speed DSG box and 4.3 seconds when mated to a manual transmission. TT RS plus Roadster and can accelerate 0-100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds when mated to 7-speed DSG box and 4.4 seconds when mated to a manual transmission. TT RS Plus is able of reaching a top speed of 280km/h.

Exterior, Interior & Safety:

On the exterior, TT RS Plus is mostly visual features include the grille surrounding trim frame has a matt aluminum-look finish while the exterior mirror caps are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The Audi RS signature oval dual exhaust pipe tips are painted in black to intensify the sound of the engine. The Carbon design package gives the engine section a more exclusive appearance.

Audi has included a set of five-arm “Rotor” design 19-inch alloy wheels of the dimension 255/35 tires for the TT RS Plus. Audi adds a little style to the normal 19-inch TT-RS wheels by painting them black with a contrasting red accent on the rim flanges.

In the interior, the knob on the gear or selector lever has an aluminium-look trim ring and a TT RS plus badge.

Stopping power comes from 4-piston fixed calipers in combination with perforated brake disks are installed on the front axle.

One of the biggest names in the Automotive Industry – Mercedes Benz, is a manufacturer of busses, Trucks, Coaches and of course Automobiles. Not to mention that the founder of this prestige car manufacturer was also the inventor of the first petrol-powered car – Kharl Benz.

In its Luxury Car categories, the S-Class stands out in its group. The first introduction can be dated as far as 1972 with the introduction of W 116. S-Class can be compared to ‘Special Class’ since this is the meaning of the word in German.

The new 2012 Mercedes Benz S-350 BlueTech is the latest introduction this German Car Manufacturer has to offer. The car was unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show 2011 and it was soundless and quite as it rolled out at the show even though it is powered by a V6 Diesel Engine. The car has a top speed of 250 kph and with an acceleration performance of 0 to 100 kilometers per hour within only 7.1 seconds.

Although this S-350 is powered by Diesel Engine, it provides one of the cleanest diesel types with less C02 emissions because of its AdBlue Emission Control. This is one of Mercedes Benz’s latest technologies in automotive industry’s fight against Global Warming – that is to significantly reduce harmful C02 emissions in the planet.

The new car is also equipped with latest safety features such as Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. The interior has designed to satisfy customers with its New Leather Appointments with Stitching and Tailor – made High End Sound System.

Over all, the New 2012 Mercedes Benz S-350 BlueTec provides the latest technology and features in the automotive industry’s Luxury Car Division. We hope that soars high in the automotive market in the coming months.

Reference, Image Source: eMercedesBenz, Google Images

According to the director of marketing of Vista.com, Krista Glotzbach, a San Francisco based company that provides vehicle search engine for AOL Autos, the transformation in the used car business is everlasting. But, potential buyers should not be turned off by this, because with the help of several features of the search engine such as search filter, vehicle fashion statement where you can select the preference color and budget range can assist you in filtering and showing you only those cars of your preference. This will then allows buyer to have a pleasant shopping experience on used cars. Besides, with the program used by Vast.com called a web ‘crawls’, which is a automated Internet search on information about the vehicle enables buyers to have extra knowledge on the desired vehicle.

However, Larry Gamache the director of communication of CARFAX has a different perception. According to him, with the increase in the quantity of used car, in which it dominates the automobile industry, frauds are bound to happen, especially in marketing vehicles that were damaged by flood. What does not look bad does not mean that there are no flaws. In this case, what cannot be seen is the culprit; due to the setback of flood damaged vehicle, most of the installed components are broken. Also, the safety features of the car can also be at risk, because air bags that were submerged in water will not function properly. They either do not deploy or they deploy at full force.

To further emphasize on the used car market, here are some facts that will leave you going ‘hmm’. In US, three out of four automobile transactions involves used cars, thus making the average vehicle having approximately three owners in its lifetime. Also, experts said that in every 25 air bags that were deployed, one was not being replaced properly, and it is also one of the most stolen items from a vehicle.

Besides, there are roughly half of the cars that were damaged due to the flood being ride back on the road. This can be seen where 200, 000 vehicles were dried and resale after Hurricane Katrina. Despite that, the most demanded used car are all ranged under $5,000; and Texas has been recorded to have the most used car in US. Moving on, Chevrolet is the most available car brand in US followed by Ford and Toyota; where silver being the most available color around.

Image courtesy of geo.txstate.edu

In short, it is clear that the used car business has a giant market in US, thus by trusting on well-known used car website, buyers can purchase at ease.

For those who do not know, the SR is basically an entry level of the compact people carrier with a savings of about RM2500 compared to the standard version. Thus, prices start from a lower RM53013.50 (BX MT solid color) to RM56513.50 (BZ AT metallic color). This version makes to do without:

-         rear wiper

-         foot operated parking brakes in the auto version (replaced by typical central column hand-operated unit)

-         “UV protected glass” for just the windscreen as to all glass panels

-         electric operated wing mirrors (replaced by manual operated)

-         fog lamps

-         passenger air bag

-         font bench seat (replaced by typical individual seat setup)

-         ABS, ABD and BA

“The introduction of the Alza SR variant will make it even more affordable for Malaysian consumers looking to upgrade to a more spacious vehicle. Our customers like the versatility and functionality that Alza offers and do not mind having less features available compared with the standard and other variants. However, it does not mean we have compromised on the safety and the aesthetics of the Alza SR,” Perodua MD Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.

Now here is where the odd part starts. Despite claims on no compromise regarding safety, it does seem a rather odd time to offer just a driver’s airbag and seat belts considering that MIROS and other bodies are driving hard for comprehensive dual airbags and other safety features in all new cars. True, one may argue that neither are they available in the standard SX and EZ, but should safety be an option just for the sake of bringing the cost down especially during current times?

Secondly as their cheapest variant, there are a couple of “premium” items fitted especially when they are merely aesthetics. For example, those 15” alloy wheels, integrated entertainment unit and wing mirrors with turn-indicators. Surely those on a budget would not mind smaller 14” wheels on steel rims with wheel caps, a single slot HU or non-indicator mirrors, right? And if they are really tight, perhaps replacing the reverse sensors for a roof mounted mirror (like those aftermarket reverse mirrors fitted the discontinued Naza Ria), fitting the Myvi’s 1.3litre K3VE or even unpainted bumpers and side-mirrors might not be a big deal too.

Lastly is RM2500 really a significant reduction especially after a typical 5 or 7 year loan period? Assuming one takes a 90% loan with an interest rate of 4.5% over 7-year tenure, the monthly savings works out to about RM35 between the SR and standard variant, or less than half a tank of fuel.

But perhaps I could be wrong. Perhaps this base model will hit its projected sales target of 400 units monthly. After all, this is not the first time vehicles for our market has been stripped of its features for the sake of affordability.

Pictures from Perodua.com.my