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Saturday, June 19, 2010

Posted by: Anthony Lim

BMW Malaysia today introduced five new variants into its local model lineup, these being three versions of the 3 Series Coupe and a 3 Series Convertible, as well as the Z4 sDrive35is M Sport.

The new 3 Series Coupe lineup consists of the 320i Coupe, 325i Coupe and the top of the line 335i Coupe M Sport, while the 325i Convertible makes for the drop-top entry.

The 306bhp six-cylinder turbocharged 335i Coupe M Sport comes with a 7-speed double clutch sports automatic transmission and comes with a new gear shift logic for the steering-wheel paddles similar to that on the M3.



The M Sports package on this one includes a special Aerodynamics package and 19-inch M light-alloy double spoke 313 wheels riding on a specially tuned sports suspension. Interior-wise, the package adds in sports seats in Dakota leather upholstery, Aluminium Glacier Silver dark interior trim and Anthracite headliner. Further enhancing the car's sporty nature are M entry sills and a M footrest.

Of course, there are optional equipment packages, including an Innovation Package and a Glass Roof Package, for the rest of the range, enabling owners to tailor suit their vehicles to their individual tastes and personal preferences.

Catered specifically for the BMW 320i Coupe, the Innovation Package includes a navigation system and mobile phone preparation. The navigation system offers DVD drive, iDrive Controller with direct menu control buttons, functional bookmarks, integrated hard disk for audio files and navigation data, 3D map display on a high-resolution 8.8-inch monitor, whilst the Mobile Phone preparation offers Bluetooth capability that includes hands free capability. Going the Innovation Package route will set you back a mere RM20,000.



The Glass Roof Package, on the other hand, is available as an option for the 320i Coupe and 325i Coupe. The package includes an electric operated glass roof with slide and tilt function, and goes for RM10,000 .

The new 325i Convertible utilises the same six-cylinder 218bhp 2.5l block found on the 325i Coupe, and shares the same lighting specifications as that on the 335i Coupe M Sport, with light rings with two brightness settings for use as parking lights or daytime running lights, as well as LED indicators.

Meanwhile, the Z4 sDrive35is M Sport rolls in as the top of the line roadster, with 340bhp and 450Nm of torque available from its 3.0l turbo pot. It comes with the 7-speed double-clutch sports automatic transmission, Dynamic Driving Control with Sport and Sport+ settings and Launch Control as standard issue.



Here, the M sports package is made up of a M aerodynamics package, which has modified front and rear aprons and a rear diffuser among other things, as well as the Adaptive M Suspension package. Oxide Silver mirror caps and five-spoke 18 inch alloy wheels round off the exterior trim, and exclusive to the M Sports package on the Z4 sDrive35is M Sport is the option of the special Melbourne Red exterior colour.

The retail prices (on the road, without insurance, with BMW Service Inclusive 3 years/60,000km + Repair) are RM289,800 for the 320i Coupe, RM378,800 for the 325i Coupe, RM498,800 for the 335i Coupe M Sport, while the 325i Convertible goes for RM439,800, and the Z4 sDrive35is M Sport is priced at RM598,800.

Posted by: Anthony Lim

US automakers have surpassed foreign brands for the first time in a survey that measures the quality of new cars and trucks.

J.D. Power and Associates said yesterday that owners of vehicles made by Detroit automakers reported fewer problems on average during the first 90 days of ownership than those built by companies based overseas.

It was the first time that has happened in the 24 years the industry research group has conducted the annual quality study that is a closely watched measure of the durability and reliability of vehicles.

US automakers have long lagged foreign brands, especially those from Asian manufacturers like Toyota, which many consumers believe produce higher quality cars and trucks than General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

But J.D. Power said Ford showed some of the biggest gains in quality among individual brands, moving into the fifth spot. Porsche was the top scorer. Toyota, which has suffered through huge safety recalls earlier this year, saw its score drop.

The study ranks vehicles according to the number of problems reported per 100 vehicles. The overall average for the industry was 109 problems per 100 vehicles. That industry average has fallen steadily over the past decade.

US manufacturers scored an average of 108 problems, while foreign companies posted 109 problems. That is a marked difference than just 10 years ago, when import brands had far fewer initial problems than those made by US companies.

Luxury brands topped the list, with Acura and Mercedes-Benz holding the second and third spots. Daimler, which makes the Mercedes-Benz, had the best performing plant, an assembly facility in East London, South Africa.

Land Rover had the highest overall number of average problems with 170.

Ford was the best scorer among non-luxury brands, with 93 problems per 100 vehicles. J.D. Power said that Ford has shown steady improvement over the last nine years.

The rankings are closely watched by automakers, which frequently use them in advertising campaigns. Ford vice president of quality Bennie Fowler said in a statement that the survey shows Ford's "steady and meticulous attention to new model launches."

Toyota's ranking dropped to the 21st spot, down from the sixth ranking in 2009. The Japanese automaker has built a strong reputation for vehicle quality, but has seen its image suffer after wide reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.

"Overall, we're disappointed but probably not surprised," said Jim Lentz, Toyota's top US sales executive. "If you look at when the survey was fielded, it was right during the height of the recall and the intense coverage of the recall."

He said vehicles not involved in recall saw their scores go up in the study. He also noted that Toyota had six segment award winners, more than any other manufacturer.

"We are paying close attention to what the customer is telling us through J.D. Power," he said. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Toyota, the latest automaker to be hit by a strike at a China parts supplier, said yesterday its car assembly operations were not affected by the short-lived dispute.

The strike comes amid mounting concern over signs of increasing unrest among the migrant workers who are the backbone of the country's industrial sector.

Niu Yu, spokesman for Toyota China in Beijing, said the strike at affiliate Toyoda Gosei Co Ltd's plant in the northeastern city of Tianjin, had ended.

"So far, operations of our car assembly plant have not been affected," Niu said.

Toyoda Gosei spokesman Tomotaka Ito said the strike at the plant, Tianjin Star Light Rubber and Plastic Co, began Tues and ended Wed after the company agreed to review the pay structure for its 800 workers.

Production resumed Wed afternoon, despite a national holiday, to make up for lost time, said Ito, who would give no further details.

The strike was the first reported for Toyota following strikes at several China suppliers of Honda that forced that Japanese automaker to suspend car assembly intermittently in the past month due to a lack of parts.



So far, most of the auto-related labour disputes have been reported in southern China, near Guangzhou, where both Honda and Toyota have manufacturing bases along with their local partner Guangzhou Auto Group. Toyota has a separate joint venture in Tianjin with FAW Group.

Although Beijing has so far said little about specific labour disputes, earlier this week Premier Wen Jiabao signaled the leadership's concern, urging better treatment for the country's legions of young migrant workers.

"Migrant workers should be cared for, protected and respected, especially the younger generation," the official Communist Party paper, People's Daily, cited Wen as telling a group of migrant workers in Beijing.

In a commentary Thurs, the newspaper said China's economic model is facing a "turning point."

"Raising workers' income levels and adjusting the gap between rich and poor is not just an emergency response to protect stability," said the author Tang Jun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a government think tank.

A labour law that went into effect in 2008 has accelerated an upsurge in workers' awareness of their rights. Meanwhile, there has been a generation shift between older migrant workers, who grew up in poverty and usually were the first in their families to seek non-farm work, and their children, who have higher expectations and less tolerance for low wages and harsh conditions. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Scandinavian electric vehicle maker Think has begun the introduction of a new, ground-breaking lithium-ion battery system for its City EV production.

The dedicated 22kWh battery system for the City is from Ener1 subsidiary, EnerDel. The company says key features include a smaller, lighter weight and better packaged unit, offering much greater available power and energy density than other technologies.



Fast-charging is also a possibility with the EnerDel batteries, with early tests done by Think and Ener1 getting the battery charged up to 80% of its capacity in just 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, Think, in partnership with EnerDel, is moving along with the application expansion of its proprietary integrated electric drive-train; the system is currently being tested in Asia by the Japan Postal Service, and by Mazda as part of a Itochu Corporation-led sustainability project in Tsukuba, Japan.

Posted by: Anthony Lim

General Motors yesterday abandoned a months-long effort to win European government aid for restructuring its Opel and Vauxhall operations, saying that it needed to move ahead and would fund the overhaul itself.

A week after Germany rejected its request, GM said it was withdrawing applications for loan guarantees totaling euro 1.8bil (US$2.2bil) from several European countries. The automaker said its own improved finances were a factor in the decision.

That will leave GM, which is majority-owned by the US government, to shoulder the total funding needs of euro 3.3bil rather than the euro 1.9bil it had previously committed. The US government owns about 61% of GM, while the Canadian governments own roughly 12%. GM hopes to repay all government aid with a public stock offering, perhaps later this year.

GM's move ends lengthy manoeuvring over the future of Opel and Vauxhall, and represents a sharp turnaround from last year, when GM nearly sold a majority stake in its European operations and went through bankruptcy reorganisation in the US. It subsequently decided to hold onto its European business while seek government support.

Opel and Vauxhall CEO Nick Reilly noted that GM initiated the aid applications more than six months ago and said "we had no idea that it would take this long."



"In that period of time the GM financial position has improved somewhat and the outlook is positive," he said - helping make Wed's decision possible.

Britain's government committed loan guarantees to the tune of euro 330mil and Spain had indicated that it would commit a similar amount. Reilly said there had been "no withdrawal of support" by either country, but GM made its decision after considering the fallout from Berlin's rejection.

Last Nov, GM abruptly canceled the planned sale of a majority in the units to a consortium led by Canadian auto parts maker Magna International, instead deciding to restructure the brands itself.

That decision irked Germany, which had pushed hard for the sale and had been prepared to offer financial support for it.

GM then sought aid from European governments as it presented a restructuring plan that foresees some 8,300 job cuts across the continent. Reilly said "there is no intention to change the restructuring plan." The two brands employ around 48,000 people in Europe, roughly half of them in Germany.
- AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Volkswagen raised its sales and operating profit forecast for 2010 on Wed, saying that its performance in the first five months exceeded expectations.

The company said it now expects the 2009 figures "will be significantly exceeded" but didn't offer more specific guidance. It had previously forecast only that the 2010 figures would be above last year's.

VW sold 6.3mil vehicles and had an operating profit of euro 1.9bil last year.



Unit sales and operating profit across the group - which also includes brands such as Audi, Skoda and Seat - "have considerably outperformed expectations in the first five months" of 2010, Volkswagen said.

It said it has been helped by strong demand in key markets such as western Europe, China and North America. Exchange rate effects "had a positive impact on profit," it added.

Volkswagen cautioned that the outlook for the second half "still entails uncertainties" - pointing to fierce competition and a difficult overall environment. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Electric car maker Tesla Motors expects to raise US$185mil from its highly anticipated initial public offering of stock beginning the week of June 28 and an investment from Toyota Motors Corp, which will buy an additional US$50mil in Tesla stock immediately after the close of Tesla's public offering.

The Palo Alto, California company currently sells just the Roadster, a high-end car powered by lithium-ion batteries with a design based on the Lotus Elise two-seater sports car. It has sold just 1,063 Roadsters since 2008 and has lost US$290.2mil since the company was founded in 2003.

However, the company plans to start selling a mass-market luxury sedan starting in 2012 that is expected to cost US$49,900 after a US$7,500 federal tax credit. The company has said it expects continuing quarterly losses until the sedan, the Model S, hits the market. Tesla said it has already taken 2,200 reservations for the five-passenger sedan.



As part of the partnership with Toyota, Tesla will pay the Japanese automaker US$42mil for the shuttered New United Motor Manufacturing Inc auto plant in Fremont, California. The plant is a former joint venture between Toyota and General Motors, but GM withdrew from the joint venture when it filed for bankruptcy protection last year, leaving Toyota saddled with the idled facility.

Tesla said it plans to use the sprawling, 207-acre facility - most recently used to build the Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma - to build the Model S. In addition, the two companies have loose plans to work together later on another electric car.

After the release of the Model S, Tesla plans to continue expanding its lineup of electric cars with increasingly cheaper models. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Most workers striking to demand higher wages returned to their jobs at a Honda plant in southern China after walking off the production line last week, Honda officials said yesterday.

Koji Matsuyama, an official at Honda Lock's headquarters in Miyazaki, Japan, said the strike ended on Sat, and almost all workers returned to work on Mon. The company was still not operating at full capacity, he said.

The strike at Honda Lock (Guangdong) Co comes amid an upsurge in industrial actions by migrant workers frustrated over relatively low pay, harsh working conditions and surging living costs.

Matsuyama refused to comment on news that the factory was hiring new workers to replace those who refused to return to work.

However, an official who identified herself as a human resources manager at the plant in Zhongshan, just outside the southern city of Guangzhou, said that the company was hiring new workers to replace those who had not come back.



The workers who gave up the strike agreed to accept a wage raise of 200 yuan (about US$30) to 1,139 yuan (US$170), said the manager, who refused to give her name. The workers had been seeking raises of 1,700 yuan-2040 yuan (US$250-US$300), and rejected an earlier offer of 100 yuan (US$15), the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Honda officials in Tokyo referred inquiries to Honda Lock. About 85% of plant's 1,400 workers had joined the action, forcing a halt to operations.

The strike last week came as Honda resumed production at two other car assembly plants after resolving a three-day strike at parts supplier Foshan Fengfu Autoparts Co.

Honda said the Foshan factory employees agreed to a pay raise of 366 yuan (US$53) per month for each full-time worker. That increases the pay for a new employee to 1,910 yuan (US$280) per month.

Workers largely had accepted slower wage growth during the recent economic slowdown, but as the economy has rebounded and prices rise, they are working longer hours with no appreciable improvement in income, prompting some to take action.

Fearing challenges to their hold on power, China's communist leaders ban unauthorised labour organisations and public dissent. Those who violate those bans face harassment and prosecution.

But authorities have long tolerated limited, local protests by workers unhappy over wages or other issues, perhaps recognising the need for an outlet for such frustrations. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Volkswagen has chosen a new ground for the market launch of its new Polo GTI. The car is the first vehicle to be presented to customers in Europe exclusively via social network Facebook.



The exclusively digital campaign, titled Fast Lane – Driven by Fun, is aimed at inspiring young drivers for the car, as well as engaging them.

Three videos, where the vehicle isn't immediately in evidence, have been produced for the start of the Facebook profile, which is at www.facebook.com/volkswagen.



These clips depict scenes that add an unusual touch to everyday life, such as a giant slide at subway steps, a particularly agile supermarket cart or an elevator that sounds like a rocket about to take off, and are meant to convey the thrill of speed without encouraging fast driving.

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Volvo Car Malaysia has begun a service campaign aimed at offering all Volvo owners some very Swede deals as well a host of rewards this June and July.

From today to July 31, Volvo owners bringing in their cars for service and/or repairs at the nearest Volvo authorised service centres will get a Volvo inspection, brake check, engine cooling system inspection for free, as well as free brake fluid if you replace both brake pads and discs, and there are discounts of up to 25% on selected parts and accessories.

That's not all - Volvo owners also stand a chance to win prizes when they service/repair their vehicles during the promotion period. All you need to do is answer three simple questions, complete a slogan, attach the contest form to a single repair/service invoice (for any amount) and you're in the running.

The grand prize is a RM10,000 voucher, while second and third prizes are RM7,000 and RM5,000 vouchers respectively, all redeemable for Volvo parts and accessories, ceetainly very handy to have.

The Volvo service centres are open Mon-Fri from 8.30am-5.30pm and from 8.30am-12.30pm on Sat. For more info, contact Federal Auto Cars at 03-2274 9300, Swedish Marque at 1-800-882-222 or Angkatan Hebat (Kota Kinabalu) at 088-485 544. Alternately, visit www.volvocars.com.my.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Expect Mahindra & Mahindra to be going the EV route in a big way, now that it has acquired a majority stake in Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Co. The buyout sees Mahindra taking a 55.2% share in the company, which will be renamed Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicle Co.

Reva was established in Bangalore in 1994 as a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore and American company AEV. Its Reva electric vehicle was first commercially available in Bangalore in 2001, and currently, its products are available in 24 countries around the world, with over 3,500 EVs having been sold.


The Reva NXG.



Its NXR four-seater, three-door hatch and NXG two-seater targa top EV models, which were unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, is set for production in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Mahindra, which is currently working on an electric version of its mini-truck, the Maxximo, will adapt the new company's EV technology for it and other Mahindra vehicles.

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Naza Kia has introduced a limited-edition Citra II Rondo, and the higher-specification variant will feature 13 new exterior and interior enhancements.



The limited-edition run of 300 units will be made up of both Rondo EX and EXS variants, and they will feature the enhancements at no additional cost, which means the the price of both vehicles remain at RM86,088 and RM90,088 respectively, surely a good thing.

The exterior additions include new front skirting, side skirting and door protector visors, as well as a rear spoiler, new wheel arch mouldings and rear skirting. Rounding off the list is a rear bumper pad and a chrome tail pipe finisher.



Inside, new to the kit list to the 2.0l vehicle are a 9.5-inch overhead screen and DVD player, leather trimmed covered seats, and the LE version also gets new solar tinting.

Additionally, items such as an emergency kit bag, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and a tire inflator have been included in the mix. With only 300 units available, best be quick if you want one ...

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said that he's not bothered by skepticism about the company's upcoming Leaf electric car, because thousands of orders have convinced the company of consumers' demand for it.

The president of Honda's research and development unit recently questioned whether consumers will accept electric cars' limited range or the time needed to charge them. Honda has said previously that cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells, not electrics, are the best way to cut vehicle emissions.

Some companies are going to be more bullish about electric vehicles than others, Ghosn acknowledged.

"I understand that this is not going to be consensual," Ghosn said after a speech to the Detroit Economic Club. "Not everybody believes in it, some people are more skeptical. It's normal."

But, he said, that skepticism won't change Nissan's direction. He said 13,000 US customers have already put down US$99 deposits on the Leaf, which goes on sale in Dec. The company expects to sell 50,000 electric cars in the US, Europe and Japan in 2011. By 2013, it plans to produce eight separate electric vehicles, including sedans and commercial vehicles, and sell 500,000 per year.

"We're not, anymore, into a situation where we're questioning ourselves about the technology. We're in it," Ghosn said.



The all-electric Leaf, a four-door hatchback powered by a lithium-ion battery, has a range of 160km on a single charge. It will have a base price of US$32,780, but it's eligible for a US$7,500 federal tax credit, making it closer to US$25,000.

Ghosn also defended the decision not to put a backup, gasoline engine in the vehicle to power it when the charge runs down. The Chevrolet Volt, which will come out around the same time as the Leaf, has such an engine.

Ghosn said the rapid advancements in battery technology are one reason he thinks there will be more and more partnerships among automakers. Last month, Nissan and Renault SA, which is also led by Ghosn, announced a partnership with Daimler AG to develop small, fuel-efficient vehicles.

Ghosn said no automaker has enough resources to explore every technology well. In order to be viable, carmakers also need to have vehicles in every segment and partners who understand emerging countries like China and India, he said. In 1999, Nissan sold 1,000 cars in China; last year it sold 800,000. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles may have been involved in the deaths of 89 people over the past decade, upgrading the number of deaths possibly linked to the massive recalls, the US government said yesterday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that from 2000 to mid-May, it had received more than 6,200 complaints involving sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles. The reports include 89 deaths and 57 injuries over the same period. Previously, 52 deaths had been suspected of being connected to the problem.

Toyota has recalled more than eight million vehicles worldwide since last fall because of problems with gas pedals, floor mats and brakes. The Japanese automaker paid a record US$16.4mil fine for its slow response to an accelerator pedal recall and is facing hundreds of state and federal lawsuits.

Toyota said in a statement that it "sympathises with the individuals and families involved in any accident involving our vehicles. We are making an all-out effort to ensure our vehicles are safe and we remain committed to investigating reported incidents of unintended acceleration in our vehicles quickly."

The automaker said "many complaints in the NHTSA database, for any manufacturer, lack sufficient detail that could help identify the cause of an accident. We will continue to work in close partnership with law enforcement agencies and federal regulators with jurisdiction over accident scenes whenever requested."

In the aftermath of the recalls, Congress is considering upgrading auto safety laws to stiffen potential penalties against automakers, give the government more powers to demand a recall and push car companies to meet new safety standards.

Toyota's US sales chief, Jim Lentz, told Congress last week that dealers have fixed nearly 3.5mil vehicles under the recall and the company and its dealers have conducted 2,000 inspections of vehicles. Lentz said there was no evidence that electronics are to blame for the sudden acceleration reports.

NHTSA administrator David Strickland told lawmakers the agency had spoken to nearly 100 vehicle owners who said they had unintended acceleration following a recall fix, but NHTSA had not seen pedal entrapment or sticky accelerators in any vehicles that have been properly repaired.

The government is investigating acceleration problems in Toyotas and a separate 15-month study by the National Academy of Sciences is scheduled to begin in July. - AP

Posted by: Anthony Lim

Shell Lubricants will be rewarding four lucky Malaysians to a two-day all expenses paid trip to Maranello on Nov 18-19, and all you have to do is be one of the four winners of the Shell Helix Ferrari Adventure Challenge which is on now.

Divided into two phases, all you have to do to be in the running to win is answer a simple question and submit the entry form with proof of purchase of any 4l packs of Shell Helix Ultra AB, Shell Helix Ultra, Shell Helix HX7 or Shell Helix HX7 Diesel. Participants with the correct answer on the contest forms will be shortlisted to win cash prizes in Phase 1 and stand a chance to participate in the Shell Helix Ferrari Adventure Challenge Phase 2.

Phase 1, which runs until July 31, offers 12 first prizes of RM1,000 cash, as well as a chance to participate in Phase 2. There are also 10 second prizes of RM1,000 cash and 80 consolation prizes of RM200 cash to be won here.



Selected winners will be awarded an additional RM1,000 for participating in Phase 2, and the top 12 contestants will compete for the four grand prizes.

The four eventual winners will be privy to an exclusive meet-and-greet session with the Ferrari Formula One Team drivers as well as be driven around Fiorano by the F1 drivers. They'll also get to experience the Ferrari road cars and explore the Ferrari road car factory and Formula One workshops.

To catch a glimpse of the experience that awaits you, you can view the action from the 2009 Shell Helix Inside-Ferrari event at www.shell.com.my/helixferrariadventure. Original contest forms are available at all participating Shell Helix workshops, spare part shops and Shell stations. It can also be downloaded with its full terms and conditions from the above-mentioned URL.

Posted by: Anthony Lim


A BMW 320d recently completed a record-breaking journey from the UK to Munich and back – on one tank of fuel.

Filled up at the Channel Tunnel, the 320d EfficientDynamics sedan, piloted by British motoring journalist Tom Ford, made it to Munich, then as far as Lille on the return leg – a staggering total of 1,013 miles (1,630km) on a single tank of fuel – before needing to be refuelled.

There was no use of efficient driving techniques such as coasting or driving deliberately slowly for the trip, though he did switch the air con and radio off as a concession to fuel saving.



Ford managed a reasonable pace for the journey, which Brit newspaper The Sunday Times ran the story on last weekend, and returned an official combined figure of 24.42km per litre (68.9mpg), with an average speed of 95kmh.

“I was prepared for this car to fail in the real world. I was wrong. Although I did try and be careful and drive in a feather-footed manner, I did cruise at a reasonable 105kmh on the autoroutes and autobahns, so it was faster than the usual economy run pace," Ford said.

“Think about it in the context of everyday motoring - comfortably more than 1,000 miles (1,600km) on one tank of diesel means just 12 fills a year for the average motorist – and even driven normally I still think you're looking at 700-800 miles (1,125-1,285km) per fill."

By AGATHA MATAYUN
motoring@thestar.com.my

The Peugeot RCZ shows the car maker has the designing chops to create a very desirable automobile.

AT THE 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, French carmaker Peugeot unveiled an eye-catching concept car as a platform to stamp its pedigree in the world of automotive design and engineering.

In recent years Peugeot, the world’s 10th biggest carmaker, had been the target of some rather unfavourable remarks pertaining to its seeming tendency to produce “frumpy” designs for the mass market.

Comparing its offerings, or lack of it, in the same segment with the likes of the VW Scirocco and the Audi TT, those in the higher plane of motoring were wondering if Peugeot had sold its soul to the devil of volume-production!

Fate must have been smiling on Peugeot that day in Frankfurt because that concept car, simply called the 308 RCZ (it was based on the 308 hatchback), created not just a buzz but a whirlwind of interest.

As a result, turning it into a commercial reality as soon as possible became the focus of the stylists and engineers at Peugeot.

At the same time, they also worked at developing a fresher image for the company to complement the new arrival.

In the brief span of three years, they seem to have achieved those ambitions.

The RCZ is out there, a compact 2+2 coupe that looks so elegantly sporty it will surely give its already well-positioned competitors a run for their money.

Posh: Neat and sporty touches add to the allure.

Those following the progress of the RCZ say it looks almost exactly like the concept, right down to the double-bubble roof and rear window that was inspired by the Peugeot Le Mans car.

To commemorate the launch of the new addition in the family, the company thereby adopted a new motto “Motion and Emotion” and a redesigned “Lion” badge.

And to give the new car its own special identity, the RCZ is the first passenger car by Peugeot that doesn’t use the central zero numbering system for identification (as in 407, 307, etc).

So, has the RCZ rekindled Peugeot’s art of style and driving fun? The jury is still out but response so far has been hugely positive, word being that Peugeot has not only returned to its sporting roots but it has done so with a car that is accessible to younger buyers.

Up close and personal, the RCZ is very impressive.

I was among the motoring hacks invited by Nasim Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Peugeot in Malaysia, to test-drive the RCZ in Spain late last month.

From what I saw, it exudes style from every angle. The double-bubble roof and rear windscreen, its most distinctive features, seem to add a touch of the surreal to the whole work.

Inside, the interior is posh with some nice touches such as double-stitched leather on the seats and dashboard and a neat instrument panel.

The seats, a cosy wrap-around with integral headrests, are fitted very low, as is typical of most sports cars. This lower seating point was a bit of a concern for me initially as I got into the car.

Sitting in the position set by the previous driver, I could not even get a good view of the front! But I had enough time to manoeuvre it to my requirements and pretty soon it was the way I wanted it to be.

As for the two rear seats – well, they are there but the space is so limited they would be suitable only for short journeys or for a couple of very small children.

The rear seats were included for practical purposes, according to Peugeot. Well, one can never tell when the uninvited family or friend will turn up and ask for a lift, right?

The boot is surprisingly large at 384 litres, and for additional space, the rear seats can be folded down for some 760 litres of space.

The seats are fitted very low, as is typical of most sports cars. The ones at the back are unsurprisingly lacking in space

For more aerodynamic efficiency, there is a small automatic rear spoiler in the boot. It pops up automatically at a 19 degree angle at 85kph and fully extends to 34 degrees at speeds over 155kph. It returns to the first position at 145kph and folds back when speed is below 55kph.

Fitted with a manual override, the spoiler can be activated to position 2 at the push of a button located on the centre console if the driver wants it up at low speeds.

Taking the long road

The rugged terrain of Elciego in the Basque country of northern Spain was a perfect setting to put the RCZ through its paces.

The course covered a 240km-route of mainly single carriageway roads winding over the hills past the Rioja vineyards and farmlands of Elciego; tiny village lanes; and small sections of the motorway.

The layout was good as it allowed the drivers to really test the RCZ’s power, handling and ride comfort especially when negotiating up and down the hills and twisty bits.

In between reading the map and giving the directions, this passenger could enjoy the beauty of the Basque countryside.

The flag-off point was the Marques De Riscal hotel, an awe-inspiring post-structuralist building designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry.

Lined up below the hotel’s titanium eaves, it was as if the RCZs were being shown off as a revolutionary advance in style for their maker, just as the buildling was for its creators.

Technical matters

For the test, we got our hands on the 1.6-litre THP petrol model and the 2.0litre HDI FAP turbodiesel, both fitted with six-speed manual gearboxes, for me and my partner.

On paper, the diesel is slated to produce a maximum power of 163bhp at 3,750rpm and a maximum torque of 340Nm, available from 2,000 to 3,000rpm. Fuel consumption is stated as 5.3 litres per 100km in the combined cycle with a CO2 emissions figure of 139g/km.

The diesel engine is equipped with a gear shift indicator that can tell the driver visually the best moment to change gear in order to optimise fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

For the petrol version, the 1,598 cubic centimetre four-cylinder engine combines – in a world first – all of the most recent technologies including the THP and VTi engine. It should push a maximum torque of 275Nm (from 1,700rpm and up to 4,500rpm) and maximum power of 200bhp (from 5,500rpm to 6,800rpm), enjoys good acceleration (0 to 100kph in 7.6 seconds) and fuel economy of 6.9 litres/100km in the combined cycle (with 159g/km of CO2).

Away we go

So does the car drive as good as it looks? Throughout the first leg of the drive in the petrol unit, there was little to complain about, with the car meeting expectations when tackling the hills and bends.

It absorbed the bumps with ease and there was very little body roll when cornering. Steering was responsive with the car going exactly where it was pointed.

The motor had a pleasing sporty chug to it, and even the passenger seat was comfortable with ample leg room.

The diesel variant felt heavier and the exhaust note naturally lacked the sporty crescendo of the petrol’s, but it was a cinch to handle.

Although it was noticeably more nose-heavy, it was equally fun as the petrol model. It has so much torque there was no real danger of being caught out in the wrong gear, not even going uphill.

According to Nasim, the RCZ will be launched in Malaysia either at the end of this year or early 2011.

“At the moment, we are only looking at bringing in the petrol versions of the RCZ,” said Naza Group manager of corporate communications and principal liaison Ashwin Raman.

“As for the transmission, we are still deliberating on whether to bring in the manual or automatic transmission or both.”

At the Peugeot press conference in Elciego, it was pointed out that the RCZ would be marketed as an image/niche model rather than a high volume model, with 17,000 units being the figure for a full year of sales. However, production could be raised up to 20,000 a year if demand was good.

“We expect it to be the same in Malaysia,” Ashwin says.

“As such, we won’t have a high sales target for it. As for the positioning of the RCZ, we will market it to the same consumers interested in the Audi TT.”

Crossing Koleos

Renault hasn’t gone the SUV route until lately. But now that it has, here’s lookin’ at it.

FOR most Malaysians out shopping for foreign makes, Renault isn’t exactly a name that springs immediately to mind.

“Oh, isn’t that the maker of the odd-looking, tallish car? What’s the name again – Kandour, Kangroo…..ahh yes, Kangoo!” a friend exclaimed as she was asked what she knew of the French marque.

That was the extent of her limited exposure, and she couldn’t rattle off the Scenic, Clio, Megane and Laguna that formed part of the Renault stable.

The Koleos, Renault’s first 4X4 crossover, has styling that looks attractive without being excessive.

Truth is Renault is a brand that has yet to gain the same visibility and instant recognition as a Honda or Hyundai in this neck of the woods. But its local distributor, TC Euro Cars is working hard to overcome the handicap and is set to have local assembly of a model, after the Kangoo, in the near future.

Poke your head into a TC Euro Cars outlet these days and you will find, wonder of wonders, an SUV doing showroom duty on the floor.

It’s called the Koleos by the way.

Unlike the Kangoo’s quirky shape, the Koleos looks like a regular SUV, but Renault prefers to call it a crossover, thank you.

The Koleos has the honour of being Renault’s first crossover.

Like the Honda CR-V, it bills itself as a vehicle that drives and feels like a car yet have the competency of a softroader.

It has 4WD, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist with fairly decent ground clearance in its claim to offroading ability.

Still, it’s no secret that the petrol Koleos, like all SUVs, will serve mostly street duty in its lifetime, marking SUV owners predictable in that sense. Its calling is predominantly tarmac driving with little of that offroad acrobatics you would expect far battle-hardened offroaders to handle with gusto.

Its styling suggests robustness and it looks attractive without being ostentatious.

Starting from the front, the Renault logo is flanked by air intakes and modern elliptical headlamps.

Seen from a higher vantage point, the “arrow” that flows from the rear lights along the car’s flanks to the front gives the Koleos somewhat an assertive air.

The distinctive lines of its hatch form a movement that spills from the bottom of the rear window to converge on the logo.

The rakish rear screen, moreover, suggests forward movement.

The interior design is based on a series of flowing curves. The bottom of the dashboard forms a wave-like line which gives the impression that the cowling is actually floating on the dashboard.

It comes with a charcoal-colour theme interior with fabric seats, complemented by a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob.

Being French, Renault insists on doing things its own way. Like the location of the speed limiter/cruise control switch next to the engine start/stop button and the fact the stereo controls are installed behind the steering wheel.

The test car was an earlier unit that did not have satnav but the ones Malaysians get will have one integrated into the centre of the dashboard instead of having a plain LCD display.

Renault’s experience in producing MPVs came in handy as the way the cabin is structured evokes a feeling of spaciousness.

At 946mm, the driver and front passenger enjoys record headroom in the SUV/4x4/crossover category, while rear passengers benefit from a balance between vertical and lateral space. Given the 4.5m overall length, a little bigger than the Nissan X-Trail, access to front and rear seats is simple, with ample room for legs and hips.

Speaking of storage spaces, there’s plenty from the Koleos – door pockets all round, underseat stowage, and deep glovebox and centre console compartment.

The split tailgate also makes loading of bulky items easier and seats can be folded forward for extra space if required.

This crossover is truly a product of international teamwork.

Under the so-called Renault-Nissan-Samsung Alliance, Renault came out with the design and the engine, while the Japanese handled the technological and engineering works – particularly the 4WD drivetrain. The Renault-Samsung’s factory in South Korea is responsible for building it.

As milestones go, the Koleos, which started production in 2008, was the first Renault to be produced by the Renault-Samsung partnership.

The all-wheel drive system in the Koleos features automatic torque split between the front and the rear.

In normal driving conditions, torque is delivered to the front wheels. However when required, up to 50% of torque is transferred to the rear wheels via an electronic coupler, controlled by a Nissan-developed intelligent system.

The Koleos, matched to a seamless constantly variable transmission, coped well with some mud tracks on hilly construction sites in Rawang, Selangor.

It felt agile on the road, and the direct steering provides good feel, making it car-like in that respect. Bodyroll is bound to happen in a tall car especially through bends, but it’s well-controlled without nasty surprises.

The Koleos has earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating for safety, so you know much effort has been put into the vehicle to ensure you stay alive in a crash.

The Koleos is coming late into the SUV game but on hindsight, it’s not such a bad thing.

It gives Renault time to learn from those before it. And it has. Its crossover outing is a respectable effort.

Story and photos by LAI VOON LOONG
motoring@thestar.com.my

Nissan has just the answer for those who don’t really need a pick-up packing a 4X4.

HANDS up all those who own a 4X4 SUV or pick-up truck.

Wow, seems like quite a number of you. Hands up those who actually shift it into four-wheel drive mode for a spot of jungle bashing.

As I suspected, just a few of you. Many people who buy 4X4s never actually take advantage of the 4X4 drive system. Instead, they buy SUVs and 4X4 pick-up trucks for the spaciousness and versatility.

And in the case of most pick-up trucks, they tend to be really good buys too, with their prices comparable to their much smaller entry-level sedan siblings.

Enter the new Nissan Navara Calibre 4X2 twin cab pick-up truck, another variant of the Navara 4X4 Mother Trucker.

And for ease of writing, I’ll refer to the 4X2 variant as the Calibre and the 4X4 as the Mother Trucker.

As its name implies, the Navara Calibre is two-wheel drive, which means only two of the four wheels drive the vehicle along, in this case, the rear wheels.

At first glance, you will not notice any difference between the Calibre and 4X4 Mother Trucker.

In fact, try as hard as you may, you won’t find differences at all. The Calibre 4X2 shares the same classy good looks as the Mother Trucker.

The exterior dimensions are exactly the same.

Likewise the cargo bed, interior layout, the seating arrangement and just about everything else that can be seen with the naked eye are the same.

Short of bringing out the X-ray machine, no external differences are perceivable until you take a peek at the undercarriage.

The Calibre lacks a 4X4 drive system, which makes it some 120kg lighter than the Mother Trucker.

You would think that the Calibre would have a weight advantage when comparing performance but the engine has been slightly detuned.

That is about the only difference you’re going to find.

Both Calibre and Mother Trucker share the same 2,488 cc 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. But as mentioned before, the Calibre’s engine has been detuned to a maximum 144bhp at 4,000rpm as opposed to the Mother Trucker’s 174bhp.

A loss of 30bhp is a significant difference but because of the Calibre’s lighter weight, the detuned engine doesn’t have to work as hard.

I could not perceive any difference in performance between the Calibre 4X2 and the 4X4 Mother Trucker, which I reviewed quite some time back. Maximum torque is also down – 356Nm at 2,000 rpm for the Calibre compared to the Mother Trucker’s 403Nm.

Mated to the diesel engine is the same five-speed auto box as the Mother Trucker’s. You’ll only find five-speed auto transmissions on some higher-end imported vehicles.

I found the gear ratios well spaced to take advantage of the torque without causing much strain on the engine.

This was particularly useful on the highways where the transmission kicked down smoothly for quick spurts of acceleration while overtaking.

And to keep it all nice and safe, the Calibre also comes with anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), the latter usually found in more expensive vehicles.

Due to inertia and the laws of physics a fully loaded pick-up truck will take a longer distance to stop than an unladen one.

EBD will take into account the weight of the cargo load and apply an optimised brakeforce to help stop the vehicle in a shorter and safer distance.

The actual driveability of the Calibre’s engine on the road is still quite impressive.

The Calibre did exceptionally well on the highway, keeping up with much of the traffic. The Calibre has been configured specifically for asphalt.

In fact, it feels and drives like an oversized sedan except that the Calibre is built rock solid.

But being designed as a two-wheel drive, it lacks the necessary off-road gear like chunky tyres, diffs, rock sliders and a winch.

But because the Calibre shares much of its DNA with bad boy Mother Trucker, you are assured that it’s not going to be perturbed by the numerous potholes and speed bumps that litter our urban streets.

I dare say that it probably will also do well on light gravel or laterite trails that are found in numerous rubber and oil palm estates.

Just make sure you do it in the dry because two-wheel drive isn’t really suited for muddy conditions.

Did I mention that the Calibre is huge?

With an overall length of more than 5.2 metres and an overall width of just over 1.8 metres, the Calibre and the Mother Trucker are not so manoeuvrable in tight spaces like a hypermarket car park.

Thank goodness, the Calibre is equipped with a reverse sensor or I would be backing it into a pillar or someone’s car.

It would also be nice if all the Navara variants could be equipped with a reverse camera as an option.

Designed more for the urban jungle rather than the rainforests, the Navara Calibre 4X2 is a great vehicle if you want a pick-up truck but not the four-wheel drive that comes with it.

The Navara Calibre 4x2 is yours for RM90,278 OTR with insurance.

By SUJESH PAVITHRAN

BMW’s new X1 scored points where it mattered most — the wife-acceptance factor.

THE BMW X1 is an SUV all right, but it hugs the road closer than is typical of its ilk and can almost, but not quite, be mistaken for a station wagon.

You get the sense that the 1 Series DNA runs in it but, in reality, the X1 is based on the all-wheel drive 3 Series Touring platform.

The review unit came in a striking copper-bronze finish and my wife’s reaction was surprising — the sleek and muscular looks, and colour were greeted with instant approval.

An observation: The bonnet on the X1 just goes on and on and on...

The X1 scored more points when she got in and found the front passenger seat to be electronically controlled.

This can only be good news for married men with an eye on an SUV — the wife-acceptance factor of the X1 is high.

Me, I found the grille somewhat cumbersome looking, while the bonnet just went on and on and on!

During the weekend we had it, the X1 was certainly a head-turner. Other cars were always making way for us; obviously, people wanted to get a better look at the X1 on the move!

The unit I was driving was the xDrive20d, the turbo-diesel version powered by a 1,995cc, four-cylinder engine with 177 horses on tap at 4,000rpm, and an impressive 350Nm of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rotations.

The interior is functional.

There’s a very slick, six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission coupled to the engine that allows manual shifting for those who want such a level of control.

The X1 has an all-wheel drive system, with a suspension that rides firmly and lends a solid and unshakeable feel to the vehicle over uneven surfaces.

It’s this character that the young and adventurous at heart yearn for.

This is not an SUV that pampers you (certainly, not going by the trim level); instead, it makes you pay attention to its road-holding, cornering and accelerating abilities, all of which are quite unique at this price point.

The engine is captivating once you’re off the blocks and cruising — the vehicle responds to the manual shifts quickly, and the power/torque factor allows the X1 to accelerate and overtake with impunity.

It’s typically BMW — brutal enough for the aggressive driver and, yet, able to settle into a more leisurely mode with ease.

Sure, there are the downsides for some drivers.

I was never really too happy with the driving position throughout the time I had the X1.

If I got myself in the perfect position from waist-up, it was a bit of a stretch for my legs and if I moved forward to rectify this, then I felt somewhat cramped upside.

The electronically-controlled settings for the steering were cool, though.

Creature comforts lean towards the basic rather than the excessive; the dashboard console is functional rather than flashy, and storage cubbyholes are limited.

The smaller “glove” box on top of the centre console, I suspect, is there because the local unit isn’t getting a fancier display or GPS. A shame really...

Automatic climate control is provided, but there are no air-con vents at the back.

The rear storage area is generous enough, and a privacy cover ensures that whatever you’re carrying is shielded from prying eyes.

A sleek roof rack takes care of bigger loads you might want to lug along for those dangerous outdoor activities.

Xenon headlights, a daytime driving light featuring BMW’s signature “Corona Rings”, and two-tone leather seats and sides are on the menu as well.

Technology-wise, there’s a combination of stability, cornering, traction and brake control to ensure the X1 stays firm on slippery surfaces if you’re keeping at reasonable speeds. I felt it to be tighter around the corners than most SUVs I’ve driven and this without a full load.

The muscular treads — 225/50 R17 all around — add to the visceral appeal of the X1.

As I said, the equipment trim inside is nothing to write home about; if you’re paying the princely sum of RM299,800 for an SUV or car, you would rightly expect to be pampered a bit more.

However, if it’s a BMW SUV you yearn, this won’t matter one bit — the X1 just invites you to get in, buckle up and take your pick of highway or pot-holed road.

Thrills ensured either way.

Story and photos by ANTHONY LIM

What’s in a name? Well, nothing, and everything, really. It can be a source of great cachet, or it can be somewhat of a millstone around the neck. Perception, of course, has everything to do with it, and usually it’s built through years and years of conditioning.

Now, we all have our little biases, and it’s no different for cars. Mention the term "Korean car" to most folk, and there'd have been a time when most wouldn’t have taken it seriously. Call it snobbery, call it disdain, maybe a mixture of both, but arguably, aside from the question marks of long-term ownership issues, the many offerings plying their wares looked uninspired and felt bare and devoid of character, emotionally and physically.

Granted, your average Japanese low to mid-end offering wasn’t exactly brimming with emotive character either, and some of them weren’t lookers, but at least things hung together that more cohesively. Clever packaging, and of course a reputation from years of offering bomb-proof reliability – well, maybe not just at the moment – plus that ultimate decider, resale value, meant it was always easy to decide for many.

But how far it has all come along, and the intent to get serious and offer products that not only tackle the competition, but even better them in many aspects, has never been more evident than now.

One only has to look at something like Naza Kia's Forte to see the aim, which is very much square and true. In all honesty, it’s probably not all quite there yet, but how close it is all getting indeed. Putting in place an European for a chief designer has done the trick where styling is concerned, but there’s more to the improved psyche than just good looks.

No, this one, well, is different. There’s plenty of thought that has gone into it, not just from a mechanical perspective, but from a psychological one as well. You can engineer things into any car, though you can either choose to do it with consideration and care, or simply place it in because they’re needed to sell the car.

In terms of equipment level, the Forte – which is available in 1.6 and 2.0l forms and in three variant types, namely the Forte 1.6 EX, 1.6 SX and 2.0 SX – has a fair bit in the bag.

The entry-level Forte 1.6 EX, rolling in at RM75,800, has a 1.6l twin-cam CVVT four pot that puts out 122bhp at 6,300rpm and 156Nm of torque at 4,200rpm. It’s the most bare-boned of the lot, with 15-inch steel wheels with 195/65 series tyres and a rather basic interior. You still get front fog lamps and ABS though, as well as dual front airbags and an electro-chromic rear view mirror to help reduce rear-view headlight glare.

The higher specified Forte 1.6 SX comes with all the above, and a whole lot more in the way of features for RM81,800; besides interior trim, where the seat fabric is of a higher quality, there are 17-inch alloys, Smart Key access and push-button ignition, and the air-conditioning system is a full climate control unit.

Additional driver aid enhancements to the basic ABS come in the form of electronic stability control, electronic brake distribution, cornering brake control, brake assist system and traction control system.

The SX also features a Supervision Cluster, which provides better visibility for safe manoeuvring with its red-tone lighting. Also, you get telescopic adjustment for the steering wheel, a Rear Parking Assist System (RPAS) and a windshield that's coated with an ultraviolet protection tint. It also gets an in-dash six CD changer audio system (a single-disc unit on the EX), though USB and iPod connectivity are offered as standard across the entire model range.

As for the Forte 2.0 SX, this one is equipped with a Theta II 2.0l twin-cam CVVT engine offering 154bhp at 6,200rpm and 194Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. Equipped with all features found on the 1.6 SX, the 2.0 SX adds on a premium leather package, six airbags and a Motor Driven Power Steering system (MDPS), which enhances steering stability, for the added price premium, which is RM93,800.

Six colour options are available for the vehicle, these being Clear White, Bright Silver, Metal Bronze, Titanium Silver, Spicy Red and Ebony Black.

All the models feature a four-speed auto transmission, which in use is serviceable and smooth enough, but throwing in a five-speed would have been spot on the dot. As it is, the second gear is rather long (to 110kmh if you floor the pedal), and has to work a fair bit in the overall scheme of things.

At low levels, the Gamma 1.6l block can feel a bit lazy, and with second being what it is, there’s not much in the way of immediacy. It also feels a bit zingy going into the upper rev range, but up the spectrum the engine feels peppy and hauls the car along quite willingly, and at speed it becomes evident that it’s not vague or soft in scope. In this regard, the EX certainly does better in comfort, but trades off handling and outright incision for this.

The SX is certainly the prime cut of the three, given its price (of course, you can never have too much power, which is where the 2.0l comes in, yes) and what it offers for that. Drivability levels with the 17s are actually quite high, though on the very initial test run the tyres were way over-pressured, leading to a skittish, jarring car that was not too comfortable with rough input.

At correct levels, the ride is quite compliant, with traces of being European, almost, and though there’s still a fair amount of body roll present, the Forte tracks well enough pitched hard into corners. The steering is quite fast too, and relatively decent in terms of accuracy levels, even if the response to input isn’t all that informative during turn-in.

Still, the overall appeal of the Forte isn’t just in the way it handles or drives, nor is it the level of kit it comes with. It’s the way it’s all threaded and presented, looks included, and how it all pieces together so organically to offer a car that you can feel good about being in all day, that makes for the allure.

This is a strong product, with arguably the wrong badge slapped on it, at least for now. Call this a Toyota or a Honda, and the waiting list would probably be years long. Still, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are reputations, but this is surely a great way to start signalling a fresh intent to get there.

By SANDRA LOW. Photos by ANTHONY LIM.

Having had my Kancil for almost a decade now, I had been thinking of replacing it (albeit with a heavy heart as it has served me so well with no major problems), so when the offer to test-drive a Kia Picanto EX landed on my desk, I didn’t think twice.

Every time this adorable looking compact car – available in two variants, the LS and higher specification EX - with its endearing doe-eyed headlights whizzed past on the road, I would give it a good, long stare, admiring its great looking body and mentally making a note to list it as a possible contender.

Looking at the external frame of this curvy 1.1l vehicle, and from the print advertisements hawking its compact cuteness directly at the female audience, it was obviously a car that was designed with the woman in mind – but I found out otherwise.

For a 1.1l vehicle I found the acceleration surprisingly sluggish as even my current Kancil EZ850 offers a stronger pick up. The engine offers 63bhp at 5,500rpm and 96Nm of torque at 2,800rpm, and the car is equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission.

When I slipped into the driver’s seat I immediately felt that the seat seemed measly. The height was awkwardly low and this has to be its biggest downside. At 160cm I measure up as an average Asian woman in height, and when I sat down and gripped the steering wheel I immediately didn’t feel comfortable as it was much lower than I would have preferred.

Reaching down for a seat height adjustor, I didn’t find one. At the end of the first day driving the Picanto, I had a backache as I was constantly pulling my body upwards so that I would have a clearer and better view of what was ahead of me.

Since I had the car for three days I solved the problem by sitting on top of a high cushion - which made the height perfect! Not exactly conventional, yes; for a car that is presumably targeted at women, the height of the seat seems like it was designed for a man or probably a tall Caucasian woman.

Next, I adjusted the distance of the chair so that my legs were comfortable enough to reach the pedals and my arms held the steering wheels at ease. After doing this, I found that as I reached for the handbrake with my left hand, the handbrake appeared to be positioned further behind.

My left arm had to battle with the protruding portion of the sides of the chair before I could grip the handbrake. Again, this is about the proportion of the features in this car that seems to be designed for a taller person.

The anti-glare flap above the driver’s seat was unusually large, and I thought it would be great to cut out the sun’s glare.

When I folded it down, it covered one third of the right side of the rearview mirror. That crucial one third of the mirror would help you detect a vehicle coming up on the right behind you. So, if the flap was put down to cut the glare, you would easily miss a car or motorbike whizzing by at top speed.

Like the Kancil, the Picanto should have had a curved cut out on the left edge of the anti-glare flap to avoid blocking the rear-view mirror.

Not having the instruction manual didn’t help, but the car sure felt like it didn’t come with an alarm, which I feel should be included as a standard feature to help you find your vehicle and as a safety alarm.

Also, another feature that left me quite baffled was the antenna. The angle of its protrusion was such that the tip of the antenna kept hitting the ceiling of at least three different car parks that I ventured into!

With a large outer body I expected this compact car to offer a larger boot space, but it wasn’t the case. The Picanto’s boot space is 95.25cm wide, 45.72cm deep and 38.1cm tall, compared to the Kancil’s 104.14cm width, 53.34cm depth and 45.72cm height, making it slightly less spacious - which is crucial as space is a precious commodity when it comes to compact cars.

The backseat for passengers offered a roomy space with reasonable legroom, and it has attempted to provide sufficient storage space on the door and in front of the front seats.

What I liked though about driving the Picanto was the smoothness and ease negotiating parking lots and tight turns, and having a power steering (a luxury that never came with the Kancil) made manoeuvring the Picanto a breeze. It drives well enough too, getting the job done without fuss or fanfare.

Priced at RM46,800 (the LS version goes for RM44,500), the Picanto is on the whole a decent offering, and in its segment should do well enough, though addressing some of the shortcomings wouldn’t be too difficult and would I think make the car a much stronger proposition for many.

 

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