Lexus LFA to compete in Nürburgring 24 Hours

The Lexus LFA is heading back to Nürburgring this May, the place where it clocked plenty of testing miles in pre-production form. This time, the mission is to challenge for glory in the famed 24 hours endurance race.It will be the first time the production LFA enters a competition. However, the car isn’t a stranger to the Nürburgring 24 Hours as development versions of Lexus’ supercar were entered in two previous occasions to help hone performance...

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Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso

The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8. The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint...

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B-Class AMG not exactly a B-Class AMG?

Apparently the B-Class AMG we talked about right below this story isn’t exactly going to be a B-Class AMG, according to a new story by Auto Express. What AMG will actually be doing is developing a compact “CLS lite” about 4,500mm long based on the next generation B-Class chassis. That’s just slightly shorter than an E90 BMW 3-Series.The car is known internally in AMG as the C117 EVO and is expected to be priced around £30,000, much cheaper than the...

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Renault and Daimler close to a stake swap tie-up?

Word is that Daimler AG and Renault are very close to a German-French ‘alliance’ that includes a “symbolic” equity swap of 3%. Daimler AG would hold 3% of Renault and Renault will be taking up 3% of Daimler AG. The official word from the two companies confirm that they are in talks for some kind of collaboration, but declined to confirm that it would include an equity stake swap.Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said at the Geneva Motorshow earlier...

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Nissan Patrol-based Infiniti QX56 leaked ahead of New York

Here are some leaked low-res images of the 2011 Infiniti QX56, which will make its debut at the New York Auto Show. The largest of Infiniti’s 4X4s is meant to be a rival to the Lexus LX, and is based on Nissan’s new Patrol that was unveiled in the Middle East last month.The latest Patrol is powered by a 5.6-litre direct-injected V8 with 400 bhp and 550 Nm paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and it’s most likely that the QX56 will sport...

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Ford Focus RS

A limited edition 500 unit run of the Focus RS called the Focus RS500 will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on April 9 next month. Each car will have its own serial number and only 101 of them will be available in UK, with the rest scattered around the car’s other markets.No, the RS500 name doesn’t mean the car makes 500 horsepower, but as you can already guess from the first paragraph it denotes...

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Renault Koleos crossover to be launched this weekend – full details and image gallery here!

Local Renault distributor TC Euro Cars held a media preview of its Koleos crossover hours ago, ahead of the 4X4’s public launch this weekend. The Koleos is the French brand’s first true SUV and it sits in the Honda CR-V mid-size category (overall length of 4520 mm is identical to the Honda’s, but 2690 mm wheelbase is 70 mm longer). The Koleos is a product that draws the best out of the Renault-Nissan Alliance – drivetrain and 4X4 system...

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Infiniti celebrates 20th birthday with special G37

Infiniti has just released four new G Anniversary Editions, built in commemoration of the Nissan luxury division’s 20th anniversary. Just 350 G Sedans and 200 each for the Coupe and Convertible will be available, scheduled to go on sale in mid-April in the US. The Anniversary Editions are based on the high-spec “Journey” or AWD variants of the cars, which comes with a 328 bhp/365 Nm 3.7-litre V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission, Sport Package...

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Honda CR-V facelift in Malaysia adds VSA stability control and side airbags

The Honda CR-V facelift is now here in Malaysia, with a new price tag of RM149,980, a premium of slightly over RM2k when you compared it to the outgoing pre-facelift model. However in return for the RM2k the equipment list has had some very important safety additions in my opinion. Here’s what’s new:VSA stability control has been added to the vehicle.There are now a total of 4 airbags, up from the previous 2. The additional 2 are the two Occupant...

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Ford Fiesta in M’sia – preliminary specs unveiled!

If you’ve not seen Ford’s B-segment contender in the metal before, a nice red-coloured hatchback body example is currently on display in Blue Concourse, Sunway Pyramid new wing this weekend starting from today. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion has also unveiled the preliminary specifications for the Fiesta 1.6 liter Sport model:1.6 liter Ti-VCT engine producing 120 PS at 6,500rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4,500rpm.6-speed automatic Ford Powershift twin clutch...

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Peugeot Hoggar reminds us of the Proton Arena!

Remember Proton’s Wira based Arena “pick-up truck”? I still see some pasar malam traders putting the Arena to good use and it has carved out a niche for itself in Australia, where it’s called Jumbuck. Here’s one car with a similar concept from Peugeot, and it’s called the Hoggar. The Hoggar is made for the South American market, and is based on the domestic 207. However, the 207 in question is not the same car that competes in Europe’s supermini...

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F11 BMW 5-Series Touring – first looks

BMW has unveiled the wagon version of the new 5-Series, and it’s called the BMW 5-Series Touring, which I find amusing because the “Touring” seems to have a larger storage area than the “GRAND Touring” model. Less is more? This is the proper estate with a huge boot space – starts at 560 liters and goes up to a maximum of 1,670 liters by folding down the 40:20:40 split rear seats, which are also individually inclinable by 11 degrees...

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Volvo V50 2.0 Powershift Test Drive Report

Estates, or station wagons as they’re more commonly known here, appeal to a very small segment of buyers in Malaysia. Most associate them with hearses, but there are fans. I for one, love the idea of wagons even though I’m not married with kids or involved in business that requires lugging around goods; favourites include the B5 Audi RS4 Avant and Alfa 156 Sportwagon, cars which shapes I admire more than their saloon sisters. Not many choices in...

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Toyota fights fire with facts in runaway Prius case

Toyotas running away from their owners are occuring at a frequent rate these days, but are all cases genuine or is there something sinister behind the allegations? Could it be like the scandals facing celebrities, where the first few bonafide revelations open the gates for many “victims” trying to “cash in” on the situation?One James Sikes called 911 earlier this month, saying that his 2008 Prius was traveling at a high rate of speed,...

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Lexus LFA to compete in Nürburgring 24 Hours

The Lexus LFA is heading back to Nürburgring this May, the place where it clocked plenty of testing miles in pre-production form. This time, the mission is to challenge for glory in the famed 24 hours endurance race.It will be the first time the production LFA enters a competition. However, the car isn’t a stranger to the Nürburgring 24 Hours as development versions of Lexus’ supercar were entered in two previous occasions to help hone performance...

Read More

Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso

The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8. The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint...

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BMW 325i with full BMW Performance kit!

Now this is a sight that you seriously won’t see often – an E90 Sedan with almost the full range of BMW Performance add-ons installed. And I say this because the total cost of the full kit clocks in at RM103,300, which is what you’ll have to pay over what it costs to buy a 325i in the first place, which is over RM300k.So that’s over RM400k, which is actually still not enough for a 335i since that twin-turbo baby in BMW Individual trim goes for...

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Audi A8 Hybrid – the limo that won’t cost the earth

TheAudi A8 is the newest limo on the block and this is the A8 hybrid which aims to be the greenest in the segment. Shown at the Geneva show for the first time, the A8 hybrid’s drivetrain consists of two propulsion units – a 2.0 TFSI internal combustion engine and an electric motor – that develop a total output of 245 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. This enables a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 235 km/h, done in Transporter style coolness....

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Mitsubishi sells 100,000 i-MiEVs to a single buyer?

Yes, that’s true, and the buyer in question is PSA Peugeot Citroën. Mitsubishi has announced the signing of a “Final Cooperative Agreement” that will see the French giant purchase 100,000 units of the i-MiEV electric car. PSA will market the rebadged i-MiEV as the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero. Both French badged cars will go on sale in Europe by the end of this year, starting with their domestic market.This sealed deal comes just...

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Hear the Aston Martin One-77’s V12 howl!

I don’t know about you but an Aston Martin has always seemed to be like the more refined and gentlemanly alternative to more hot blooded cars like a Ferrari. I found that appealing. But now Aston Martin has developed a limited edition car with aggressive looks. Under its hood is a monstrous 7.3 litre V12 engine with over 750 bhp. Good thing is thanks to that V12 it has the soundtrack to accompany its looks – check out the video after the jump,...

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Sexy Alfa Romeo Giulietta says ciao to Selespeed!

The 147 replacement Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be without doubt the most sensational looking five-door hatchback in the market when it goes on sale in Italy later this month. Making its world debut in Geneva, the first right-hand drive models will go to the UK in June. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, how about this for a 2010 Christmas present for the Malaysian market?The Giulietta takes on Alfa’s current long headamps as seen on the Mito...

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RUF RGT-8: a 911 without a boxer engine?

I don’t know about you but RUF is the first name that comes to my mind when I think of a souped up Porsche. They have a few cars in their line-up, even one based on the Cayenne, but while other Porsche models like the Cayenne gets taglines like ‘an SUV lover’s Porsche’, or the ‘poor man’s Porsche’ for the Boxster (not here in Malaysia of course), it is the 911 that is considered THE Porsche. And the first RUF RGT was based on a 911 – the type...

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Citroen DS3 Racing – anti retro Mini Cooper S rival!

The first ad I noticed once touching down at the Geneva airport was one for the Citroen DS3, which had the headline “anti-retro”. We all know that the DS3 is pitched as a rival to BMW’s Mini, and the ad is clearly a jibe in the direction of the bug-eyed car. I understand the DS3’s appeal for those who either don’t “get” the Mini’s retro looks or simply look at it as a fashion fad. With creative design typical of Citroen and a modern, classy...

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Production Hyundai i-flow planned for 2011; showcar previews diesel hybrid system and new eco ideas

The Hyundai i-flow is one of the significant concept cars at Geneva, not just because it looks dramatic, but because under that heavily sculpted skin is a range of latest tech that could appear in Hyundai’s next generation of cars. Powering the i-flow is the company’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain consisting of a U2 1.7-litre oil burner with two-stage turbocharging and Hyundai’s lithium ion-polymer battery. Coupled to a six-speed,...

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