The all-new Honda City unveiled

The all-new Honda City unveiled

Posted by: Andy Mervin George

Honda Malaysia today unveiled the third-generation Honda City compact sedan in Kuala Lumpur.

The all-new City comes with numerous firsts in its class, combining style, performance and practicality, but more on that as you read on.

Not just the regular City car for the ladies here

There are two variants available, these being tagged Grade E and Grade S. The Grade E comes with additional paddle shifters, rear reclining seats with an underseat tray and 16-inch sport alloy wheels.

Exterior style-wise, the City adopts what Honda calls an ‘Arrowshot Form’ design outlook from end-to-end. Strikingly, the front end resembles a transformable robot from an animated movie, whilst the tail lamps look very much like those found on the BMW 3-Series.

The i-DSI block is history, so the new City goes about its business with a single powerplant choice, this being a newly-developed four-cylinder 1.5l i-VTEC engine which pushes out 120bhp at 6,000rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,800rpm. Compliant with Euro 4 level emission standards, the City is deemed the most powerful compact sedan in the market to date.

The advanced i-VTEC engine is now mated with a five-speed automatic transmission with Shift Hold Control and is the first in its class. Gone too is the CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) gearbox, an omission brought about by the rougher style of driving encountered here, according to surveys carried out by Honda Japan’s R&D division.

Compensating for the absence of a manual transmission gearbox (a five-speed manual is available in both Thailand and Singapore) are the paddle shifters in the Grade E, which provides the driver with a sportier means of changing gears.

Functional minus the clutter, and it brings out a gutsy feeling in you

The steering wheel is now of the tilt and telescopic type, and the footrest is now wider as the accelerator and brake pedals have been shifted more to the right. The car comes with EPS (Electric Power Steering), and safety comes in the form of dual SRS airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Stopping power is reinforced with ABS (anti-lock braking system) with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), while BA (Brake Assist) amplifies the driver’s foot force with minimal pedal input.

Entertainment for the occupants inside the City is provided by an advanced audio system that is compatible with MP3 players, iPod, USB memory or a mobile hard disk drive. In the Grade E variant, you get a six-speaker system with steering wheel audio controls, while the Grade S makes do with a four-speaker arrangement.

The all-new City does not compromise in rear passenger convenience with a fold-down armrest that also houses integrated cup holders.

Another first in its class, the City’s rear trunk is able to contain a whopping 506l of cargo, which is equivalent to being able to store four nine-inch-wide golf bags.

As mentioned, the Grade E’s rear seats can be folded in a 60:40 split configuration for extended luggage carrying capacity, and is fitted with an underseat tray to stow away wet umbrellas or footwear.

There are a total of five colours to choose from – Alabaster Silver Metallic, Bold Beige Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, and new colours Crystal Black Pearl and Deep Lapis Blue Metallic. Unfortunately, a striking signature colour called Habanero Red Pearl, as well as a very pretty Tafetta White, is not available.

The Honda City is manufactured in Malaysia, with 30% of the parts sourced locally, including the seats and instrument panel, while the rest are from Japan.

Get into the City and it makes you happy

According to Atsushi Fujimoto, managing director of Honda Malaysia, the previous City was still doing quite well into the end of its run, having registered a total sales volume of 8,000 units from Jan to Nov this year. With the arrival of the new one, Honda Malaysia is targeting to sell about 1,500 units of the new City on a monthly basis, and pre-launch bookings have been brisk, with more than 1,500 orders to date - as of launch time, the waiting period is a month, though that is surely to change if more orders come about.

The City rolls in at RM84,980 for the Grade S and RM89,980 for the Grade E (both on the road, with insurance) and comes with a three-year warranty or 100,000km and six months free service or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

A Modulo accessories package is available to spruce up the City’s exterior, and this consists of front, side, rear and trunk spoilers, all for an additional RM4,750.


SOURCE: THE STAR ONLINE

Time out for timing belt

Time out for timing belt

THE timing belt is one essential car part that has to be replaced regularly and motorists are advised to strictly conform to the recommendations listed in the owners manual, according to Germany’s automobile association ADAC.

Most car makers list a certain amount of kilometres or the age of the vehicle when the timing belt needs replacing.

Normally, the timing belt has reached the end of its tether after the car has clocked between 100,000km and 120,000km.

But Maximilian Maurer, an ADAC expert, points out that even if an older car has low mileage, the timing belt could need replacing.

"A timing belt is made of rubber and rubber simply has a limited life span," Maurer points out, warning that it can even be dangerous to neglect a replacement.

"The timing belt can tear suddenly causing the engine to stop working immediately. That could lead to really tricky situations or even an accident," he says.

Not only that. If a timing belt breaks, it normally means that the engine needs a complete replacement. The belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft of a combustion engine which, in turn, regulates the opening and closing of the valves.

If the system suddenly stops working, a piston can slam into an opened valve, causing much damage.



SOURCE: http://www.thesundaily.com

VOLKSWAGEN'S

Volkswagen’s Tiguan arrives

Posted by: Andy Mervin George

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has launched the Tiguan 2.0 TSI compact SUV.

MD of VGM, Mr. Andreas Prinz is proud of the new Tiguan

After capturing the lead in the German SUV market, the Tiguan is making its debut inMalaysia with its full-spec Track & Field variant, one of the three variants available worldwide.

 

The Tiguan name comes from combining a mixture of two animal names - tiger, which reflects quickness, power and elegance, and leguan (or iguana), which indicates a capability of surviving in harsh habitats.

 

The Track & Field Tiguan comes equipped with a new four-cylinder 2.0l turbocharged direct injection petrol engine. Effectively, this is known as the 147TSI version in some markets, and the block kicks up a wholesome 200bhp at 5,000rpm and maximum torque of 280Nm on the initial 1,700rpm, so the compact SUV has a lot of muscles to flex, be it for city or off-road driving.  

Vibrant ambience, good for crusing or offroading

The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic, and drives on a 4MOTION full-time four-wheel drive system.   

 

Among the equipment spec levels on the Tiguana are off-road mode, electronic stabilisation program (ESP), ABS with Brake Assist system, six airbags, an electronic differential lock (EDL) and traction control system (TCS), as well as 17-inch Boston alloy wheels wrapped with Michelin rubbers.

 

Also offered on the Tiguan is Park Assist, which as the name suggests, helps to park the car using its onboard Park Pilot function for parallel parking spots, hands-free. The driver just needs to work on the pedals to move and stop the vehicle. This feature comes as standard fitment.

It's a crossover, apparently

To keep passengers entertained, there’s an integrated 6-disc changer with touch-screen feature and a total of eight front and rear loudspeakers. Unfortunately, there is no GPS on the Tiguan for now.

 

Fully imported from Germany, the Tiguan is available in seven metallic colours and two solid colours. To match these colours, the Tiguan’s Vienna leather upholstery comes in two colour options – Brown or Titanium Black. The vehicle is priced at RM251,121 (on-the-road, without insurance).

For more pictures of the Tiguan, check out our Gallery.

SOURCE:   http://star-motoring.com/

GEN 2

Better driving with Gen 2
by Y.S. Khong

THE Cam Profiling System, or CPS, is the latest development by Proton and the 1.6-litre Gen 2 CPS is the first of the Protons to get this improved engine.

The CPS engine produces 125PS at 6,500rpm, and 150Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, compared to the previous generation engine which only had 110PS at 6,000rpm, and 148Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

Note that the power figures for the CPS are developed at a higher-engine revolution than the previous engine – this is simply because the CPS allows the engine to breathe better, and thus make better power.

The basis of the CPS is that it allows cam timing to be varied, much like a variable valve timing system.

The older engine was tuned for power but what it gained on the straights, it lost on the roundabouts. It necessitated a ‘sporty’ cam profile to give the 110 horses, which also meant the low-end torque had to be sacrificed – the result was an engine that was ‘racy’ and happy at higher revolutions, but gutless at the mid and lower ranges.

Now with the CPS, the same engine is able to provide better low and mid end torque, while not running out of breath at the higher end.

The Gen 2 CPS also comes with some interior improvements that give it more value for money. The seat design has been changed, together with the colour scheme.

The test car we got was the H-Line, with two-tone seats that have contours on the sides to give it a more ‘bucket’ effect, and a new dashboard design that does not have the little clock in the centre of the dash, and there is a glove box now.

The rear hatch opening mechanism is better now, thanks to the addition of a stronger air/hydraulic cylinder that helps to raise the boot-lid.

Wheel design also has been changed to a fresh design. Some minor changes have also been made to the front grille and bumper.

On the road, the Gen 2 CPS drives better, with the mid-range power drop not evident any more, while the engine seems happier at higher revolutions.

The suspension remains an all-wheel independent set-up, something that is getting harder to find in cars of this price range and size, nowadays.

While I won’t write off cars with beam axles at the rear, an independent rear actually represents better value for money as it costs more to produce.

Fuel economy appears to have improved about 10%, with the on-board information system telling 

me that my overall fuel consumption was 7.2 litres per 100km, whereas with the previous engine’s consumption figure (as indicated by the same onboard system), it was anything between 8.5 to 10.5 litres per 100km.

As with the new-generation Protons, the handling of the Gen 2 is remarkably good, a happy result of the Proton-Lotus relationship. Driving the Gen 2 CPS is a more pleasurable experience now.

With the advent of time, the overall build quality has seen some progress, and the car is put together quite well.

Prices range from RM53k to RM60k, and that said, the Gen 2 CPS makes a good-value proposition.

SOURCE:  THE SUN ONLINE

Chevrolet Volt

Production version of Chevy Volt unveiled

Posted by: Anthony Lim

General Motors has unveiled the much-anticipated production version of its Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. The design of the Volt production car has evolved from the original concept that was unveiled at the 2007 North American International Auto Show.

Volt's up, you say?

Many of the design cues from the concept vehicle however endure in the production Volt, including the closed front grille, athletic stance, rear design graphics, outside rearview mirrors and more.

Inside, the Volt offers the space, comfort, convenience and safety features expected in a four-passenger sedan, with a variety of interior color, lighting and trim options. Modern controls and attractive materials, two informational displays, and a touch-sensitive infotainment center with integrated shifter will distinguish the Volt's interior from other vehicles in the market.

The Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) uses electricity to move the wheels (which feature specially developed low rolling-resistance tires sitting on 17-inch forged aluminium alloys) at all times and speeds.

Spiffy interior should win friends.

For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16kWh, lithium-ion battery; more than 220 lithium-ion cells are contained within the Volt's battery pack. The electric drive unit delivers the equivalent of 150bhp of power and 370Nm of instant torque, and a top speed of 160kph.

When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt's electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional miles, until the vehicle's battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

Volt a lot of promise, for sure.

The Volt can be plugged either into a standard household 120v outlet or use 240v for charging. The vehicle's intelligent charging technology enables the Volt's battery to be charged in less than three hours on a 240v outlet or about eight hours on a 120v outlet. Charge times are reduced if the battery has not been fully depleted.

The Volt is expected to be built at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing facility, subject to GM successfully negotiating satisfactory government incentives. Production is scheduled to begin late 2010 for models in the United States.

SOURCE: http://star-motoring.com

D.I.Y LAPTOP REPAIR

DIY Laptop Repair: More Costly in the End

Author: Anthony Williams Sr.




We all cringe when our computers start showing noticeable glitches; software programs that don't run right or a screen that starts to fade in and out. You want these issues fixed fast and for as cheap as possible. The simplest solution seems to be on the 'net: diagnose, repair and restart your laptop yourself.

For many of these problems handy solutions can be found online with step-by-step manuals written in plain English and with photographic guides that can be easily followed. However, for hardware problems and especially for Dell laptops in particular, these tutorials can get you into a whole mess of trouble if you are not experienced with laptop repair.

It is very easy to destroy your Dell laptop computer while attempting a little DIY.

Software

If the source of your Dell laptop issues appears to be entirely software based then you can realistically diagnose and fix the issue with help from forums and Internet guides.

If the worst happens you can always restore your computer to factory settings and start from scratch (this is why you should always backup your data religiously!).

Dell laptops come with a great little step-by-step procedure for restoring the operating system or the entire computer in case of major problems. Of course if your computer has been infected with a particularly nasty virus then you still may need the help of a professional to revive it.

Hardware

If all you want to do with your laptop is upgrade your memory then this too can be accomplished through a little DIY. However, there are specific steps involved and you must be able to complete these steps exactly as written to ensure your computer will still fire up afterwards.

One of the major issues when replacing memory or any computer part is static electricity. One little zap and the components are destroyed. That is why professionals use devices to remove static from their work area so this kind of accident isn't possible. For the home user you will have to make sure you keep the new memory board in its packaging until the very last moment. You will also have to ground yourself so that you can't transfer a shock to the inside of your computer. Handling these parts also takes precision work to ensure they don't become damaged on install.

For All Other Issues and Repairs

While many people on the Internet make laptop home repair appear easy, the reality is that it isn't. One of the main issues regarding laptop repair is that you have crack open the casing on your laptop to get to any faulty parts.

Just opening the case is a difficult thing. For Dell laptops you have pry out the rubber pads underneath in order to expose the screws that hold your computer together. This sounds easy but the fact that most people give up home repair in this stage should give you an indication of the difficulty. Also some manufacturers apply glue to these screws to keep them from loosening.

If you manage to remove the screws then you are faced with unsnapping the plastic bezel from the body without breaking it. Once inside you need to be able to diagnose the issue and replace any defective parts, all without accidentally damaging or frying any of the fragile components.

Most people try DIY laptop repair to save money. However, if done improperly you could be looking at not just a repair bill but also a whole new computer. In the long run it works out cheaper to let the experts handle your Dell laptop repair.


SOURCE: http://www.articlesbase.com

HYUNDAI EPSILON

When small is beautiful
by Angela Sargunan

HYUNDAI Motor Company launched its all-new i10 five-door hatchback recently. This feature-packed runabout answers the needs of motorists in combining safety and functionality with emphasis on minimal operating costs.

It runs on the enhanced Epsilon 1.1-litre engine which gives more power through improved air intake and exhaust system, delivering excellent handling with a maximum torque of 99.1Nm/2,800rpm.

The vehicle also passes today’s stringent safety regulation with a reinforced body structure incorporating high-tensil steel against frontal crash and side impact.

It has a high mounted stop lamp integrated into the rear roof spoiler for enhanced visibility, ABS, dual air bags and a battery saver.

The i10 comes with front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes, actuated by a master servo unit which ensures safe and immediate stops.

Front suspension is MacPherson strut with coil spring while back is coupled torsion beam axle with coil spring.

Wide tracts and a long wheelbase further contribute to the high speed and cornering stability of the i10, which runs on 14in alloy wheels.

A functional and attractive dashboard with logically-located controls makes driving a real pleasure. Even the transmission shift lever is located next to the dashboard for unbeatable convenience.

There’s a choice of manual or automatic transmission. The five-speed manual is ergonomically placed and precise to operate while the smooth and thrifty advanced four-speed automatic transmission adds big-car city convenience to the i10.

Both are located in the lower centre fascia and have a short stroke gearshift lever for easier and cosier driving.

Its unprecedented spacious interior can match that of cars in the larger engine capacity class. Figure-hugging seats offer a comfortable experience for the whole family while foldable rear seats enable the extension of luggage space in a jiffy.

“We are excited about our latest model and addition to our wide range of quality vehicles,” said Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors chief operating officer Dennis Ho at the launch.

“The i10 raises the benchmark for minis the world over in general and Malaysia in particular.”

The i10 is priced at RM48,999.80 (on the road) for the four-speed automatic and is available for bookings now.

SOURCE: http://www.sun2surf.com