BMW Concept X1

 

BMW made public long-held plans to extend its line-up of dedicated four-wheel-drivemodels at the Paris motor show with the unveiling of its new entry-level SUV, the X1.

The X1 sets out to provide buyers with a high-riding alternative to more affordable versions of the 3-series Touring.

The front end of the car immediately reminds you of the F01 BMW 7-Series recently revealed, thanks to its 7-Series-like headlamps and kidney grilles. The side profile has hints of the current facelifted BMW X3 while the engine hood is inspired by the design on the facelifted 3-Series.

Despite the X1 name which indicates a crossover version of the X1, the vehicle is actually built on the platform of the E90 3-Series. Its actually quite large - larger than most people expected it to be. At 4456mm long with a 2760mm wheelbase, these figures are close to the current X3 facelifts statistics with a 4565mm length and a 2795mm wheelbase. This means the next generation X3 will grow larger (as expected) and will probably have a mid-2800mm-ish wheelbase, as the 2nd gen X5 has a wheelbase of 2933mm.

Since it shares the same platform as the E90, you can expect a similiar engine range with a twin turbo 3.0 liter petrol X1 xDrive35i and a twin turbo 3.0 liter turbodiesel X1 xDrive35d as the top of the range models.

Technorati Tags: bmw x1 concept,BWW,MW 7-Series

Malaysia Best Selling Cars on August 2010

 

Top 10 National Vehicles
Top 10 non-National Vehicles

* Statistics taken from Malaysian Automotive Association

Would these numbers tell you which car to buy? We could see that Perodua dominated the market share! Impressive!

Mercedes F700

Volkswagen Scirocco TSI DSG tested

By:
Pierre Steyn



The last time I had so many people pointing their cellphones at my car in an effort to snap a fuzzy image of it, was in 2007 when I drove the then still-under-wraps Audi R8 from Cape Town to Upington so Topcar could (unofficially) break the South African land speed record.

Okay, the R8 wasn’t my car. And neither is the bright red Volkswagen Scirocco parked in front of my local Spar, the one with the small group of car nuts peering through the windows and aiming their mobile phones at it.
As I walk towards the car, I press the unlock button on the remote and their heads snap up like a family of meerkats that have just spotted Eddie the Eagle cruising overhead.

One guy admits he doesn’t like the Interlagos 18-inch alloys our test car is running on. But that’s it. The rest of this little impromptu focus group would trade a sister to own one.



This is quite remarkable. Let’s think of the mainstream German car manufacturers as the Bible Belt of the motoring world, which would make Volkswagen, the most conservative and traditional of them all, the buckle.

With the Scirocco, VW has undone the buckle and they’re twirling the belt above their heads while doing a pole dance.

Geneva Preview: Proton hybrid concept uses Lotus series hybrid system

As we suspected recently when we heard that Proton would be showing a hybrid concept car next week at the Geneva Motor Show, the propulsion system has been developed by Lotus. Malaysian automaker Proton owns the British engineering consultancy and sports car builder.

While we might have expected Proton to opt for a simpler mild hybrid system, they have instead gone with a Volt-like series hybrid layout. Lotus hasn't revealed any detailed specifications for the extended-range electric vehicle except that it uses a 1.2-liter three cylinder engine. This is likely the same engine developed by Lotus for the experimental series hybrid Jaguar XJ that is currently being tested. The battery pack is mounted under the floor with the electric traction motor at the rear axle and the engine-generator at the front. More details will be forthcoming at the show.

[Source: Lotus]


PRESS RELEASE

Lotus hybrid power for the PROTON Concept

The PROTON Concept car, to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, showcases an advanced series hybrid drivetrain, designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus Cars Limited today announces its latest series hybrid vehicle technology application in the PROTON Concept, which will be unveiled at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show. The complete hybrid drivetrain in the PROTON Concept city car has been developed by Lotus Engineering and it includes the Lotus Range Extender engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles.

The PROTON Concept, a plug-in series hybrid city car, has been styled by Italdesign and will be unveiled on the Italdesign stand at the Geneva Motor Show. Lotus Engineering has designed and integrated the complete drivetrain, including the electrical drive system with single-speed transmission, which delivers low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable electric-only operating range for city use. For longer journeys, when the battery charge level falls, the 3 cylinder, 1.2 litre Lotus Range Extender engine is used to replenish the charge in the battery and provide electrical power for the drive motors. The battery can also be recharged via an AC mains domestic outlet to achieve initial electric-only operation.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: "The hybrid drivetrain of the PROTON Concept is another example of Lotus Engineering's expertise in electrical and electronic systems and efficient performance engines. The high efficiency Lotus Range Extender engine, which we unveiled to great acclaim at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show last year is perfectly suited for the advanced series hybrid we have created for the PROTON Concept city car. It is an exciting example of the diverse range of highly efficient total propulsion systems that Lotus Engineering continues to develop for its partners and clients."

PROTON Holdings Berhad Group Managing Director, Dato' Haji Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir said, "Our collaboration with Lotus and Italdesign on progressive technology and design will further propel our competitiveness in the world market. Through this association, we strive to acquire and jointly develop new knowledge, skills and technologies that will ultimately benefit our customers."

2009 Alfa Romeo Spider

The 2009 Alfa Romeo Spider is another good and high performing automobile brought into the commercial market by the well renowned car authority Alfa Romeo. It features a very innovative and top of the line V6 engine with a 3.6 liter capability. It also has a natural aspiration couple with a 260 hp or horsepower of capability together with an 81.3 hp per liter feature. Since the Spider is one of the best sellers of the Alfa Romeo brand, it has been in line with the Alfa Romeo tradition that it be innovated and further developed into newer models.




This 2009 Alfa Romeo Spider also contains the aspirations of Italian elegance as well as the luxury and comfort that only the Alfa Romeo brand can offer amongst the numerous automobile providers available in the commercial market. With a simple yet elegant interior and a luscious exterior together with the dazzling designs and the comfortable convertible roof, there is truly no other sports car that can match the Spider that the car authority Alfa Romeo has brought into the market as of the year 2009. With the comfortable seats, the error proof seat belts and airbags coupled with the best in power steering and power braking, this Spider truly is one of the best sports cars available for every car fanatic and patron.

New Toyota Wish 2010

Toyota have launched the new Wish in the Japan market not too long ago, with a new front look. It comes either 1.8 or 2.0 variant. I guess the protruding concept is also being brought over to the Wish as well, as you can see the front headlights is like coming out of the body :p


The new Wish is fitted with the new generation engine with “Valvematic” technology, i guess they renamed VVTL-i to this name, since the technology is variable valve and lift.



The interior looks great, with the triangular window at the side so that you have more view of the road.

This baby also comes with Super CVT-i transmission which gives better fuel economy. Also mentioned is that the 1.8L gives 16Km/L while the 2.0L gives 15.2Km/L. I would say these are pretty impressive figures for the MPV class.



Also available is an Eco Drive mode, i guess in this mode the ECU optimizes the alignment of the driving force with the accelerator operation to offer better fuel economy.

The 1.8L makes about 142 HP with 176 Nm of torque while the 2.0L makes out 156HP with 196Nm of torque.



Have not much idea when will this be available in Malaysia, so which would you choose, the new Wish or the Honda Stream RSZ ? :p