StarSpecial

THE STAR Sunday 12 April 2015

MotoringA new order

Revolutionising the automobile industry.

Spiced up to deliver more power > 2 Quality, reliable commercial vehicles > 5

2 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015

Spiced up to deliver more powerVOLVO launched the XC60 back in 2008 and even though seven years have passed since its momentous introduction in Geneva, the Swedish carmaker still has new tricks up its sleeve for its popular crossover.

New to the Malaysian market is the XC60 T6, a variant with more power and torque than the XC60 T5 for those willing to stretch their budgets by another RM27,000.

Powering the XC60 T6 is the two-litre turbocharged Drive-E engine, which made its local debut as the facelifted version of the XC60 T5.

However, it has been tuned to develop 306hp and 400Nm in the T6 61hp and 50Nm more than the T5.

Mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox, the refreshed powertrain gets the XC60 to 100kph from a standstill in just under seven seconds. Its top speed is an impressive 211kph.

Despite the increased performance, Volvo has decided to maintain the T5s front-wheel-drive architecture for the T6.

This makes the big Swede prone to the occasional torque steer and limits its off-roading capabilities to an extent.

However, the front-biased setup is lighter and consequently better for fuel efficiency.

Volvo quotes economy figures of 7.3l/100km and 169g/km CO2 for the XC60 T6.

In town and on the highway, where the lack of all-wheel-drive is not an issue, the XC60 T6 impresses with good responsiveness and composure for a car of its size and weight. It is

Scandinavian luxury with mass appeal

surprisingly nimble too. Its all-round visibility and

manoeuvrability is commendable, thanks to a high-driving position and safety-focused driving aids such as Volvos blind spot information system (BLIS) and enhanced pedestrian and cyclist detection system.

In terms of ride and handling, the XC60 comes off as a more comfort-oriented SUV than one that shouts performance.

The suspension cushions bumps and potholes efficiently while the steering stays on the light side even with sport mode engaged in the transmission for

FOR a compact car that boasts class-leading driving dynamics with an interior that features equipment on par with cars above its class, the Volvo V40 is quite a looker.

The classic V-shaped bonnet with sculpted corners that direct airflow for better aerodynamics and the blade design of the headlights create a unique character, which is particularly obvious in the dark.

Besides using LED technology in its optical light guides, the V40 also uses LED for the front position lights, turn indicators on the wing mirrors, rear position lights, rear number plate, high-positioned brake light and daytime running lights.

Jump inside and the ergonomics that keep Volvo fans coming back for more is apparent.

Performance kit that adds 20hp and 45Nm to the T4 engine if you want added performance without affecting fuel consumption. As for safety, as long as a car carries a Volvo badge, you can be assured of the safety that badge represents.

The V40 comes with a patented safety cage, park assist pilot, enhanced blind spot information system, a cross-traffic alert, active bending lights, whiplash protection system and a city safety system (where the car automatically brakes at speeds up to 50kph, useful in city traffic).

With a combination of attractive design, performance and safety features, the Volvo V40 is a winner.

ease of driving. Single drivers may find the

drive lacking in sportiness but families travelling on highways, where the T6 and its meatier engine are really in their element, are unlikely to complain.

The leather-upholstered cabin is a nice place to be in, with the futuristic adaptive digital display now made standard for the T6.

There is plenty of space in the back thanks in part to Volvos clever decision to position rear air-conditioning blowers within the B-pillars.

To top it off, the seats in the back are height-adjustable to cater

to children who have outgrown a child seat.

The boot is also spacious and can be accessed via a convenient electric tailgate.

At RM315,888, the Volvo XC60 T6 enters a price bracket occupied by equally good continental SUVs, many of which are blessed with an all-wheel-drive, a feature that renders the T6s impressive output less significant.

However, the Swedish recipe for practicality, comfort and safety puts the T6 at the top of the pecking order for families looking for a large European ride that they can trust.

The Volvo XC60 T6.

The XC60 T6 is a facelifted version

of the XC60 T5.

The engine gives families a comfortable ride on the highway.

The XC60 T6 has a spacious interior that promises a comfortable ride.

The interior design of the car creates a spacious feel once you are seated inside the car. Inside, the ultra-slim centre stack is more sculpted than in previous Volvo models.

LEDs play a big role in the interior, offering you the option of creating seven moods with a touch of your finger.

With two engine options to choose from five-cylinder 2.0L turbocharged T5 engine with 213hp and 300Nm and the 1.6L GTDi T4 engine with 180hp and 270Nm the V40 proves to be a champion even for those who are critical about on-the-road performances.

There is also the Polestar

The spacious boot is accessible via an electric tailgate.

This Swedish model is designed for comfort and safety.

The Volvo V40 comes with a combination of attractive design, performance and safety features.

Sunday 12 April 2015 StarSpecial 3

4 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015

Class-leading features, refined designLOCAL distributor of Peugeot cars Nasim Sdn Bhd added a European Car of the Year award winner to its ranks upon launching the second-generation Peugeot 308 in Malaysia recently.

The new 308 packs a similar 1.6-litre THP engine as its predecessor but comes into the continental C-segment with better looks, features and refinement.

Peugeots returning twin-scroll high-pressure turbocharged engine produces 152PS and 240Nm of torque.

This healthy output is channelled to the front wheels through an AT6 six-speed automatic transmission with Quickshift technology built by Aisin.

This combination propels the new 308 from 0-100kph in 9.4 seconds to an electronically limited top speed of 211kph.

The 308s impressive performance is due to its lighter frame. By using the new EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) architecture, Peugeot managed to make the second-generation 308 140kg the weight of two adults lighter than the model it replaces.

The weight loss also contributes to the cars fuel efficiency, which is rated at a respectable 6.5L/100km.

Energy efficiency is evident even in the 308s headlights. Full LED technology helps reduce energy consumption by up to 50% compared to halogen headlamps.

The light clusters are beautifully chiselled and work well with the 18-inch Sapphire light-alloy wheels to give the 308 a bold and futuristic appearance.

The interior of 308 continues to impress visually. The award-winning i-Cockpit is designed with the driver in mind and is made up of four key components a compact leather steering wheel, a head-up instrument panel, a high centre-console and a 9.7-inch HD multifunction touchscreen that frees the dashboard from the clutter of buttons.

Other notable features in the cabin include Alcantara sports seats, an Arkamys 3D sound-staging audio system and a wide sunroof.

Besides having a more luxurious look and feel, the interior of the new 308 is more spacious.

A longer wheelbase gives occupants in the back more legroom while the boot can accommodate 500 litres of cargo (1,309 litres with the rear seats

folded down). The 308 is as good to drive as

it is to look at. The new chassis exhibits great balance and

composure while the steering is quick to respond to driver inputs, giving drivers a go-kart sensation at times. The turbocharged

powertrain makes overtaking and high-speed cruises a breeze. NVH levels are also kept to negligible levels at high speeds.

Things you need to know about the new 308l There is no 309Peugeot wanted a continuation of the previous 308, which did well around the world. Therefore, a new version of the 308 was introduced instead of a 309.

l It is bigger yet lighterPeugeot uses a new platform for the new 308, which allows for a longer wheelbase, a bigger boot and a wider interior while being 140kg lighter.

l Reliable Japanesebuilt-inThe 308 now uses the latest automatic gearbox from Aisin, a renowned Japanese transmission company. The six-speed gearbox offers quicker shifts, more effective drag reduction and durability.

l Runs on a retuned powerplantThe proven 1.6L THP engine has

been refined and tuned to give the same excitement but this time, the 6.5L/100km equates to 800km of driving with a single tank.

l There are 31 LEDsin each headlightThe 308 has no conventional bulbs. Everything is LED lighted, which means it consumes half the power it would typically require. This contributes

to reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

l Peugeot introducesthe i-CockpitThe i-Cockpit consists of four components sporty leather-trimmed compact steering wheel, high-positioned head-up instrument panel, high centre console and a 9.7-inch HD multifunction touchscreen.This design won the Most

Beautiful Interior at the 29th Annual Festival Automobile International.

l Award-winning carLast year, the Peugot 308 won the European Car Of The Year award.

That gives you a good reason to visit the nearest Peugeot showroom and see how the new 308 has set a new benchmark in its category.

The second-generation Peugeot 308.

The rear of the Peugeot 308.

The new Peugeot 308 features Alcantara sports seats.

The Peugeot i-Cockpit is designed to give drivers a safe and rewarding driving experience.

A stiff suspension setup and the lack of paddle shifters are probably the only drawbacks in terms of the driving experience.

Despite having room for improvement, the second-generation Peugeot 308 still impresses with European driveability in a package that shouts value-for-money after considering its host of class-leading features.

At RM132,888, Peugeot is reasonable with the price of this new 308, considering the cars premium features and its super model looks.

This French model will win over many hearts and satisfy Peugeot fans.

The new 308 packs a similar 1.6L THP engine as its prodecessor.

StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015 MOTORING 5

Quality, reliable commercial vehiclesDONGFENG Commercial Vehicle (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd has been in operation in Malaysia since 2010 and has forged partnerships with many companies that require durable lorries for day-to-day operations.

One such company is SKA Transport (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd. SKA and Dongfeng have been in partnership from 2012, when SKA bought its first prime mover from the Chinese commercial vehicle giant.

Started in 1996 by Ng Guang Ming and his wife Ellen Lim, SKA provides a multitude of services such as cross-border land shipment, lorry charters, long haul deliveries as well as local deliveries.

Such services require machines of exceptional reliability to get the job done because of the high stress that the engines and transmissions are usually subjected to.

Constant use of almost 20 hours a day in some extreme cases call for only the best-quality materials to be used in the production of parts, especially main moving parts such as the engine, gearbox and axles.

SKA initially bought two units of the Kinland 375 prime mover

and soon expanded its fleet to more than 20 units.

According to Ng and Lim, who are directors of SKA, some of the main reasons for their continuous support of the Dongfeng brand are quality, competitive pricing and reliability.

The reliability aspect has been put to the test by SKA as its first Dongfeng Kinland 375 has already clocked more than 600,000km and is still running smoothly.

Dongfengs aim is to manage the transportation needs of its partners with high-quality products.

According to Dongfeng general manager Eric Kho, more than RM7.6mil worth of spare parts are kept in stock so that Dongfengs partners never have to wait for parts to arrive.

One of the services provided by Dongfeng that adds value to its products is the driver-training programme.

This is necessary to ensure that lorries are always handled the way they were meant to be and, in an unfortunate scenario where something goes wrong mechanically with the lorry, the person driving it is well versed in what to do.

Also, drivers are taught

defensive driving, road etiquette and maintenance.

Drivers are taught to perform the highly recommended pre-journey checks, much like an aircraft pilot would do with his aircraft.

These checks include the braking system, the powertrain and lights.

Generally, Dongfeng lorries cost much less to repair and maintain than their European counterparts. This is largely because of the way Dongfeng lorries are built.

The lorries are ultimately made with the customer in mind; therefore they are simple to operate, easy to repair and most importantly a breeze to drive.

With happy customers such as SKA, Dongfeng will continue to provide excellent services and constantly strive to forge strong ties.

Dongfeng is also the commercial vehicle maker to watch out for, as it has won the NST Truck of the Year award four years in a row.

This is the reason Dongfeng Commercial Vehicles are the most sought after Chinese commercial vehicles today.

SKA Transport (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, founded by Ng Guang Ming (right) and Ellen Lim in 1996, provides land transportation services.

6 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015

Kia enthusiasts can get up close and personal with the brands products at any Kia on Tour roadshow.

Roadshows comingto various locations

NAZA Kia Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the official distributor of Kia vehicles in Malaysia, announced that customers who book or test drive any Kia models of their choice at Test Drive Kia on Tour 2015 will stand a chance to win the ultimate grand prize a Kia Cerato 2.0.

Datuk Syed Abdul Hafiz Syed Abu Bakar, chief operating officer of Naza Kia Malaysia, says, This year, with Kia On Tour, we are bringing the Kia driving experience to all Malaysians.

At these roadshows, Kia enthusiasts across the country can get up close and personal with our products such as the Kia Cerato, Picanto, Rio, Optima K5, Sorento and Sportage.

There will be sales promotions during the test drive tour roadshow for customers who make a booking or test drive a Kia vehicle.

The long-anticipated annual Test Drive Kia on Tour series of roadshows beginning in Kuantan, Pahang, will be followed by appearances in otherwell-known shopping malls around Malaysia.

Kia On Tour will be coming to Johor Baru City Square, Johor

Customers who book or test drive any Kia models at Test Drive Kia on Tour 2015 stand a chance to win a Kia Cerato 2.0.

Baru (April 24 to 26), Aeon Ipoh Station 18 Shopping Centre (April 28 to May 3), 1 Utama Shopping Centre Bandar Utama (May 13 to 17), The Spring Mall, Kuching (May 22 to 24) and Aeon Tebrau City Shopping Centre (May 26 to 31), with more to come.

Naza Kia Malaysia is the official distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in Malaysia.

n For more information on Naza Kia Malaysia, visit www.Kia.com

StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015 MOTORING 7

McLaren 570S Coupe.

Honda Civic concept.

Porsche Boxster Spyder.

Chevrolet Malibu.

Lincoln Continental concept.

New York showcases latest beautiesTHE New York Auto Show generally showcases debuts from the American brands, but this year, the show, which was held from April 3 to 12, received a good kick-start as it featured model updates that would have excited not only the Americans but the rest of the world too.

Below are some of the models that are worth highlighting:

l Porsche Boxster SpyderAt the mention of convertible,

almost everybody would know it is for the American market.

Porsche had its world premier of the new Boxster Spyder, which could be seen to retain much of the Spyder before it (fabric roof is still manually operated and there is only a manual transmission available).

The new Spyder has 20mm lower ride height and pinches the brakes from its bigger brother, the 911 Carrera. A 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine kicks out 375hp and the century sprint is done in 4.5 seconds and will stop only when it reaches 290kph.

l McLaren 570S CoupeThe first in McLarens Sports

Series family, the 570S Coupe introduced the brands race-derived technologies and design values to people on the street.

The car produces 570PS or 562hp and accelerates from 0 to 100kph in 3.2 seconds. The car achieves 200kph in just 5.9 seconds while its top speed is 328kph. Those figures are certainly enough to give you bragging rights.

The M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbocharger engine has more than 30% of its components made specifically for this version alone.

A seven-speed SSG transmission handles the power to the rear wheels and anchors come in the form of carbon-ceramic discs.

l Lincoln Continental concept

While this brand would probably not make it here,

its design will still impress Malaysians and is a concept that is powerful enough to evoke emotion. The Continental concept is a full-size luxury sedan and shows the new face for the brand (Lincoln is a luxury brand under Ford).

Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 EcoBoost engine, it showcases Fords latest technologies in various departments, especially safety.

There is a possibility that these new features will be introduced to Ford cars, and Ford, unlike Lincoln, is available in Malaysia.

l Honda Civic conceptHonda realised that its

current Civic did not really hit the spot sales-wise and has quickly prepared teasers for the tenth-generation Civic. The Civic concept is both eye-catching and ultra sporty.

Honda has announced that the new Civic will use the VTEC Turbo engine from its Earth Dreams Technology powertrain

family.

version of the Malibu with a hybrid model.

Standard engine on the Malibu is a 1.5-litre

turbocharged engine with an estimated 160hp on tap. It also carries a new two-litre turbocharged engine with 250hp for

those who require a bit more

go power.Standard offerings include 10

airbags, forward collision alert and rear cross traffic alert.

The hybrid variant runs on a new direct-injection 1.8-litre engine that is connected to two-motor drive unit (taken from the new Chevrolet Volt) and the combined power is in the range of 182hp.

Gone is the cab-forward design introduced in the eighth-generation Civic that was not well received in the ninth generation.

The new model has a longer hood, shorter front overhang and short rear deck, giving it a sportier look.

l Chevrolet MalibuChevrolet launched its latest

8 MOTORING StarSpecial, Sunday 12 April 2015

Award-winning innovative designCITROEN C4 Cactus won the 2015 World Car Design of the Year award earlier this month at the New York International Motor Show.

Having succeeded in winning the most votes from the jury, the car was picked as the winner of the World Car of the Year competition for standing out over the course of the year, thanks to its design that embodies a bold and innovative style.

The international award recognises the creativity and the courage of Citroen C4 Cactus designs.

Each year, the World Car of the Year jury awards this prize to a new car with the most innovative design that challenges the conventional codes.

The C4 Cactus is a cool, optimistic and original car with a unique personality that offers a genuine alternative to conventional saloons.

The C4 Cactus is designed to

reconcile practicality and a sleek look. Its pure, smooth expanses are animated by graphical features that all serve a purpose, such as the Airbump or the light signature.

Citroen C4 Cactus has joined a list of illustrious prize-winners, which in recent years has included the BMW i3, the Jaguar F-Type, the Range Rover Evoque and the Aston Martin Rapide.

This is not Citroens first success in the 11-year-old World Car of the Year competition. In 2006, the C4 Coup won the Design prize, and the brand has already figured among the finalists on four other occasions.

These repeated successes underscore Citroens reputation for styling.

With its immediately recognisable body shapes that have forged the history of the automobile brand, Citroens unique style appeals to everyones imagination even in countries where the brand is not marketed.

The interior of the C4 Cactus. The design of C4 Cactus is both attractive and functional. The C4 Cactus reflects an innovative style.

Citroen C4 Cactus won the 2015 World Car Design of the Year award for its design that challenged conventional codes.

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