MERDEKAx7!!!

Taking time off cars today...because there are some things that are more important then cars...and that is National Unity....wishing all malaysian out there selamat hari MERDEKA ke-53.!!Ke arah 1 Malaysia dan Wawasan 2020!!!Malaysia Boleh!

European Copy cats!!

well well well,looks like Europeans are running out of ideas and ways to stay ahead of their Asian counterparts in the Automotive industry,(in terms of car design).So the best solution is ?to COPY?!yes,China has been under attack for copying car design,but European car makers prove that they are no better too as they are doing the same,silently.This truly isnt a healthy practice for the car industry,people want variety!!feast you eyes on the unimaginative side of the European automotive industry. 

THE ORIGINAL:Honda Accord(Asian market)

THE RIP-OFF:Peugeot 508

THE ORIGINAL:Suzuki Swift

THE RIP-OFF:Skoda Fabia

Retiring 407 Driven!

The 407....hmm...where do i begin...well...lets star with the looks....its pretty hard to describe how the 407 looks....from some angles it looks greats..(the rear)..and from some angles....uurggh!!(thats ugly)...so how was the drive then...well...not bad actually....it was smooth...comfortable....i loved the interior layout..(but unfortunately not the poor finishing and quality..)it struggled to accelerate..but that is about it...a boring car with no soul..



the 407 gets a,

* * ^
(2 and a half out of 5)

Nissan's Grandfather clock Cefiro Driven!

The Cefiro...boring...thats the best word to sum it up exteriorly..and interiorly as well....it looks awe full both inside and out!I wonder till this day,how could this car ever be classified as a luxury car...it looks hideous!!urrgggh!!!but...i decided to give it a go,i mean..i had nothing to lose...as i took it out for a spin...i started to realize something...the quality!i never expected a car,this awe full looking to drive as smooth as it drove...it was a truly comfortable ride...it had loads of power..(which i tested,of cause)..and handled well..sound proofing was wayy above average too!well...it drives like a charm...but too bad it doesnt look like one..

The Cefiro gets a,

* * ^

(2 and a half out of 5)

Proton gears EMAS concept for production!

Original Proton EMAS concept

Original rear concept

Malaysian car manufacturer Proton is said to be working on a global car based on the Proton EMAS Hybrid concept which was unveiled in the recent Geneva auto show.According to Malaysian car guru Paul Tan,there will be two totally different models to be unveiled based on the EMAS.One from Proton them self and the other from Lotus(which Proton owns).Both models are expected to hit showrooms by 2012.As a Malaysian,i truly hope Proton becomes a global player and someday be as popular as Toyota or Honda,based on this model,looks like they are not far behind anymore.Malaysia Boleh!
(Production design photo credits to Paul Tan)

Original EMAS interior concept

Proton EMAS production version
The Proton version is a Practical 4-door city car with sleek styling.

Lotus EMAS production version
    The Lotus version spots a more sportier look.Note that it is a 2-door city car.

Bye Bye Civic...(2006-2011)

R.I.P

Honda is saying good bye to the civic in the year 2011 and will be replacing it with a all-new Civic.while scoop on new honda's are more harder to come by than a rat eating a cat,there have been few renderings of the new civic (purely based on honda's recent design language of cause)..that have surfaced on the net..

sketch of the 2011 Civic.

well the design doesnt depart that much from the current generation,i think mainly due to its popularity,but than    again,maybe Honda wanted to be safe.

a rendering of the 2011 Civic.

i can only give my final verdict when i see the car 1st hand..but for now...i am a little disappointed.

Swedish Delight...Volvo s40 Driven!

I have always liked the exterior of the s40...and the interior as well...(that floating panel thing really works)..well...this is a truly wonderful car to drive...the engine was responsive...it had loads of power...and you have gotta love that powershift tronic technology...and the safety features of this car really blew me away..sound proofing was good.....built quality was good..an above average car

the Swede gets a

* * *  ^
(3.5 out of 5)

'fludic sculpture' Sonata Driven!

well...it came pretty soon...i was expecting this review too only happen afew years from now...but...i got lucky...so here it goes...The new Sonata....LOOKS...well...i dont think i need to repeat about it...i was awestruck by its aggressive styling...it looked really awesome(especially in white!)and as for the interior....it was equally amazing....but..sadly...the built quality..is below par for a car of this price range...the leather felt cheap and the exterior 'chrome' bits felt like they were put together using super glue...as for the handling...it was good...it was certainly on par with the camry and accord..but not in terms of comfort tough...(camry still the most comfortable...followed by the sonata)..sound proofing was good....the engine was extremely sluggish..and not as 'connected' to the drive as the one from toyota...( i drove the top of the line 2.4 model sonata)..above average...overall...i am truly amazed at the level the koreans have brought their car to...kudos to them...the new sonata truly is a winner...if you dont mind the minor faults here and there....

The Sonata gets a

* * *                                
(3 out of 5)

Korean car Transformation!!!(Part 2 of 2)

Now its Kia's turn...well..things took a huge turn for the best when they got Peter Schreyer onto their bandwagon...they have a new design language...which they have yet to name...but i call it...AWESOME!...The new line of Kia looks more like it was from Munich rather than seoul....built qualit has improved....and...i really like the new grill design that Kia has gone for...a.simple and yet...beautiful design....it is also good to see that both hyundai and kia are not rebadging each others cars with minor changes(like the previous generation)!so...Move aside...The Koreans have arrived!

                                                                          Optima

                                                                             no3

Korean car Transformation!!!(Part 1 of 2)

                                            

I am not really a fan of korean cars to be honest....had the kia spectra for few year...yes..it worked...it looked kinda nice...but thats about it..and then.....something started to happen in Seoul....Kia and its Parent company Hyundai started to churn out cars that looked so damn good...on the inside...and outside...that its tempting me to head towards the koreans again....Lets start with Hyundai...My Oh My the new Hyundai line up is stunningly beautiful.....i am still no able to digest the fact that the koreans are on par...and in some cases better than the japanese!Hyundai adapted the 'Fludic Sculpture' theme to all the new models....and they are truly Awe inspiring!All the best Hyundai...You are really going places!kudos to you!

                                                                        

Avante

Accent

                                                                    



                                                                   Sonata

Why China Why....??

(Not a Car Review)

Ahhhhh Yes...the infamous copy cat car stories...are they a myth...well....you are about to find out....CHINA....they are a global power house now....but that has not stopped the chinese from "borrowing" design cues from other car makers...what...you dont believe me ey...?well...lets play 'spot the difference'...viewer discretion is strictly adviced!

 The japanese are the targets here....:S....

They have got the Germans too!!run for cover!!

now which is the real deal here...?

the koreans not spared to....
The reason i just had to do this is because i know....(even though i have not set foot in china before) that there is a Huge pool of talent there just waiting for a chance to shine...by copying others....china isnt learning anything at all...so please China...stop the copying work and make some cars of your own...i for one have faith in you...( i think...)

The Bluebird Sylphy!

Nissan Sylphy....in terms of looks...i'd have to say average...not the best looking car around.....but..what it lacks in its looks...it delivers in its handling and driving comfort(although not as comfortable as the toyota camry and honda accord but u get the picture)i personally like the 'sports' button on the gear lever...it gives you that extra 'UMMPH'!

The SYLPHY gets a

***^

(3 and a half out of 5)

ZooM ZooM Mazda 3!

Well....where do i begin.....the looks?10 out of 10 for that!!(hands down)!unlike the honda civic,this car is priced well...handles like a charm and has sound proofing comparable with cars that are in a much much more higher price bracket than itThe automated manual was an amazing experience...overall....this car has just made it to the top 3 of my all time best driven cars!placed at number 1!

the MAZDA 3 gets the first

*****

(5 out of 5)