Facelifted Aveo to debut at Geneva Autosalon

Our Korean friends at general Motors have come up with a refreshed Chevrolet Aveo and not a moment too soon. This three-door version will debut at the Geneva Auto Salon in March.

As you can see it is just a facelift but an extensive one. One of the continuing feature of Korean Chevy is the gills on the front fender, this time it takes residence at the base of the A-pillar.
The bowtie now sits on a wide and prominent horizontal bar that separates the Audi-like grille that starts from the top of the bonnet and ends just above the lip spoiler.
The front lights have been refreshed and now takes an upward curl at the outer edges as it traces the bonnet opening. it is not ground breaking or particularly attractive but helps to give the car a more distinctive face, like Jack Nicholson's eyebrows.

The refreshed Aveo will come with two engine options, a 1.2-litre, 84 horsepower unit or a 1.4-litre four-pot with 101 horses in the stable.


The interior also get a refresh and all I can say is that it fits the character of the car.
European sales will start in June and their cars will come from GM's Warsaw plant and they are expected to put together 100,00 units for the old continent.
No word yet on when the Malaysian market will get the new Aveo.

Mercedes Diesotto wins top Green award

Mercedes-Benz has been given the Environment Grand Prize is Paris for their Diesotto engine concept.
This variable compression engine is designed to run like a petrol engine at high loads and a diesel motor at cruising speed when power demand is low.
According to M-B the engine can achieve startling fuel efficiency and impressive torque of a diesel and driveability of a petrol motor.
Below is the Press release

Mercedes-Benz Press Release

Paris – The DIESOTTO engine developed by Mercedes-Benz, which combines the best attributes of the petrol and diesel engine, was awarded the "Environment Grand Prize" in Paris.

The sought-after environmental award was received by the Head of Mercedes design, Prof. Peter Pfeiffer, and Reinhardt Lyhs, President of Mercedes-Benz France, during the 23rd "Festival Automobile International". The award is presented for technological achievements in the fields of environmental protection and safety, as well as their integration into vehicle design.

As powerful and responsive as a V6 petrol engine and with the high torque and excellent economy of a modern diesel, accompanied by extremely clean emissions: these are the specific advantages of the two different engine types that Mercedes-Benz has combined in the pioneering four-cylinder DIESOTTO power unit.

"The DIESOTTO concept provides an important basis for the future of the internal combustion engine. It assures personal mobility into the future and demonstrates the great innovative strength of the automobile industry," was the verdict of the jury for this internationally important award.

The award itself was presented at the "Les Invalides" hotel in Paris by four-times Formula-1 champion Alain Prost and Franz-Olivier Giesbert, former editor-in-chief of the well-known magazine "Le Point".

The innovative technology package in the DIESOTTO engine includes direct fuel injection, turbocharging and a variable compression ratio. The centrepiece of this innovation is homogeneous charge compression ignition, a highly efficient combustion system similar to that of a diesel.

The result is a four-cylinder unit with a displacement of only 1.8 litres, which combines the strengths of a low-emission spark-ignition engine with the fuel economy of a diesel. Despite a significantly lower displacement – "downsizing" is a fundamental precondition for the desired reduction in fuel consumption – this compact drive unit delivers superior performance and a level of refinement worthy of the luxury class.

An output of 175 kW/238 hp, which is supplemented by a 15 kW/20 hp hybrid module, and a maximum torque of at least 400 Nm are developed with a petrol consumption of just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 127 grams per kilometre. What is more, these figures do not refer to a small or compact car, but to a fully-appointed luxury car the size of the current S-Class with a full complement of first-class safety features.

Another advantage is a very low level of nitrogen oxide emissions by virtue of homogeneous combustion at lower reactive temperatures. Exhaust aftertreatment in the DIESOTTO power unit is by a conventional closed-loop catalytic converter.

Features such as direct fuel injection are already used in current Mercedes-Benz models, for example, the Mercedes-Benz E 350 CGI and Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI. Other DIESOTTO modules will gradually enter series production during the next development stages.

The environmental award was received at the "Les Invalides" hotel in Paris on February 6 by Head of Mercedes Design Professor Peter Pfeiffer and Reinhardt Lyhs, President of Mercedes-Benz France. In thanking the jury, Professor Pfeiffer said that this environmental award once again showed the great development potential inherent to the internal combustion engine and also referred to the wide range of innovative drive concepts with which Mercedes-Benz and smart are addressing the mobility requirements of the future.

KITT is back and its UGLY

The New KITT

The Original KITT

Remember Knight Rider? Well it's making its way back to the big screen and this time they have decided to ditch the sleek Pontiac Trans Am for a butch Ford Mustang.
It does not work.


The original Kitt is a suave, sophisticated ans sleek creature with a charming voice to match now you have to get Mr T to lend his vocal chords to the new hairy-chested 500 hp creation.


Anyway here are the pictures of the new car, compare them to the original and you will see what I mean.

Spyshot: baby Ferrari under heavy camo

This cross between a Hearse and sporstcar is actually a mule of a new Ferrari.
Shot while testing at Ferrari's private test track, Fiorano, the car looks like its undergoing early shakedown.
Speculations about a 2+2 from Maranello have been rife despite strong denials from the company.
This car looks a lot shorter than the 612 Scaglietti so it is probably an entry level-front engine model with kiddie seats at the back.
In the picture above we see the car closeup, the engine bay is just about visible to the left and if you count the intake runners, this car looks like its running a V8, further confirming the baby Ferrari speculations. the flimsy roof camo suggests that this particular mule may well be a convertible or a coupe-convertible, you know, with the foldable hardtop.
I think it is a C-C_ because that is the rage now.
This is an artist impression of what the car may look like.


Via Autoroute

Proton Jumbuck is greenest Aussi Light -Ute

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Proton's Jumbuck half tonne ute has been named the greenest and most economical ute or light utility vehicle on the Australian market, recording the best greenhouse rating and the best air pollution rating in the category, according to the Australian Government's Green Vehicle Guide.

The guide, which is put together by the Federal Government's Greenhouse Office, also declared the frugal Jumbuck to be the most economical ute on the Australian market with an average overall fuel consumption of just 7.1 litres per 100km.

The Jumbuck outranked all other utes, including all diesel-powered models, in terms of greenhouse and air pollution rating as well as fuel use, recording a 3.5-star rating from the guide.

The Jumbuck scored a category-leading rating of 5 in terms of air pollution and a 7/10 greenhouse rating, one rating point ahead of the next best performer, a diesel-powered ute.

The Greenhouse Rating awards a score out of 10 for the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the vehicle produces, the higher the score the lower the CO2 emitted.

All new vehicle models up to 3.5 tonnes sold in Australia are tested by the government to determine both the fuel consumption and the level of CO2 emission.

The Air Pollution Rating is based on the level of air pollutant emission allowable under the standard to which the particular vehicle has been successfully tested for supply to the Australian market.

Proton Cars Australia managing director John Startari said the Green Vehicle Guide results underline the efficiency and eco-friendly credentials of the Jumbuck.

"The fact that Jumbuck is the most eco-friendly ute on the market will make it an attractive and logical choice for people and companies seeking to have less impact on our environment and to reduce the influence on climate change," he said.

"Jumbuck proves that larger gas-guzzling utes with only marginally bigger payloads are no longer a logical option for anyone who cares about the environment and reducing vehicle fuel usage and pollution."-- BERNAMA

Proton launches Waja CPS

PRESS RELEASE

Premium engine to improve power and torque

Shah Alam, 5 February - The PROTON Waja goes through anotherevolutionary phase with the introduction of the Waja Campro 1.6 Premium(CPS), designed to capture those who appreciate high-performancedriving.

The Engine

The Campro CPS utilizes two ingenious technologies, CPS (Cam ProfileSwitching) and VIM (Variable Intake Manifold), to give high power andrapid response, whilst maintaining fuel efficiency.

The maximum power output has increased by 13% to 125 horsepower (hp),from 110hp on the standard Campro engine.

The engine, in addition toproviding smooth and responsive drivability, is also environmentally friendly while complying with the latest European emission regulation.

The CPS-fitted Waja offers significant improvement in terms of driveability.

Its maximum torque is now rated at 150Nm and providesbetter response and torque launch at low engine speed of between 2,000 -2,500 revolutions per minute (rpm) when driving in the city.

On hillclimbing, it allows for less frequent gear change on steep slopes withless acceleration pedal input.

Those driving the new Waja CPS on trunk roads will find betterovertaking performance on the third, fourth and fifth gear within the2,500 - 4,500 rpm engine speed range.

PROTON Holdings Bhd Managing Director, Dato' Haji Syed ZainalAbidin Syed Mohamed Tahir: "PROTON is striving to improve ourselves in every aspect, particularlyin terms of product offerings. With that in mind, we felt it was timethe Waja evolved as well.

"The time is right for this change and I'moptimistic the market will receive this new model in a positive manner"said Syed Zainal.

The new Waja Campro CPS offers two options of transmission - five speedmanual (5MT) and four-speed automatic (4AT).

Cabin improvements

PROTON has also made changes to the interior design of the model to addf urther value to customers.

Spec Sheet Highlights

1. electric remote door mirror with electric folded housing,
2. front seat with three-wayadjustable head rest (up, down and tilt),
3. gated auto gear shifter (inthe automatic transmission),
4. new centre panel switches and finishing,
5. keyless trunk remote system,
6. anti-lock braking system (ABS),
7. fog lamp, alloy rim and leather seats.
8. Other additional features of the Waja Campro CPS include Xenon lightwith head lamp leveling,
9. dual tailpipes,
10. UV screen and a Euro-compliantbody structure.

"The new Waja Campro CPS not only provides better performance but has advanced features which we hope will be attractive to car owners,especially those looking for replacement models or even additional carsfor the household.

Overall, I'm happy with how this model has turned outand I'm looking forward to sharing this with our customers and hearingtheir feedback," said Syed Zainal.

Price

Manual: RM61,888

Automatic: RM64,888.

Colours

1. bronzegarnet,
2. blue agate,
3. iridescent white,
4. twilight blue,
5. metal gray
6. burgundy.

Warranty

The Waja Campro 1.6 Premium CPS also comes with an ExtendedWarranty

Program, three years after the manufacturer warranty.B

ookings for the model are now open and the car can be viewed at allPROTON Edar and EON showrooms.