The icing-on the-cake must be the 329hp and 400Nm supercharged engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. To keep this power civilised and tamed on the tarmac, the souped-up Aurion also wears sports suspension, high perforamance brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels & sport tyres, TRD grille, front and rear bumpers, side skirt and rear spoilers.
Mitsubishi Concept-cX has already taken shape ahead of the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2007 based on these released images from Mitsubishi Motor Corp. (MMC). Built on the 9th generation Lancer / new Outlander platform, the Concept-cX is equipped with a new 1.8L Clean Diesel engine with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) that churns out 136ps at 4000rpm and 280Nm of torque at 2000rpm.
Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission is called into service for the Concept-cX. It looks like the robotised twin-clutch gearbox will find duty in many other Mitsu vehicles other than the upcoming Lancer EVO X. Meanwhile, its electronically controlled AWD system is nicked from the new Outlander.
From these images, it appears as if the Concept-cX is near-ready for mass production, especially from cues taken from its metal body stampings. The headlights, alloy wheels & tyres, wing mirrors, dashboard and seats will likely be toned down for the final version. But will it carry the badge of the next generation Mitsubishi Colt Plus (AWD) or a rehashed crossover theme for the all-new Pajero iO?
Related posts:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/mitsubishi-concept-cx.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/08/2008-mitsubishi-colt.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/07/mitsubishi-evolution-xs-twin-clutch-sst.html
A new Chevrolet model called the Aveo Sedan was introduced to the Malaysian market recently, to kick off the formation of the new company called Hicom-Chevrolet Sdn Bhd. A joint venture between DRB-Hicom Bhd (49% holdings) and General Motors Asia Pacific Holdings (GMAPH) LLC (51% holdings), the newco serves to strengthen the Chevy brand in Malaysia. Hicom-Chevrolet will also explore the establishment of a local assembly programme in the near future, and at the same time provide a manufacturing hub for the production of Chevrolet vehicles, parts and accessories for the ASEAN region.
The Aveo sedan is available in two trim levels i.e. 1.4SE and 1.4SX, to be available later. Fully imported from Thailand (CBU) the SE retails at RM69,888. The engine is Daewoo’s 1.4L E-TEC II with 16-valve DOHC, generating 94bhp at 6200rpm and 130Nm maximum torque at 3400rpm. The 4-cylinder chambers are fed via multi-point fuel injection featuring Variable Geometry Intake System (VGIS). Standard for the Aveo Sedan is a four-speed automatic transmission equipped with Fuzzy Logic Control for a more responsive drive.
Equipments are fairly decent for a B-segment sedan like this new Aveo notchback. Among them are a 400litre boot space, 60/40 split reclining backseats, a tilt-adjustable power steering, power windows, central locking, electric side-view mirrors and front seatbelts with pretensioner.
Click on images to enlarge
Having grown up substantially over the current A4, the new B8 has a length of 4,703 mm. To put things in perspective, the current B7 measure in at 4,586mm. In tandem, its wheelbase has extended from the current 2685mm to 2808mm. In short, more cabin space is to be expected along with a capacious boot volume of 480litres.
Audi’s compact four-cylinder 1.8 TFSI, develops 160bhp and a torque of 250Nm between 1500 and 4500rpm, all from a displacement of 1798cc. The manual A4 1.8 TFSI does 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h, and maintains its thrust up to a top speed of 225 km/h. Yet according to the EU test cycle its consumption is only 7.1 l/100 km –1.1 litres per 100 kilometres better than the previous model. What we are likely to see from Euromobil in Malaysia will be the multitronic version - with continously variable transmission.
The 1.8 TFSI is a close relative of the 2.0 TFSI engine chosen three times in succession by a jury of international journalists as “Engine of the Year”. On this smaller version 0f the B8 range, direct petrol injection and turbocharging represent an ideal combination. Injection pressure has been increased to 150 bar and new direct injectors distribute the fuel accurately to the combustion chambers. The turbocharger is exceptionally rapid in its response – at an engine speed of 2000 rpm it accelerates the engine 30 percent faster to a ten percent higher torque than the conventional 1.8T engine that powered the preceeding model. For all its vigour, this four-cylinder unit runs quietly, in a most refined manner.
Audi AG has not released power/torque figures for the 2.0 TFSI engine application in the new A4.
Similar transmissions choices are carried over with the S-Tronic (DSG) still missing form the A4 line-up. As such, a six-speed manual gearbox, the tiptronic automatic transmission, the multitronic continuously variable transmission are paired with either front-wheel drive or quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
The technical features of the steel bodyshell are also evidence of the major steps forward that have been taken on the new Audi A4. The body is extremely light in weight: although almost 12cm longer and over 5cm wider than its predecessor, the bare bodyshell weighs about 10% less – an excellent starting point for a saloon car of low gross weight. The Audi A4 1.8 TFSI, for instance, tips the scales at only 1410kg.
This weight saving is due to specific use of new grades of steel that combine exceptional strength with low weight. Only these ultra-high-strength steel grades give the body the high level of rigidity needed for precise, sporty handling and good ride comfort.
Interchanging the differential and the clutch has enabled the front axle to be moved forward by 154 mm. This change, aided by moving the car’s battery to the boot, helps to achieve ideal weight distribution.
With its wide track –1564 mm at the front, 1551 mm at the rear – the A4 suggests its dynamic power even at a standstill. Audi claims the new A4 will be the sportiest car in the midsize category: agile, effortless to handle and safe at all times.
The new A4 (B8) goes on sale by November 2007 in Europe. Expect to see this in Malaysia only sometime H2 2008.
Available in five colours: Sparkle Grey, Bluish Silver, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Nighthawk Black Pearl and Satellite Silver Metallic, the ‘new’ City is available at all Honda dealers with immediate effect.
Prices are (on-the-road inclusive of insurance) RM85,800 for the VTEC and RM79,800 for the i-DSI. 
Mitsubishi Lancer: a vehicle model that has been synonymous with Malaysia's first national car. The Proton Saga, derived from the Lancer F or Fiore (3rd/4th generation) model of 1983 sold like hot cakes then, given the obvious pricing/tax advantage. Thereafter, the 6th generation Lancer became the ever-popular Proton Wira in 1993.
Now into its 9th generation, the all-new Lancer has grown up with a larger – much sleeker - body and a higher engine capacity of 2.0L. With a shape not unlike the Concept X unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2005, the tester unit in Red Mica Metallic had this writer awed the moment he encountered it in the metal. With a unique convex-concave (different from the Galant Sigmas) contour, the Lancer' headlamps are menacing with an intense ‘stare’. The A-pillars are less frontal based-pillared, rendering the Lancer GT a more laid-back balanced profile and stance (read: less cab-forward design).
The other point which may have the Lancer misunderstood as having a buzzy CVT is the somewhat unpleasant hollow groan from its mufflers from around 2000 to about 3250rpm. Sounded a bit like an automatic scooter during my medical school days! This has to be the biggest bugbear to the GT’s Evo X halo it carries and of course, the nameplate. The motor drone at revs above 5000rpm isn’t very inspiring either but it gets the job done of hurtling this Mitsu to high three digits speed, with ease. An average figure of 10.2secs was achieved for 0-100km/h runs, not bad at all. Brakes are adequately powerful to scrub off whatever speed you’re running with enough pedal feel and not too grabby at the rotors either.
A lot of criticism has been leveled at the new Lancer’s plastic interiorly in many online automotive forums thus far. Honestly, I don’t really find hard plastic on the dashboard a matter of live-and-death. In this Japanese C-segment class of 1.8L and 2.0L capacities many other automakers are ‘culprits’ as well. Well, maybe we have been spoiled by the Wiras (and Perdanas too) of yesteryears but let’s not forget that it was a class-leader as far as soft touch dash-top is concerned. What is pertinent here is the texturing of the plastic that has motoring enthusiasts drawing their swords over. Looking at how Toyota and even Honda managed with their hard but nicely TEXTURED dashboard surface, there may be a thing or two for MMC to learn here. (Interestingly and ironically, the Colt has better textured dash-top plastic!) 
While the external door handles looked flush, neatly up-to-date and solidly placed just above a rising flank crease, tugging on them didn’t exude a solid firmness as anticipated. There were slight ripples of vibration felt in the door metal sheath. In all fairness, this is also experienced in the Lancer’s intended 1.8/2.0 closest competitor. On the other hand, having driven the new Lancer in the rain, the roof passed what I coined as still-quiet-in-the-rain test, beautifully. To be frank, quite a number of ASEAN sourced models (CKD) failed to make the grade here. Then again, this is Japan-CBU stuff and built quality is generally good, albeit some parts have visibly suffered due to cost cutting measures.
Overall fuel consumption over the few days of testing ranged from 7.2 to 8.2 km/l which was pretty high for a 2.0L sub mid-sized sedan. This might be due to a heavy right foot, most of the time stretching the CVT as well as the 2.0L engine’s powerband!
