International Engine of the Year Awards 2007

The International Engine of the Year Awards have become one of the most sought-after automotive accolades and an effective marketing tool for triumphant marques.

For 2007, the award was judged by a panel of 62 renowned motoring journalists from 29 countries encompassing the USA, Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, India, Korea, Germany, France, South Africa, and the UK, the Awards highlight and acknowledge powerplant engineering excellence.

Judges apply their impressions from driving today's latest cars to help them find the engines that offer the best driveability, performance, economy, and refinement, and reward manufacturers for the successful application of advanced engine technology.

The winners for 2007 are:

Best New Engine of 2007: BMW 3.0L Twin-Turbo (335i)



Best Fuel Economy: Toyota 1.5L Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)

Best Performance Engine: BMW 5.0L V10 (M5, M6)

<1.0L: Toyota 1-litre (Toyota Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1)

1.0L to 1.4L: VW 1.4L TSI Twincharger (VW Golf, Polo, Touran, Jetta)

1.4L to 1.8L: BMW-PSA 1.6L Turbo (MINI, Peugeot 207)

1.8L to 2.0L: VW 2.0L Turbo FSI (VW Golf, Passat, Audi A3, A4, A6, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia)

2.0L to 2.5L: BMW 2.5L (325, 525, X3, Z4)

2.5L to 3.0L: BMW 3.0L Twin-Turbo (335i coupe)

3.0L to 4.0L: Porsche 3.6L Turbo (911 Turbo)

Above 4.0L: BMW 5.0L V10 (M5, M6)

The overall winner is:
International Engine of the Year 2007 - BMW 3.0L Twin-Turbo (335i Coupe)

* The Awards are organised by UKIP Media & Events - Automotive Magazines Division, Britain’s largest group of technical car publications.

Mercedes-Benz at BKK Motor Show 2007

By Dr Long

The Mercedes-Benz stand looked impressive and decidedly classy at the just concluded Bangkok International Motor Show 2007. However, the absence of the new W204 C-Class is disappointing for a motor show hailed as the best in South East Asia. Even a left-hand drive model would do DC AG good in terms of PR and marketing advantage. Instead, the outgoing W203 slogged on, doing its final bow at the prestigious annual motoring event.

Mercedes-Benz Thailand seemed bent on promoting the New Generation (W211 Facelift) E-Class, with a dedicated audio-visual presentation plus even an E220 CDI on display, something DaimlerChrysler Malaysia will not be remotely associated with for this new millennium, Bluetec or otherwise. Thanks to the commercial-grade Euro-1 diesel at the pumps!

Looking stately is the W221 S300L on a pedestal, expected soon in Malaysia by Q3 2007. Equally arresting is the super up-market CL500 coupe, parked just opposite the S-Class.

Kindly note the creative and precise water-jet curtain display of Mercedes-Benz model alphabets (“e” as pictured above). The three-pointed star logo was also decently projected (in tandem) to the left of the MB display stand.

Related post: http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-mercedes-benz-s300l-in-malaysia.html

Toyota VIOS at Bangkok Motor Show 2007

By Dr Long

For Wheels was there at the just concluded Bangkok International Motor Show 2007.
Local pricing of the new Vios ranges from Thai baht 509,000 to 699,000.
Here are some images of the most 'significant' new model launch at the annual Bangkok motoring event:

A common after-market conversion look to be 'dressed-up' by Malaysian Toyota owners for upcoming new VIOSes in the not too distant future: TRD VIOS as pictured here.

Over here in Malaysia, the all-new Toyota VIOS is expected from UMW Toyota sometime Q4 2007.

Coming Soon: All-New Honda Stream

Expected soon from Honda Malaysia and following the launch of the 3rd generation CR-V will be the all-new Stream. Featuring a low-floor platform, the new Stream combines stylish compact exterior with a comfortable interior and powerful driving performance. With a low overall height of 1,545mm, the new Stream has a modern dynamic sporty wagon look.

Into its second-generation, the Stream is a 7-seater with the versatility and functionality to make family and friends outings a joy. Along with its vibrant, low-slung styling, it delivers total comfort and a feeling of integration wherever the driver and passengers come in contact with the vehicle — whether getting in and out, steering, throttle response, or manipulating seating arrangements.

Body frame rigidity has been enhanced for improved driving performance, and the front sub-pillars have been eliminated to attain a significant increase in visibility. The floor design has also been significantly improved to create a flat foot area from corner to corner and a significantly lower floor for the third row of seats. These innovations mean improved passenger comfort as well as a lower centre of gravity for better handling.

Both powerplants—the newly developed 2.0L i-VTEC engine with CVT and the 1.8L i-VTEC engine with 5-speed automatic transmission—deliver powerful, smooth driving performance (from low to mid rev band).

Wheelbase has been increased by 20mm and the pedal layout adjusted to increase the tandem distance between the 2nd and 3rd row seats by 30mm, affording more room to third-row passengers.

Its side sill has been redesigned to obtain an extra 20mm of width for passengers in the first and second rows. For the third row, the use of a slim fuel tank permits a lower floor, while the reduced cross section in the rear frame results in more width. The adoption of a separate rear frame and floor panel construction allows for a floor flat all the way out to its edges on both sides. The floor tunnel has been eliminated for a significant gain in leg room. A completely flat floor creates an expansive and relaxing space, no matter where an occupant is sitting.

The R20A 2.0L i-VTEC engine found in the new CR-V will likely find its way into the local Honda Stream. It is unsure at this point whether the 1.8L i-VTEC version will be made available, but highly unlikely judging from the engine capacity of its competitors, the Mazda5 and Toyota Wish. Honda’s i-VTEC system is an improvement on the original VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) technology to allow the engine to retard intake valve closure timing under low engine-load driving conditions. Valve control is complemented by a DBW (Drive by Wire) system that provides optimum throttle valve control, significantly reducing pumping losses. This results in greater combustion efficiency, for a major improvement in fuel economy while cruising. At the same time, improved intake efficiency and a higher compression ratio create ample low-range torque, while comprehensive friction reduction measures and precise air-fuel ratio control result in outstanding fuel economy

The increased energy efficiency of the i-VTEC variable valve timing control system is further enhanced by a 3-stage variable-length intake manifold on the newly developed 2.0L engine to deliver torquey performance at all engine speeds, while the 1.8L engine employs a variable-length intake manifold that optimizes intake ram effect. Both engines achieve excellent fuel economy of 14.8km/l (claimed).

2.0L models are equipped with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with torque converter. The torque converter delivers powerful, urgent off-the-line performance, AND with the CVT’s smooth, seamless acceleration to follow later into higher speed.

The 1.8 Stream comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission that takes advantage of the engine’s performance characteristics to achieve both powerful acceleration and outstanding fuel economy. The upgrade to a 5-speed transmission from the previous Stream’s 4-speed transmission permits both a wider overall range of gearing and closer gear ratios.

Top-end RSZ model comes equipped with a paddle shifter with intelligent control. Operating the paddle shifter when the gear lever is in ‘D’ automatically flips the transmission into manual override. What’s more, the RSZ (2.0L) with CVT also comes with a 7-speed manual-shift mode of ‘virtual’ ratios.

The all-new Stream is widely expected to be launched by Q4 2007 in CBU form, to be imported from Indonesia. A continuation of its predecessor's ‘tradition’, as well as to relieve Honda Malaysia’s Melaka assembly plant maxed-out production capacity. Price is estimated to hover around RM160K.

Update: According to reliable sources involved in the 'processing' of Honda CBU cars, the all-new Stream is unlikely to make it to our shores in 2007. Allegedly, there are still hundreds of units of the current Stream uncalled for at the holding area at Port Klang, and the slowdown in sales hasn't picked up for this Honda MPV.

All New Toyota VIOS launched in Bangkok

Courtesy of Mr Peter Lee reporting from Bangkok, Thailand, these are the official pictures of this popular model replacement from Toyota.

Prices start at RM50K equivalent in Thai baht to the top-spec G trim asking for around RM75K.
In the royal kingdom however, life does not get cheaper even with the basic entry-level model, since all variants come with ABS standard. Options include leather seats, airbags and immobilizer but not the all important safety braking system.

From the pictures, its 1.5L engine remains largely unchanged. Also, the centrally placed meters are still present, but now with Optitron gauges for the 'G' version.

Update:

Significantly, the all-new VIOS' wheelbase has been increased to 2550mm (previously 2500mm). As a result, the passenger cabin is more spacious now (120mm extra) but the overall length of the car has been increased by just 15mm. In other words, wheels are increasingly being pushed nearer to the four corners of the vehicle. In growing evolution, boot volume is 19% more capacious than its predecessor, offering up to 475 litres.

Not wanting to discard a proven powerplant and likely in the interest of cost, Toyota's 1NZ-FE DOHC 16 valve 1.5L VVT-i engine soldiers on in this replacement model, albeit with claims of some minor improvements. Perhaps better fuel efficiency now? Power output and torque figures are the same as the Yaris, at 109bhp @ 6,000rpm and 141Nm @ 4200 rpm respectively. Transmission options are either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. No CVT options are available for the Thai/ASEAN market, as opposed to the JDM Yaris and Ractis with Super CVT-i (Continuously Variable Transmission-intelligent). CVT allows for a smoother drive, with no perceptible gear shifts at all, as gear ratios are infinitely varied with the use of steel belts and pulleys. Another welcomed benefit would be lower fuel consumption due to lesser loss of power in transmission.

Related post: http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/all-new-2007-toyota-vios.html