VW Golf GTI W12 Concept

Pictured above is a highly modified, super high performance version of VW’s iconic hot-hatch, the Golf GTI Mk5. A 6.0L W12 twin-turbo engine is mid-mounted (just in front of the rear-axle), capable of punching out 660bhp @ 6.000 rpm and wrenching a hyper-twisty 750Nm @ 4.500 rpm.

This Golf GTI W12 rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 sec. To put this in perspective, it is as quick as a 911 Turbo Tiptronic (997). From here, it will relentlessly pile on to a Vmax of 325km/h. Extensive bodywork modifications include super-wide body panels plus lowered sills/skirts. Enlarged and side air intakes are seen to cool the monstrous engine.

There are no words from VAG whether this ultra-high performance Golf GTI will make it into VW showrooms for sale.

Nissan 350z Facelift

For the 2007 model year, Nissan engineers have taken the iconic Z-car one step further with the next generation of its award-winning VQ-series 3.5L V6. The new VQ35HR V6 produces 306bhp and 363Nm of torque and features a twin air intake system which boost its power band (read: improved low end torque as well as higher revving) and yet delivers improved fuel economy.

Other new features for the 2007 350Z include a new front hood – central 'power' bulge - contour , three new exterior colors, a new grey coloured convertible top for the Roadster, interior improvements, a Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System for the coupe, and standard front seat-mounted side-impact SRS air bags (Roadsters). Other new features include a retuned speed-sensitive power steering system, LED taillights, an optional recalibrated sat-nav system and RAYS lightweight 18” front/19” rear 5-spoke forged alloy wheels.

New 3.5 V6 VQ35HR Engine:

The fourth-generation VQ-series V6, which has been named one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward’s Auto World magazine for 14 consecutive years, has been significantly revised for application in the 2007 350Z, with approximately 80% of major parts (except bolts, O-rings and clips) redesigned.

The engine block features ladder frame construction for greater rigidity. Crank journal and pin diameters have been increased but the block height has been increased by 8.4 mm to reduce piston side force. In tandem, the engine base has been lowered 15 mm. Other powerplant enhancements include variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a higher redline of 7,500 rpm and higher compression ratio (from 10.3:1 to 10.6:1). Other updates encompass asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, improved coolant flow and new Iridium-tipped spark plugs.

A new symmetric twin ram air intake system helps reduce airflow resistance and increases horsepower, by up to 3bhp, as more air rush in at speed. As always with the powerful 3.5L V6 engine, the Fairlady-Z produces a guttural sports car growl to match – one without the low frequency booming or rumbling or high-pitched mechanical sounds that can be a bane on your eardrums on long journeys.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) will officially import one for true Z-car enthusiasts in Malaysia. List price is RM465,000.

2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift

The current Saab 9-3 range will be facelifted for model year 2008, drawing inspiration from the award-winning Aero-X concept car. Frontal visage, especially the grille section is significantly revised and adopts a sharper, more ‘serious’ outlook. The front bumper plus its airdam exerts a more aggressive and sporty profile. Styling themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of Saab’s classic ‘clamshell’ design refreshes the overall 9-3 silhouette, and yet maintaining the distinctive Saab identity.

The new 9-3 range still maintains the Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models, each offering a ‘tri-fuel’ engine choice of petrol, diesel or BioPower (E85). Available in three trim levels: Linear, Vector and Aero, the refreshed 9-3 goes on sale in the U.S. starting August 2007.

Related post:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/02/saab-9-3-sportcombi-20-lpt-sport.html

2008 All-New Honda Accord Sedan

MotorTrend.com has reported that the all-new 8th generation Honda Accord will make its U.S. debut sometime August 2007.
Clearer and larger full-sized spy photos can be viewed at:
http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0705_2008_honda_accord_sedan/

As compared to the spy pictures above, a lot of the design cues of the sedan can be traced to the Accord coupe as pictured below:

As expected, there are no indications whether this model will replace the current 7th gen Accord in Malaysia. However, from the trends observed for the 6th and 7th gen Accords, it is likely that this US model will be the next successor for the current facelifted Accord locally. The pertinent question now is when...H2 2008 or early 2009?

2008 All-New Audi A4 (B8)

By Dr Long

What is seen here is possibly the all-new Audi A4 due in the UK by September 2007 , as well as making its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2007. Based on the new B8 platform - first used in the new A5/S5 coupe - the key technical features of this new challenger to BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are a radical new drivetrain and front suspension design that promises better (read: more equitable) front:rear weight distribution.

With the B8 platform, the engine still sits longitudinally ahead of the front axle...but Audi engineers have placed the front differential between the engine and the transmission, effectively shifting the weight of the engine rearwards. The front driveshafts are also angled slightly towards the front of the car and supported by a new five link suspension system. As an example seen in the new A5, this new - albeit pricey - front wheel drivetrain solution means the front axle centreline, is some 12cm further forward than the current B7-based A4.

More significantly, the new B8-based A4 in AWD Quattro configuration - as claimed by Audi AG engineers - promises similar handling characteristics to a conventional RWD vehicle.

Speculated engine range of the Audi A4 B8 should include the new 1.8L turbocharged TFSI engine in two different state of tunes (130 and 160bhp), the superb 2.0 TFSI (200bhp), a 2.4 V6 FSI with 177bhp , the 3.2 V6 FSI with 260bhp, a 2.0 TDI turbo-diesel engine in 3 stages of tweaks (115-150-170bhp), a 2.7 V6 TDI that punches out 190bhp and finally the 3.0 V6 TDI boosted to 250bhp (from 233bhp).

In the course of evolution, the replacements S4 and RS4 will be upgraded too: the 4.2L V8 of the S4 will uprate from 344 to 360bhp, while the 4.2L V8 of the RS4 will go manic from 420 to 450bhp! It looks like BMW E92 M3 and Mercedes-Benz W204 C63 AMG will not have it so easy in 2008.

Pictured below is the new Audis S5 and subsequently the A5, from which most of the design cues of the all-new A4 are to be taken from. However, the boring rectangular healights are expected to be ditched in favour of the more shapely ones depicted above.

A reliable source from Euromobil Malaysia have indicated that the all-new Audi A4 2.0TFSI (and likely 1.8TFSI) will be making it into the local Audi showrooms only by Q3/Q4 2008.

Related post:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2006/12/audi-a4-tfsi-to-quattro-or-not-to.html

New Perodua Viva

After much fanfare of spy-shots, scoops and media embargo, this is the final unveiled 'new' product coming from Perodua, Malaysia's second national car manufacturer. In the built up to the launch yesterday, it was much talked and claimed to be THE one-for-all replacemant model for its ultra-bargain basement 660cc, 850cc Kancil AND the 1,000cc Kelisa.

However - and dissapointingly so - Perodua too has taken the route of Proton in maintaining a super-ageing model, the Kancil to soldier as a true entry-level car - citing inablity to keep manufacturing cost low enough (even for a 660cc variant?) for the Viva to be super-affordable. The cheapest Kancil 660cc is about RM22k, last quoted at a dealer showroom. Gosh! That's about RM6k - or roughly 27% - hike for this super-base model! No wonder Perodua has been quick to add that Viva "isn't Kancil's replacement"...and cleverly so.

Truth be told, this is a rebadged model based on the LAST model Daihatsu Mira (read: predecessor) and not the real McCoy currently on sale in Japan.

Prices after the picture below, please judge for yourself whether this is a truly value-for-money national car, despite the seemingly low-ish price tags.

Variants and Prices (OTR with insurance):

Perodua Viva 660cc MT Solid: RM28,400
Perodua Viva 660cc MT Metallic: RM28,800
Perodua Viva 850cc MT Solid: RM32,500
Perodua Viva 850cc MT Metallic: RM32,900
Perodua Viva 1000cc MT Solid: RM36,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc MT Metallic: RM37,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc AT Solid: RM39,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc AT Metallic: RM40,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium MT Solid: RM40,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium MT Metallic: RM41,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium AT Solid: RM43,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium AT Metallic: RM44,200

*For more comprehensive infos, you are better off here:
http://paultan.org/archives/2007/05/11/new-perodua-viva-full-details-photos-and-price/
Or here:
http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles/article_932/page_m.asp

*Many motoring enthusiasts have complained to For Wheels about Perodua's website being inaccesible as of 11th May 2007.

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.