[New post] Three automakers have applied for EEV incentives

Anthony Lim posted: " According to a news report published by The Sun, three automakers have applied for the incentives that have been set in place for locally-assembled energy efficient vehicles (EEV) under the revised National Automotive Policy (NAP 2014). The identity of" New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News Three automakers have applied for EEV incentives by Anthony Lim According to a news report published by The Sun, three automakers have applied for the incentives that have been set in place for locally-assembled energy efficient vehicles (EEV) under the revised National Automotive Policy (NAP 2014). The identity of the automakers hasn't been disclosed, and are unlikely to be, Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) president Datuk Aishah Ahmad said. "I don't know the details because once the carmakers have submitted to the government, it is confidential and we won't know who they are," she told reporters at the MAA AGM held last week. She added that any automaker can apply for the EEV incentives if its vehicles fit the EEV profile. Once the necessary submission to the government has been carried out, both parties can then discuss the level of assistance the government is able to provide. Despite EEV exemptions being customised and dependent on the amount of investment, Aishah said that automakers can make the request for exemptions without being controlled by the size of investment. "The bigger the investment you make, the bigger incentive you will get. But the government is not saying that if you make a certain amount of investment, this is the amount of incentive you get," she explained. In NAP 2014-related news, Aishah said that no consultant has been appointed yet to conduct a study on whether the open approved permit (AP) should be abolished or continue. "As far as we know, not yet," she stated. Anthony Lim | April 1, 2014 at 2:25 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-1060 Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/three-automakers-applied-eev-incentives/

[New post] Daihatsu Ayla seen again – Perodua Viva replacement?

Jonathan James Tan posted: " The debadged Daihatsu Ayla/Toyota Agya has been spotted again, wearing the same trade plate as before. These spyshots were kindly sent in by reader Din Adun - now we know what the car looks like with its brake lamps on. Could Perodua have brought this " New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News Daihatsu Ayla seen again – Perodua Viva replacement? by Jonathan James Tan The debadged Daihatsu Ayla/Toyota Agya has been spotted again, wearing the same trade plate as before. These spyshots were kindly sent in by reader Din Adun - now we know what the car looks like with its brake lamps on. Could Perodua have brought this in to test and evaluate its upcoming Viva replacement model? After all, Perodua CEO Datuk Aminar Rashid has revealed that a "new model" is set to launch in the second half this year, and since it's not going to be a sedan and the Viva is nearing seven years of age… Anyhow, the "new model" will be built at the new Perodua Global Manufacturing plant located next to the existing Sungai Choh, Rawang facility, while its gearbox would come from the E-AT plant at the Sendayan Industrial Park, Negeri Sembilan. The exterior will be designed in-house by Perodua, while the interior was previewed by the GMA Space concept you saw at KLIMS13. More info on the Viva replacement model here and here, and a Theophilus Chin rendering here. Jonathan James Tan | April 1, 2014 at 1:32 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-106x Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/daihatsu-ayla-spotted-perodua-viva/

[New post] 2015 Honda Fit Kit – build your supermini by hand

Jonathan Lee posted: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8GLIJ_HQJ8 Have you always wanted to build your own fully-functioning car? No, not a Caterham, but a proper, fully-featured family hatchback? Well, Honda – in the US at least – has you covered with the Fit Kit, part of its" New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News 2015 Honda Fit Kit – build your supermini by hand by Jonathan Lee Have you always wanted to build your own fully-functioning car? No, not a Caterham, but a proper, fully-featured family hatchback? Well, Honda – in the US at least – has you covered with the Fit Kit, part of its Handmade Series. The kit – built (hah) specifically for the handcrafted movement – allows experienced tinkerers to build their very own 2015 Honda Fit (known to you and me as the Honda Jazz). With over 180,000 individual mechanical parts, Honda calls this grown-up Tamiya kit "a challenge for the most talented and adroit". According to Honda, those wanting to take on the Fit Kit should be a "tinkerer par excellence". Known difficult bits include being able to wire up the car's electronic features such as the Bluetooth connectivity and LaneWatch warning system, as well as building the i-VTEC engine and six-speed manual transmission piece-by-piece. The parts will be delivered to your doorstep within two days, some of them by drones. In the video above, Honda have found two testers, Vanessa and Caleb, to complete their first beta kit. As you can see, they are experienced with crafting things with their own hands, and it will be pretty interesting to watch this build come together... Jonathan Lee | April 1, 2014 at 1:24 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-105j Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/2015-honda-fit-kit-build-supermini-hand/

[New post] Hyundai to run three i20 WRC cars at Rally de Portugal

Danny Tan posted: " Fresh from scoring its maiden podium last month at Rally Mexico, the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team is gearing up for the fourth round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship calendar, Rally de Portugal, which takes place this weekend. As the cha" New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News Hyundai to run three i20 WRC cars at Rally de Portugal by Danny Tan Fresh from scoring its maiden podium last month at Rally Mexico, the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team is gearing up for the fourth round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship calendar, Rally de Portugal, which takes place this weekend. As the championship returns to Europe following a detour to Central America, Hyundai Motorsport will now run three Hyundai i20 WRC cars for the first time in a WRC event with the aim of accelerating its steep learning curve in the series. Thierry Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul, who secured the podium spot in Mexico, will lead the three-car squad with the Hyundai i20 WRC #7, while Finnish duo Juho Hänninen and Tomi Tuominen will return to the wheel of the #8 car for the first time since Rally Sweden. Both crews will be eligible to score points for the Hyundai Motorsport entry. They will be joined by Spaniard Dani Sordo and his co-driver Marc Martí who will be entered under the recently announced 'Hyundai Motorsport N' team, driving the Hyundai i20 WRC #20. The team will also participate with Sordo in the Fafe Rally Sprint this weekend, the spectacular appetiser to the rally, held in the Fafe-Lameirinha stage near Porto. Based in the Algarve region in the south of the country, Rally de Portugal is considered the first traditional loose surface event of the season with its abrasive stages which combine fast and wide roads with more twisty, narrower sections and a frequent change of grip. These conditions require accurate preparation to approach the event in the best possible shape. In order to achieve this, Neuville, Hänninen, Sordo and the team took part in two separate pre-event test sessions in the region. Despite the significant boost in confidence to the entire team following the Mexican podium, the objectives for Rally Portugal remain the same as the previous three WRC events: to continue development of the Hyundai i20 WRC and to acquire more experience in the competitive WRC environment. After three rounds (Monte Carlo, Sweden, Mexico), VW's Sebastien Ogier leads the drivers' standings ahead of teammate Jari-Matti Latvala. In the teams' chart, defending champs VW lead Citroen 115 to 60. Danny Tan | April 1, 2014 at 12:45 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-104o Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/hyundai-three-i20-wrc-cars-rally-portugal/

[New post] MINI Paceman GoalCooper – score big with this one

Anthony Lim posted: " Here's one for the footie fans. MINI has come up with a strictly limited-edition offering called the MINI Paceman GoalCooper, and the car is being officially presented today, April 1. Seeing as the World Cup is just around the corner, the car, based on" New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News MINI Paceman GoalCooper – score big with this one by Anthony Lim Here's one for the footie fans. MINI has come up with a strictly limited-edition offering called the MINI Paceman GoalCooper, and the car is being officially presented today, April 1. Seeing as the World Cup is just around the corner, the car, based on a Paceman JCW, pays homage to that veritable football tournament - the MINI Design Team, captained by Oliviero Weilinho, has chosen to clad the car with a Danielson multi-coloured exterior featuring the colours of the Brazilian flag, You won't go off-side with the interior, which has astro turf floor mats in Brasileiro Green and "floodlights" in the shape of a MINI LED interior lighting package, to give the car a stadium-like feel. For relieving pre-match tension or enjoying some half-time downtime, the special Paceman GoalCooper features a miniature table football set, mounted on the centre rail. The car is also fully equipped for training between matches. The rear seatbacks can be folded over to turn the boot, which is fully clad in AstroTurf, into a football goal, with the net attached behind the front seats. As soon as the Park Distance Control (PDC) sensors - in conjunction with the interior monitoring sensors of the alarm system - register that a shot is being attempted on goal, the electric tailgate is operated, instantly closing and reflecting the ball, thereby keeping the score sheet clean. If a player successfully puts one past the 'keeper, he can share his success immediately with other MINI drivers. When the final whistle has been blown after 90 minutes, the score is transmitted to an iPad in the car via a dedicated Paceman GoalCooper MINI Connected App - the results can be compared online with other registered users at any time. The table is updated everyday, and at the end of the tournament, the MINI Community World Champion will lift the trophy. No mention of when it'll sign for you, or for that matter, what the transfer fees and how long the contract period is with this one. It'll probably be undisclosed... Anthony Lim | April 1, 2014 at 11:25 am | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-105e Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/mini-paceman-goalcooper-score-one/

[New post] Qoros 3 Hatch wins Red Dot Design Award

Jonathan James Tan posted: " The Qoros 3 Hatch, which made its first global appearance in Geneva last month, has won one of the world's leading design prizes, a Red Dot Award. An 'Honourable Mention' accolade went to the young Chinese carmaker's second model, in recognition of its " New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News Qoros 3 Hatch wins Red Dot Design Award by Jonathan James Tan The Qoros 3 Hatch, which made its first global appearance in Geneva last month, has won one of the world's leading design prizes, a Red Dot Award. An 'Honourable Mention' accolade went to the young Chinese carmaker's second model, in recognition of its "striking and particularly successful detail solutions." In early March the carmaker's first model, the Qoros 3 Sedan, received the Universal Design Award 2014 for outstanding product quality. The Qoros 3 Sedan is the first Chinese car in history to get a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating; not only that, it achieved the highest overall Euro NCAP score last year. "For our international team these awards are both an honour and an incentive," said design head Gert Volker Hildebrand. "In our designs, which are inspired by contemporary European automotive styling themes, we are integrating our own very distinctive touches to give our fledgling brand an identity of its own that will make it unmistakable." Both the Qoros 3 Sedan and Hatch are powered by a 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine in naturally-aspirated (126 hp/155 Nm, six-speed manual) and turbocharged (156 hp/210 Nm, six-speed manual or six-speed Getrag 6DCT250 dry-dual clutcher) forms. Qoros 3 Hatch Qoros 3 Sedan Jonathan James Tan | April 1, 2014 at 10:42 am | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-ZZ1 Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/qoros-3-hatch-red-dot/

[New post] F22 BMW 2 Series Coupe teased by BMW Malaysia

Hafriz Shah posted: " April is going to be a busy month for BMW Malaysia, it seems. We already know of the F15 BMW X5's arrival this week, and it now looks like the 2 Series Coupe will make its local debut shortly too, to go head to head against the freshly launched CLA. "Th" New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News F22 BMW 2 Series Coupe teased by BMW Malaysia by Hafriz Shah April is going to be a busy month for BMW Malaysia, it seems. We already know of the F15 BMW X5's arrival this week, and it now looks like the 2 Series Coupe will make its local debut shortly too, to go head to head against the freshly launched CLA. "The rebel of the family will be unleashed soon, very soon!" says the teaser on BMW Malaysia's Facebook page, accompanied by the photo above. A recap for those not in the know: the F22 BMW 2 Series Coupe is basically a sporty, two-door coupe version of the F20 1 Series, much in the same way that the F32 4 Series Coupe is a more dynamic F30 3 Series with less doors. BMW goes a step further still, claiming that it's an extension of the classic BMW 02 range, hence them being pictured together here. In international markets, the F22 is available in 218d, 220d, 225d, 220i, 228i and M235i forms. The diesel and M Performance models seem unlikely to reach our shores (at initial launch, at least), leaving the 2.0 litre BMW TwinPower Turbo pair of the 184 hp/270 Nm 220i or the 245 hp/350 Nm 228i as plausible candidates. Both are paired to an eight-speed auto'box, and can get to 100 km/h in 7.0 and 5.7 seconds respectively. As for which of the four trim lines - standard, Modern Line, Sport Line and M Sport, each with unique exterior and interior design cues – will be offered here, your guess is as good as ours. We'll have more details as they come. For now, do read our international launch report for everything there is to know about the new F22 BMW 2 Series Coupe, then read our test drive review of the M235i. Hafriz Shah | April 1, 2014 at 9:27 am | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-103Q Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/04/01/f22-bmw-2-series-coupe-teased-bmw-malaysia/

[New post] Next generation Chevrolet Cruze uncovered in China

Paul Tan posted: " Seems China is one of the worst places to leave your yet to be launched car uncovered. Yet another car has been undressed before its global unveiling - this time it's the next generation Chevrolet Cruze, which is rumoured to be officially shown at this " New post on Paul Tan's Automotive News Next generation Chevrolet Cruze uncovered in China by Paul Tan Seems China is one of the worst places to leave your yet to be launched car uncovered. Yet another car has been undressed before its global unveiling - this time it's the next generation Chevrolet Cruze, which is rumoured to be officially shown at this year's Auto China 2014 in Beijing happening towards the end of April. It certainly matches the spyshots that we've seen previously. This time the Chevrolet bowtie goes back to being positioned in the upper grille instead of being in the middle of a bar as with recent Chevrolet models. The front end is sharper and slimmer now, compared to the outgoing Cruze's bold nose. We also see daytime running lights installed above the foglamp surround. The tail lamps match the ones we've seen in previous spyshots, and although they're not lit up here, spy photos have revealed that they light up with a U shape similiar to the Chevy Camaro. We've also seen the interior before in spy photos, but since this is not a test mule the interior seen here is a lot cleaner. Like the outgoing car, the new Cruze seems to have a colour-coded interior - this one gets a brown leather wrapped dash to match the leather seats. Paul Tan | March 31, 2014 at 11:18 pm | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-103V Comment    See all comments Unsubscribe to no longer receive posts from Paul Tan's Automotive News. Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions. Trouble clicking? Copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://paultan.org/2014/03/31/next-generation-chevrolet-cruze-uncovered-china/