Ariffbaki

Sunday, June 1, 2014

[New post] SPIED: Volvo XC60 facelift already in showrooms?

SPIED: Volvo XC60 facelift already in showrooms?

by Jonathan James Tan

It's about time! Having been in Malaysia since 2009 in pretty much the same form, the largely-forgotten Volvo XC60 is begging for a new lease of life. In 2010, the CKD 2.0 T PowerShift replaced the CBU T6, and in the following year, that was replaced by the T5 PowerShift, which has soldiered on here for three whole years.

Now the great burden is about to be lifted off its shoulders, as reader Sonyman has sent in this shot of the facelifted Volvo XC60. It appears to be at a dealership. The refreshed SUV, which was unveiled globally in February 2013, was spotted at JPJ early this year.

What's new? Well the face, for starters - a wider front grille leaves no room for the pre-facelift's slim auxiliary lamps on either side, and a new front bumper, featuring vertical LED DRLs, brings the vehicle into line with the S60 and V60 facelifts, both of which we haven't yet gotten.

All the black body cladding is gone, although skid plates are still fitted. The twin tailpipes are no longer circular; they're now integrated into, and flush with, the rear bumper.

Corner Traction Control should be there as standard - it's a new torque vectoring system that works against understeer by braking individual inside wheels when you enter a corner, and sending torque to the outside wheels when you power out. If it's a T5, the same 240 hp/320 Nm 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine should be under that reshaped bonnet.

Volvo XC60 facelift spotted in JPJ Putrajaya

Jonathan James Tan | June 2, 2014 at 2:45 pm | Categories: Cars, Local News, Spyshots, Volvo | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13j2

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[New post] Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution now in GT6

Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution now in GT6

by Jonathan Lee

If you boot up a copy of Gran Turismo 6 on the PlayStation 3 now and install the latest software update, you'll be treated with a surprise – a new Vision Gran Turismo concept. And unlike past flights of fancy, this one has at least some element of reality to it and might just set alight the hopes of many petrolheads alike – the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV Evolution.

Based on the XR-PHEV concept from Tokyo 2013, the new car revives the Evolution nameplate last seen on the Lancer Evolution X. It's been slammed to the ground and the body, now made from carbon fibre, has been stretched much wider, hunkering over the 20-inch wheels. There's a large front splitter, deep side sill extensions and a massive rear diffuser, and the back end is topped off with a enormous rear spoiler.

Similar to the regular XR-PHEV, the new Evo will be powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain. No details are known so far, but it is almost certain to be a damn sight more powerful than the 99 hp 1.1 litre three-cylinder turbocharged MIVEC engine and 120 kW (161 hp) electric motor combo featured in the original concept.

That powertrain is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive, with power to each wheel controlled through the Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamic control system.

Using the same design process as real Mitsubishi motorsports vehicles, the XR-PHEV Evo was developed with the company's in-house design team, its Advanced Vehicle Research and Development Group and its Aerodynamic Engineering and Development Group.

So, what do you think – could this really be a continuation of the Evolution lineage?

Jonathan Lee | June 2, 2014 at 1:15 pm | Categories: Cars, International News, Mitsubishi | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13gw

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[New post] Ops Cermin Gelap: JPJ to enforce workshop decisions

Ops Cermin Gelap: JPJ to enforce workshop decisions

by Jonathan James Tan

The two-day workshop on the direction and policy of the use of vehicle tints begins tomorrow, and the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will implement whatever decisions are made at the workshop, Bernama reports.

Director-general Datuk Seri Ismail Ahmad said that as an implementing agency, JPJ would enforce whatever decisions were made by the Transport ministry.

"If it decides that everybody cannot use dark-tinted glass, we will enforce the regulation, and if it decides to allow everybody to use dark-tinted glass, we will also enforce it," Bernama quoted him as saying.

Apparently, a picture of a dark-tinted vehicle, allegedly belonging to Ismail, was being widely circulated. He said it belonged to another officer.

"The picture is not accurate actually because the glass is not very dark because it meets the stipulated specification, which is 30% darkness for the front glass and 50% for the rear and side (windows).

"Perhaps, because of the lighting, the glass looks darker," he said, adding that the use of dark-tinted glass was permitted for enforcement agencies for the security of their staff.

Jonathan James Tan | June 2, 2014 at 12:03 pm | Categories: Cars, Local News | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13ki

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[New post] Sale of diesel, petrol at Kelantan-Thai border limited

Sale of diesel, petrol at Kelantan-Thai border limited

by Jonathan James Tan

In an attempt to curb rampant fuel smuggling, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism ministry (KPDNKK) has limited the sale of diesel and petrol by kiosks at the Kelantan-Thailand border, reports Bernama.

Secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad announced on Saturday that from June 1, each of the 39 kiosks, located within 1-25 km from the border, can only sell 600,000 litres of diesel and petrol monthly.

"We found that the sale of diesel and petrol by kiosks at the border reached up to 1.9 million litres monthly for each kiosk. It's impossible for the kiosks to have that many customers," he said. "The government suffered RM30 million losses due to smuggling of subsidised fuel in Rantau Panjang alone.

"The smugglers no longer use lorries with extra fuel tanks but commute using the same vehicles to the border. The quota is imposed until the government implements a new system in September."

Firm action would be taken against fuel kiosk operators who collaborate with smugglers in the illegal transportation of diesel and petrol, said Alias.

"We will not hesitate to suspend their licences under the Petroleum Development Act. Kiosks that need higher quota of diesel and petrol must submit an application to Kelantan KPDNKK."

He added that KPDNKK will continue Ops Titik until December and will set up a special intelligence team to monitor and spy on smuggling syndicates.

Jonathan James Tan | June 2, 2014 at 10:59 am | Categories: Local News, Malaysian Fuel Prices | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13kk

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[New post] Petronas Lube Reward Programme launched – Mesra Card points and rewards for trade partners

Petronas Lube Reward Programme launched – Mesra Card points and rewards for trade partners

by Danny Tan

Lub Dagangan Sdn Bhd (LDSB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Petronas Dagangan Berhad, launched the Petronas Lube Reward Programme last Friday in KL. The event was officiated by AAM chairman YM Tunku Datuk Mudzaffar Tunku Mustapha and MAA president Datuk Aishah Ahmad.

The Petronas Lube Reward Programme is part of an effort to build a stronger relationship with the oil company's trade partners from the passenger vehicle, motorcycle and commercial vehicle lube segments. Basically, it allows trade partners such as workshops and spare parts retailers to enjoy points and rewards under the Petronas Mesra Loyalty Programme, just like us end users.

Trade customers can now collect points with each lube transaction with LDSB's appointed Market Execution Partners. The points can then be redeemed for fuel and goods at any of the over 1,000 Petronas stations nationwide.

"Through this reward programme that is created specially for them, we hope to build a long term relationship that would benefit all parties. This is part of our strategy to foster brand loyalty among our trade partners and to remain as the Brand of First Choice," LDSB chairman Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus said.

Danny Tan | June 2, 2014 at 10:39 am | Categories: Local News | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13hq

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[New post] New system to ensure subsidised diesel, petrol is sold only to eligible commercial vehicles, starting Sept

New system to ensure subsidised diesel, petrol is sold only to eligible commercial vehicles, starting Sept

by Jonathan James Tan

Starting September 1, the government will introduce a new system to ensure subsidised diesel and petrol is sold only to eligible commercial vehicles, Bernama reports.

Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alias Ahmad said a similar system for private vehicles would be implemented in October or November, with details to be revealed at a news conference soon.

"The government is finalising a new system for about 3,500 petrol stations in the country to ensure the sale of subsidised diesel and petrol is made only to genuinely eligible vehicles.

"The government targets savings of RM9.8 billion through the implementation of the new system which is assured to be more efficient and effective," he said on Saturday.

He added that the government was confident that the new system could curb abuses and leakages, hence economic wastage, in the distribution of subsidised diesel and petrol.

Jonathan James Tan | June 2, 2014 at 8:55 am | Categories: Cars, Local News, Malaysian Fuel Prices | URL: http://wp.me/p1x6AR-13k8

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blogger boleh: “PCHBlog” plus 1 more

PCHBlog

Posted: 01 Jun 2014 02:25 AM PDT

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