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Renault's eccentric new concept is an ideal ride for Poison Ivy
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
French automaker Renault and British designer Ross Lovegrove have collaborated on a new nature inspired EV concept - the Twin'Z. The 980kg weighing Twin'Z is essentially an EV, rear-wheel driven car featuring a rear mounted motor that is good for a range of 160km. The motor produces 68bhp and 260Nm of torque for a top speed of 130km/h. The concept aims to bring together two worlds in which design plays a prominent role - furniture and automobiles. The design language centres around the phases of the human life cycle represented as a six-petal flower. Inspiration comes from iconic models, such as the Renault 5 and Renault Twingo. The location of the rear-mounted motor and four lithium-ion battery packs allows an ample cabin space on top of renowned handling that makes it a delight to drive. The human life cycle inspired design fits Renault -
It's no longer a secret that Hummer is no longer in production today. Yet, does it ever come across your mind what the real reason is? Well, while some may say it's because of the rather old fashioned look the model sports, we'll say that it's because the Hummer H2 is actually a disguise of some sort of an old Chevrolet Tahoe, for example. Unfortunately, the Russians didn't actually know what the Hummer was all about, at least not until this hilarious Russian video went live on the internet. Well, considering they're half the world apart, it may be understandable. However, after watching this video, you should realise that instead of being a dream American All-Wheel Drive (AWD) V8 'conquer-any-terrain-and-obstacle' vehicle, the Hummer H2 is actually a go-nowhere vehicle. Just imagine, the car can't even climb a small concrete block. As you can see in the video, the Hummer drivetrain sends power to the rear instead of the front tyres, which is a clear reason it isn't climbing the concrete block. Eventually, as you can tell, the rear tyres go deeper into the snow and just remain there. Hilarious!
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Have you ever wondered why the 2012 FD Champion, Daigo Saito, can't be seen drifting his Achilles Radial Lexus SC430 at the moment? Well, it's because this professional Japanese drifter is currently busy with this Dodge Challenger, a muscle car from the country of Uncle Sam, at the Ebisu Circuit. But if you think this is just a normal American muscle car, well, think again. The said Dodge Challenger
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Jpop fans rejoice. 16 members of Japan's number one girl group - AKB48 - will be performing at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. An hour's live performance will occur at the performance stage on the 13th April at 06:00pm where the hit group will perform their hit singles like 'Heavy Rotation' and 'Aitakatta', among others! A meet and greet session will also be organised at the performance stage on the 12th April 2013 at 1515hrs and the 13th April 2013 at 1630hrs during the Tokyo Auto Salon Singapore 2013. Visitors who have purchased their tickets online can redeem limited first come, first served moshpit passes at the event and watch the performance up close. The 16 members from AKB48 are: 1. Maria Abe 2. Sayaka Akimoto 3. Rina Chikano 4. Nana Fujita 5. Rina Kawaei 6. Ayaka Kikuchi 7. Ami Maeda 8. Natsumi Matsubara 9. Sakiko Matsui 10. Tomomi Nakatsuka 11. Amina Sato 12. Sumire Sato 13. Haruka Shimada 14. Shihori Suzuki 15. Juri Takahashi 16. Yuuka Tano Do note the organiser reserves the rights to change the schedule and the list of members coming to the event.
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Are you an owner of a VW Scirocco? Does yours look any cooler than this one? This tuned VW Scirocco has been spotted in China quite recently. But why the VW Scirocco? Well, it's probably because in China, they say that this particular model from the German automaker Volkswagen is often fancied by Chinese young men with tight pants. So, while the body of the car retains its originality
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Noticed that the onemotoring website has been revamped to look more metro/modern as per Microsoft style. However, I am very disappointed that the website revamp seems to give more problems, in which after login, it says "loading information" but will remain in this state forever. Same thing when you tried to enquire assets information and etc, etc... Been trying for weeks using different browsers and different OS. All giving the same problem. Anyone encountered same issues? My workaround solution to renew COE is using the shortcut link (without login) in the website and it works. Those transactions that require login will have problems. [bigcry]
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In 2009, Hyundai and KIA had to recall 700,000 units of their models due to defective brake switches. Unfortunately, not learning from their experiences, these South Korean automakers repeat their mistake and this time, it's even worse. They now have to recall a total of 1.6 million units of cars they have produced due to the exact same problem. The brake switch defect may prevent the brake lamps from illuminating even when the brake pedal is actually stepped on. Of course, this is a big deal as it may trigger rear-end collisions. In addition to that, the defect may fail to cancel the cruise control feature while braking, prevent the push-button starter from functioning, and may even block the gear shift in the neutral position. Both KIA and Hyundai will start contacting dealers and customers of the affected models in June 2013 and will provide necessary replacements free of charge. The list of the affected models is as follows: - 2007 KIA Sedona - 2007-2009 Hyundai Tucson - 2008-2009 Hyundai Veracruz - 2007-2010 KIA Rondo - 2007-2010 KIA Sportage - 2007-2010 Hyundai Elantra - 2007-2011 KIA Sorento - 2007-2011 Hyundai Santa Fe - 2010-2011 KIA Soul - 2010-2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - 2011 Hyundai Sonata - 2011 KIA Optima
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MAS extends loan restrictions to all entities that finance car purchases
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The current car loan restrictions will be lifted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a period of 60 days for the purchase of used cars that were part of car dealers' inventory before 25th February 2013. Used cars registered as of 4th March 2013 will also be eligible for this concession as dealers have up to seven days to register used cars under the LTA's Temporary Transfer Scheme (TTS). The inventory of used cars acquired by dealers at relatively high in-built Certificate of Entitlement (COE) values has made it particularly challenging to adjust to the new market conditions. Demand has also fallen more sharply in the used car market compared to that for new cars. Thus MAS has therefore decided to temporarily lift the restrictions for the limited pool - comprising less than 7,000 cars. This concession takes effect from 6th April 2013 and will be in place for a period of 60 days, after which, the financing restrictions will apply. Also, the previously announced loan restrictions has been extended to all entities that finance car purchases - including those not regulated by MAS. MAS also announced it will continue to monitor developments in the car market and COE premiums, and will recalibrate the financing restrictions for new and used cars when appropriate. -
It's no longer a secret that car modifications are something favoured by plenty of car owners out there. In fact, some even feel proud if they are able to modify their car and give it a cooler look than any other cars out there. This is also felt by Kelvin, a young man from Bandung, Indonesia. Kelvin is an owner of a Toyota Ist, a hatchback from Japanese automaker Toyota. At first, Kelvin wasn't really a modification enthusiast and he was only used to dressing up his car a little. Nevertheless, living among several extreme car modification enthusiasts, he was eventually plagued by the car modification virus as well. As a result, his dressed up Toyota Ist changed completely. The first thing that came to his mind was how his car could catch the eyes of passer bys. For this, he chose a candy gold paint. According to Kelvin, not only can this colour catch people's eyes, it also has a high artistic value. It took two months for the Signal Kustom modification house to paint the car completely and, quite perfectly, too. The result was indeed eyecatching. However, a nice body paint wouldn't be complete if not accompanied by nice body kits as well. Therefore, Kelvin decided that he would use a VeilSide product and finally chose one that's actually meant for use with the Nissan 350Z Fairlady. As you can tell, the installation of this body kit required a lot of work due to the different curves and dimensions on the car from those of the Fairlady. Things got even trickier when Kelvin demanded that the body kits should be easily detachable. Unfortunately, not all parts of the car, such as the bumpers, could be made so. Kelvin's demand for the detachable body kits could only be applied on the front spoiler, front/rear fenders, side skirts, and the engine hood which featured air vents on the centre and the sides of it. The next thing to pay attention to was the rims. To match the bloating fenders, Kelvin had to use 8.5" rims (front) and 10" rims (rear). For the design and appearance of the rims to look attractive, Kelvin decided that he would use six-spoke rims painted in gold, too, just like the body of the car, surrounded by a chrome accent. For the interior, Kelvin only applied minor modifications. He modified the audio and applied leather material to the seats. Unfortunately, though, all the modifications seem useless in the end. You can say it was nothing but wasting money. For your information, though, Kelvin's Toyota Ist did win several trophies. Costing Rp150 million in total, the Ist was reverted to its original look with only minor modifications just within a month after the makeover was completed. We don't think it's worth the hard work and the total cost incurred in modifying his car. What do you think? Photo credit: Kompas Otomotif
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MINI recently held its Track Day at the Johor Circuit in Pasir Gudang to demonstrate the abilities of some of the hottest models in its range. The event featured cars such as the Cooper S, Cooper S Coupe, Cooper S Bayswater as well as the star of the event, the John Cooper Works Hatch. Participants were assigned to groups of five and we took turns to sample the cars in two segments - Skidpan and Track. First up, we headed to the skidpan and joined up with the Cooper S Coupe and Bayswater to try out three different activities. These activities were primarily designed to showcase the safety and stability of the cars and in order to do so, electronics on the cars, such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) were switched off. The first activity was the 360 degree spin where we got a better understanding of how the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) works. Jamming the brakes on a slippery surface (with ABS off) will put the car into a 'merry-go-round'. Then, we switched the ABS on and tried slamming the brakes again. The car stops normally like it should. ABS's effectiveness. Check. Next, we had a go at being stunt drivers, first with the J-Turn and lastly, the Handbrake Turn. Well, you should have seen this in James Bond movies or in The Fast and The Furious series. The J-Turn is used to flick a reverse-moving car around while moving in the same direction. Three easy steps - 'Reverse, Lift off throttle, Flick'. J-Turn. Check. The last activity was the Handbrake Turn. This technique is used if you need to change the vehicle's direction of travel very quickly. Turning the vehicle in the direction intended and then pulling the handbrake will cause the rear end to swing out. Handbrake Turn. Check. On a side note, please don't try these activities without professional guidance. With our helmets on, it was time to hit the track. We had a go with the Cooper S first. This car was awesome on tracks and screamed for more everytime we eased off turns. Next up, the JCW Hatch. Blazing down the straights and engaging turns like race car drivers, we felt that this hell of a hatch was made for the tracks. At the end of the day, participants were awarded with some goodies from MINI and a plaque for joining the Big Boys
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Well here it is - the first accident involving the chic looking all-new Jaguar F-Type roadster which will not be available till later this year. Sadly any information regarding the crash are not available and from the picture it is kinda obvious the front end needs many hours of repair. Apparently the crash happened during a comparison test between the Jaguar F-Type and two other cars. Thankfully no one was injured, except the car. Hey cars have feelings too ok? The Jaguar F-Type, is the successor to the famous Jaguar E-Type and will enter production in a couple of months.
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This year's Geneva Motor Show was a dream for many petrolheads, thanks to the presence of a new McLaren and a new Ferrari hypercar, a new Porsche GT3, a new Alfa and a crazy Lamborghini.. thingy.. I'm sure you guys know Chris Harris from the Drive channel, who was fortunate enough to visit the show. Besides his opinion on some of the show cars at Geneva, je gives us a review of the facelifted E 63 AMG. Oh and did I mention he dislikes the Veneno?
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Deregistration value, Paper value, OMV, COE, ARF & PARF rebates
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Here's a guide that helps you understand how to calculate the de-registration value of your vehicle and the relationship between OMV & ARF. De-registration value / Paper Value You must have heard of the term 'de-registration value' or also known as 'paper value' being thrown around when the casual chat of cars arises between friends or colleagues. More often than not, you would be surprised at the innocence of many local motorists who do not know what it actually means. What is De-registration value? [COE rebate + PARF rebate] = De-registration value The de-registration value simply refers to the returns you are entitled to from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) when you de-register your vehicle. The de-registration value is calculated based on the COE rebates and the PARF rebate value of your car. *Do note that COE cars (cars more than 10 years old) do not have any PARF Rebate, therefore the de-registration value for COE cars are based on the Prevailing Quota Premium paid. COE Rebate If a vehicle is de-registered before the end of the 10-year COE cycle, the registered owner can be granted a rebate based on the number of months and days remaining on his vehicle's COE. COE Rebate = (Quota Premium Paid x Number of months left) / 120 months For example if your COE costs $16,897 and expires on the 5th June 2015 but was de-registered on the 2nd January 2013. Unused period of the COE: From 3/1/2013 to 5/6/2015 = 2 years, 5 months and 3 days = 29.1 months Thus COE Rebate = ($16,897 x 29.1) / 120 = $4,097 PARF Rebate Calculating the PARF rebate value of your car is relatively simple as there are only two factors contributing to the PARF rebate value - age of vehicle and ARF value. As you can refer from the table above, the PARF rebate is a certain percentage of your ARF value -
The new MC Stradale will be the star on the Maserati stand, alongside the all new Quattroporte as they make their European debut. Maserati has unveiled a new, potent MC Stradale that will debut in Geneva. The new four seater GranTurismo MC Stradale, combines sportiness with remarkable Italian styling and luxury. While the new Quattroporte will be built in the newer Giovanni Agnelli plant in Grugliasco (Turin), the aggressive racing inspired GranTurismo MC Stradale will be built in viale Ciro Menotti in Modena. The changes include the new carbon fibre bonnet with a striking central air intake, which reminds me of the Ferrari California, and new forged 20-inch alloy rims. Maserati claims the new GranTurismo MC Stradale boasts four comfortable seats and the cabin houses featuring new materials and style. Sadly there aren't any pictures that shows the interior. The GranTurismo MC Stradale is powered by a capable 4.7-litre, 460bhp V8 engine mated to a robust 6-speed robotised manual gearbox. The Brembo carbon ceramic discs take care of braking performance, for a vehicle with a 302km/h top speed.
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I'm sure you are aware of Chinese automaker, Chery, who is perhaps well known for the QQ compact hatchback. Chery (and Chinese cars in general) are economical and provided adequate power for your basic commuting needs in decent comfort. But then again, styling was not the forte of Chinese cars and Chery is about to change that perception. Chery is embarking to design their own cars from now, and they have hired Turkish-born German automotive designer, Hakan Saracoglu, for the job. If the name doesn't ring a bell, maybe his portfolio will. 47-year old Hakan Saracoglu, previously worked at Ford for the Mondeo and Focus projects before moving on to a famed German marque
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KlearKarbon aims to utilise hydrogen cleaning technology for powertrains
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] KlearKarbon is a new start up and it -
30 premium pre-owned car dealers have been awarded the 'Premium Dealer 2012' award by sgCarMart - a first in its 8 year long history. The Premium Dealer award - while new - is only awarded to the top five percent of car dealers in Singapore among a healthy used automotive industry. The award is aimed to be a recognition for their excellent service and track records. The prestigious award is conferred based on a set of strict criteria. Besides a strong emphasis on working habits towards its clients and working partners - the car dealers must have been in this competitive industry no less than five years, while also cultivating high sales volumes. Abiding to the advertising standards and guidelines set by sgCarMart was also considered under the judging criteria. sgCarMart congratulates all 30 pre-owned car dealers for their excellently services rendered, and wishes them the best for their future endeavours. For more information on the award please visit: http://www.sgcarmart.com/ads/premium_dealers/index.php
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Lexus presented the all new IS, now in its third generation (I think) at the North American International Auto Show recently. Presenting an all new facia and aggressive styling, the IS from the start has been designed and engineered with one purpose in mind, to dethrone the BMW 3 Series as the best in its class. American automotive publication Motor Trend recently had a chance to talk to chief engineer of the IS, Junichi Furuyama, to explain why the new IS is important and how this might re-invent the Lexus brand.
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[extract] When I first read the headlines to this news, my initial reaction was
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Honda's premium arm - Acura presented its 2014 Acura MDX Prototype at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), offering a first glimpse of the styling direction for the third SUV which seats seven passengers to be launched by mid-2013 in either an all-wheel or front-wheel drive layouts. "Our goal is to advance on MDX's already great dynamic performance while improving fuel economy and luxury comfort. Building on the great momentum we established in 2012 with the launch this year of our flagship RLX, followed later this year by a terrific new luxury SUV in MDX we are very excited about the direction of the Acura brand. And we are truly looking forward to a great 2013," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of national marketing operations. Let's be honest its looks like a typical Honda with the corporate face of an Acura - so no surprises on the styling front though the eye-blinding Acura Jewel Eye LED lights adds a nice touch. The 2014 MDX Prototype is 38mm lower than the preceding model outgoing model but features a longer wheelbase for an enhanced ride quality, an increase in legroom in the second row - which in turn improves accessibility to the third row. In a bid to pacify the strong demand for the MDX, Acura will offer a front-wheel driven variant for 'warm weather markets' (UAE) on top of an all-wheel drive. Powering the MDX is an all new, 3.5-litre V6 engine and will be produced in Lincoln, Alabama. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, the MDX is built exclusively in North America.
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It was a long time coming, but after 22-years since the introduction of COE vehicle quota system, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has hinted the system might undergo a review amidst sharply rising COE prices. According to The Straits Times, one possible area industry players are hoping for change is the way cars are classified. Currently cars are classified under three categories: Category A is for cars up to 1,600cc, Category B for cars above 1,600cc and an open category. Mr Lui commented the Transport Ministry together with LTA are studying the several feedback provided by the public regarding the issue. Under numerous occasions the public have commented that car classification should be altered to be based on emissions levels or power output - even through sgCarMart
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Pizza's here usually gets delivered with Class 2b motorcycles though I have heard a well to-do individual uses his Mercedes. Order a hot pizza from Domino's in the town of Swindon, U.K. and you will be greeted by a delivery man in a Renault Twizy. Besides the standard Domino
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No idea if this guy was just stressed due to the pressure of the world ending, but one man in Australia apparently attacked an innocent motorist. The innocent victim of the road rage attack - which happened in Australia - was apparently an ex-police officer himself. Still when a man is determined to charge, throw you off the road and attack you at all cost, I'm sure you like the victim here will feel threatened.
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Spy shots of production ready - lesser camo'd 4 Series is out!
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The digital age and the internet it has brought with, is truly an amazing tool for auto fanatics like you and me but I miss the old days for some reason.. I remember the days when I'm back from school and I'll see the latest Autocar magazine on my desk - my only source at that time where I can get a glimpse of the latest scoops and little hints. I don't remember reading much 'leaked' news or spy shots back then. Till today nothing beats the feeling of an all new model that is released on print and I get to see it up close on the nicely minted glossy magazine. Yes, the internet is a lot faster and usually has a better colour reproduction than print but the 'excitement' level is surely different. Anyway coming back to what I initially wanted to talk about, spyshots of what seems to be a 90% production ready 4 series have made its way to the widest web of the world. While there is a substantial amount of camouflage present on the car, you get a good preview of what the production ready version would look like. It has a minimal resemblance to the 4 Series coupe concept that was unveiled weeks ago but it looks inline with the current 3 series just without the two rear doors. Picture Source: WorldCarFans, Google Images -
Lamborghini's Sesto Elemento gets wheeled in to a London showroom
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Remember the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento? The shark like looking track-only car that weighs 999kg and utilises acres of carbon fibre. Unlike other Lambo's which were named after famous fighting bulls, the Sesto Elemento is named after the Carbon atomic number six. With just 20 units to be produced, the Sesto Elemento will be produced early next year and will cost 'only' $2.2 million. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 capable of 562bhpand 540Nm of torque linked to a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission powering all four wheels. Recently one was being wheeled into a showroom in London and the extremely low car had difficulties getting unloaded from the delivery truck, it might have shaved a little of the carbon body just before being pushed into the showroom.
