Interestingly, for the European market, the Colt is offered in an automatic option named Allshift which is an automated manual gearbox, much like the one found in the smart forfour. Imported Colts from Japan for the Malaysian market, being the Colt 1.5 and Colt Turbo Ralliart, are all Invecs-III CVT equipped.
Many people who have seen the new C-Class in the metal overseas have commended Mercedes-Benz for a job well done for the W204 looked upmarketly handsome, better than the printed or online images. The fresh lines and creases (especially the rising slant at the flanks plus lower chromed strips) are pleasantly reminiscent of the S-Class. Meanwhile, the new C�s rear end which we at autocarsp thought was design-frozen in early 2000s (somewhat like a scaled down W211 E�s butt) didn�t turn out to be as �recycled� as it looked initially.
autocarsp have its correspondent, Peter Lee in Bangkok to check out one of the first few right-hand drive W204s to be available in South East Asia, or Asia for that matter.
Just yesterday, I had the rare opportunity to view the new C-Class Avantgarde in the flesh (metal) at the Central World Plaza in Bangkok. This is the earliest unit in Thailand, imported and marketed by a grey importer here. I can only make comments regarding the visual aspects of the car since I did not have a chance to test drive this spanking new junior executive from Mercedes-Benz.
In 1967, Mazda�s first vehicle powered by a rotary engine, the Cosmo Sport (known as the 110S overseas) was introdiced to the world. Since then, Mazda has preservered to make and sell various rotary engine-powered cars, most notably the Familia Rotary Coupe (known as the R100 overseas), the Savanna (RX-3), RX-7, and Eunos Cosmo. Currently, Mazda is working on technical improvements in fuel economy and environmental performance for its rotary engines. Mazda also intends to advance the potential of the hydrogen rotary engine as part of its long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which was announced in March 2007.
Click on image to enlarge
Mazda Motor Corp. has revealed a teaser image of its all-new Mazda6 (known as the Mazda Atenza in Japan) ahead of the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Its underpinnings is shared with the new Ford Mondeo and S-MAX.
Engine range is expected to be carried over from the last model, with possibly some power/torque hike and better efficiency. This new 6 replacement model will go on sale as early as November in Europe. Will we get to see this handsome mid-size executive sedan in Malaysia by H1 2008?
Since 1997 some ten million auto enthusiasts have visited the continually updated BRABUS website. Now a completely redesigned website goes online at http://www.brabus.com/. Users can find loads of interesting information on BRABUS, its 30-year history and the extensive BRABUS product lineup. An interactive virtual tour also offers glimpses behind the scenes of the dream factory in Bottrop.
Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has introduced the latest Lancer model for the Malaysian market last night. For a start, the 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer is only available in one form - the 2.0 GT. The more wicked Evolution X version will likely make in to our shores in 2008, as with the other markets worldwide.
The new Lancer�s 2.0L 4-pot (codenamed 4B11) churns out 155PS at 6000rpm and 199Nm of torque at 4250rpm. Torque is transferred to the front wheels via Mitsubishi�s INVECS-III CVT transmission. Incidentally, this is the 2nd officially-marketed make in Malaysia to have a CVT �box. Other models like the Toyota Yaris and the new Nissan Latio have been down-modded to run with regular 4-speed torque converters in Malaysia. Bravo MMM!
There is a pair of steering-mounted magnesium paddle shifters, should you want to overide automatic settings and sample 6 virtual gears manually. Large and cool-looking 18 inch alloy wheels are suspended by MacPherson struts up front and multilink set-up at the rear.
As with most 2.0L cars these days, automatic climate control aircon is standard for the Lancer 2.0GT. Premium quality Nappa leather seats are a first in class, quite surprising even for a full Japan CBU unit. Safety features include dual SRS airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Boot opening is via a boot lid release button on the remote control fob or the internal boot release lever since there is no external handle/latch or key hole. Capacity is a fairly generous 400litre, with both rear wheels' hump intrusions being a volume limiting factor. However, the external "scissor" hinges set-up is both wise and space saving.
The all-new Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0 GT is available in four colours: Red Metallic, Cool Silver Metallic, Medium Purplish Gray Mica and Black Mica. MMM tags every Lancer 2.0GT sold with a 5-year or 100,000km warranty, plus free maintenance for the first 3 years or 50,000km. If that�s not attractive enough, the on-the-road price of RM115,980 (with insurance) will likely swing quite a number of buyers� final decisions towards this tri-diamond C-segment sedan.
Related post:
http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/07/2007-mitsubishi-lancer-launching-soon.html
You may want to check these out:
http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/04/2008-all-new-mitsubishi-evolution-x.html
http://autocarsp.blogspot.com/2007/07/mitsubishi-evolution-xs-twin-clutch-sst.html
While understandably sleeker and more up-to-date than the older Spectra 1.6 (pictured below), it is still somewhat baffling as to why the hatch is picked over the booted Spectra, as seen in the last image.
