Essential Motoring 101

America is home to all kinds of pick-up trucks ever since Ford started the rush back in the 1900s. To date, almost every family in the States owns or had owned a truck in a household. But, this year have seen a slump in ownership of such amphibious machines in that country. February and March recorded the sales volume of the pick-up truck segment come to a dwindling 10% compared to last year based on a report from Pickuptruck.com.

Will the newDodge’s Ram 1500 survive the stormy US automotive scene?

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Here’s a story of my first love when I got my first job as a salesperson in a company in Puchong. Since I stay in Cheras, travelling daily on bike to Puchong would break my back and numb the balls. I used to own a Suzuki VS125 scooter back in highschool and had sold it in 2003 when I got the job. It sure did served me well since 1996, when I was in Form 4.

I needed a car that was spacious, cheap and used. Not that I have huge cargos to carry but simply about the love for roomy cabins. Back in uni, I had already been drooling at the Nissan AD Resort stationwagon appeared in a local magazine called Kereta. This particular wagon had its suspension system modified to hop and dance! With randy colours and the neat interiors, I fell head over heels at the car.

In December 2003, I quickly grabbed a used unit from a car dealer in Cheras and the rest, as they say, was history.

My special edition Nissan AD Resort in full regalia

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During a recent trip to Bangkok, I achieved a few firsts. It was my first time in Bangkok and first time attending such a large motorshow (Bangkok Motor Show). Had always wanted to visit Bangkok since 2 years ago and now it has been realised.

The motoring trend in Bangkok itself have advanced much ahead compared to that of KL’s. One obvious reason is the vast usage of pick-up trucks in and out of Bangkok city and, in terms of fuel choice, they have started using natural gas besides the regular petrol or diesel. The Thai government has been very supportive in what the car manufacturers offer to its people and its efforts to spread the ‘green way’ of driving.

Fugly but it saves Mother Earth

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There has been lots of talk in town on the next new model by Proton. As revealed by Proton’s MD, the MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) will be hitting our roads early next year. According to sources, the MPV may be launched earlier (possibly before Hari Raya), as an effort to capitalise on the current hype created by the new Saga and PersonaSales on the new Saga is still soaring with total units booked are in 5 digits.

Thanks to Josh, here are some pics for you to have a glimpse of the Proton MPV’s possible design. The MPV may look like the Mazda8 with a Proton emblem slapped on, but I think it is worth our imagination.

The actual name of the MPV is unknown, even the codename of the MPV is unheard yet. The engine for the MPV must be of the Campro family and should offer between 1.8-liters  to 2.0-liters.

My say would be that Proton should offer a Campro 1.8L diesel engine, besides the usual petrol motor. Of course, the CPS (Cam Profiling System) and perhaps the VIM (Variable Intake Manifold) would not be a question at all when the MPV arrives.

Price should be attractive (isn’t this Proton’s strength?) and should give the Nissan Grand Livina and Toyota Innova a good fight on our wallets and, heck, the RM149,000 Honda Stream as well.

Proton must take advantage of this year’s Hari Raya if they want to have the first bite on the MPV pie. Hari Raya is where everyone goes back to their hometowns or kampung and there will be lots of travelling to do. The MPV would fit the bill for such festival.

Source : CarStudio / Josh Actually.

Honda has been in the forefront in producing cars that are very fuel efficient and has never fail to give out the ‘wow’ factor to its customers. Their latest offering, the Stream MPV and the CR-V, are great examples of how Honda was committed in producing cars using utmost innovation and design sophistication. Soon, it will be worth rejoicing as Honda’s most renowned and best-selling car model, the Accord, will be gracing our local showrooms. Are you excited yet??

Straight, boxy lines are definitely here to stay!

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Introducing the all-new Toyota Corolla Altis, or the Altis as we all fondly know, after 7 years of ’silence’. UMW Toyota, the assembler and distributor of Toyota cars in Malaysia had officially launched the car yesterday, re-introducing the Altis that now boasts sleeker looks and spatial enhancements albeit using the same engine as its predecessor. More on the engine later.

The new Altis after 7 years of design hiatus

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During the morning rush hour yesterday, a terrible crash involving more than 200 cars occurred in the 25km stretch of Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot. The massive car pile-up was due to heavy fog lingering in the air. There were up to 25 cars in arson, leaving a death toll at least 6 persons so far and hundreds injured in what is known to be the country’s biggest vehicle crash in history.

Waking up to a whole new twisted world of metal

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Car makers these days have gone back to the early days of design where boxy and angular lines were eminent on cars back then. Many of the latest concept vehicles showcased in the recent Geneva Motor Show have also been inspired by the shape of a box. It is not so much of the shape the car but its about the type of fuel that the engine of the car uses in view of the growing concerns of environmental degradation. But that is another story altogether.

Not just a simple looking MPV

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When we set our eyes (and hearts) into something we love, we would do anything to get it and at any cost. The same attitude for the guy who splurged about RM55,000 just to proposed to his girlfriend on Valentines day last month. Was it a waste of money or a symbol of everlasting love? You decide.

Even the price of the car itself is no match to that of the license plate!

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Some people in a Canadian farm can have too much time to waste but this particular farmer had put the free time he has into good use. Enter the ultimate offroad monster courtesy of the uncle with a beard who apparently hosts in a comedy show called the The Red Green Show. No, he is no Santa Clause (although lives in the same northern hemisphere of Earth) but the man is Red Green himself.

Let’s see… how do I turn left… :P 

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