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
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
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
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!
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
Launched in November 2007 in Thailand, the GEN2 was finally unveiled in KL today. Packed with many upgrades and fixes based on the feedback from previous GEN2 owners, the new hatchback now is much better in terms of power and comfort. So what is the difference between the previous and this new GEN2? Let’s find out together.
ENGINE
The mother of all upgrades is the Campro engine. Unlike before, the GEN2 now is available in 1.6L engines with 2 options - with CPS (Cam Profiling System) or with IAFM ( Intake Air-Fuel Manifold). The former was fitted in the new Proton Saga and was proven to be very powerful and fuel efficient. The CPS in the Campro engine apparently completes Proton’s years of research in developing its own engine, and will be the ultimate engine to be used in Proton’s future models.
The CPS solved the big ‘hole’ in the torque curve of the Campro engine that it suffered since the debut of the GEN2 about 3 years ago. It gives better pick up during city driving. Smoother gear change especially for the automatic tranny; no more useless ’searching’ for the right gears at different speeds. Overtaking will be easier when flooring the pedal for power on demand. Cruising on highways would be a breeze too.
In technical terms, the CPS engine gives 15 more horses at 125hp, compared to previous at 110hp. Torque is improved from 149Nm/rpm to 150Nm/rpm. Say bye bye to low-end speed lagging! 
INTERIOR
The dashboard and upholstery are themed in black with red strips. Starting from the meter display, it now features a multi-function digital display that features an integrated clock, odometer, tripmeter, DTE (distance to empty) readings, AFC (average fuel consumption) meter and journey time. All these are displayed one at a time and is flipped via pressing the knob. This has already been fitted in the Proton Persona and is now available for the GEN2.
The steering wheel is wrapped with leather, with black colour on the top half and red on the lower hemisphere. Quite sporty feeling when I grip it though.
The dashboard is all-black but centered with a dark grey console where the unsightly clock is no longer there. Gear stick (for manual tranny) is shorter than the Persona and it gives the driver the short-shifting feeling when engaging/disengaging gears. The ball of my hand fits snugly onto the knob too.
Ah, yes, the dashboard is FINALLY fitted with a glove box! Nothing to shout about on the litres it is able to contain but at least the basic feature of a car with a glovebox is met. Again, it uses the same as the Persona’s. Of course, air bags were at its usual places - single airbag for driver in the medium line variant, and dual air bags for the high line.
The seats at the rear are foldable for added boot space when necessary.
EXTERIOR
The new GEN2 comes with new bumpers and bigger air vents in the center for better engine cooling. The headlamps are more sporty with black bezels for that meaner look. The wheels are 15″ alloy rims with Silverstone rubbers, rear and side skirts, side sills and a new rear spoiler are the few enhancements featured.
SAFETY
The High line variants is fitted with anti-lock braking system (ABS) with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution, dual air bags and seatbelt pre-tensioners.
The new GEN2 is the sporty version of the Persona and is targeted to the younger drivers in the market. According to Proton’s MD at the launch, the GEN2 is targeted to produce at 2,000 units per month. It is available in 4 colours -Nanbu, Hibiscus, Iridescent white and Metal grey.
Here is a video of the new GEN2 CPS :
The price?High line 1.6L (CPS) - RM60,488 (auto) and RM57,488 (manual)
Medium line 1.6L (IAFM) - RM56,488 (auto) and RM53,488 (manual)The new GEN2 is available at your nearest showrooms from 5th March 2008 onwards. A test drive report will be featured soon. Stay tuned to Andymervingeorge.com to find out! 
The Amazing Race Asia top 3 winners were called in by Caltex to lend a helping hand all in the name of charity. The teams were at a Caltex kiosk in Lorong Chuan, Singapore to do their bit of charity by washing cars for the public, and raise funds for the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) in Singapore.
Our hot Chong sisters - (L) Pamela and Vanessa. (Pic by Azfar)
I haven’t been testing SUVs for months now. The last was a 2007 KIA Sportage when I took it for a KL-Penang-KL trip. The test drive report of the Sportage will appear soon but for now let’s boast about a Japanese-made SUV called the Mazda CX-7.
And you think its an RX-8??
Mitsubishi Motors will reveal the Prototype-S sport hatchback concept come
A concept family sports hatchback
My first test drive on a very low car, the Mazda MX-5 Roadster is something worth lauding for. I still cannot believe that the car was able contain a six-footer me into its seat during the test drive a week ago. Brought in by Naza World, the Roadster is a classic 2-door street sports car that is able to charge up your adrenalin when you need it. The car is no stranger to the Malaysian market as it made it’s debut about 15 years ago with its infamous retractable headlights. It was the second-generation of the MX-5, also known as Miata in North America, that had the Malaysian public at awe of its convertible roof.
Born for the road
