Proton P3-22A Preve Hatchback Spied En-Route Genting

A video of black Proton P3-22A Preve Hatchback was uploaded into youtube by user Ernest Kok. It is a short video and it reveals no new things, but it is the upcoming Proton nevertheless. Enjoy the video below:

On a different note, have any of you take a look at the Proton Preve forum in lowyat.net? It is surprising to see that this new national car carries a lot of problem, even an absurd things like a smelly aircond. Check it out HERE. Is this all true? 

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Aston Martin Rapide S - Facelift, 550HP

Aston Martin has introduced a mid-life update to the Rapide model which was originally introduced to the world market in 2010. The 2013 update consist of an exterior makeover, redeveloped powertrain, retuned suspension, re-trimmed interior and received a new moniker too, now called Rapide S.

Up front, the car received a new front fascia design, prominently differentiated from the old by the new, larger grille. The new grille is as large as the older car upper and lower grille combined, and the lower sill follows the same design trend as the new DB9.

The change was not purely aesthetic; instead it has achieved compliance with the latest European pedestrian protection regulations. The patent-pending design – which features a unique ‘keystone’ construction – enables the grille to move rearwards on impact, whilst the central and outboard chin stiffeners give rigidity to the lower structure and support achievement of the leg impact regulations. Cut-outs on the front wing catwalks contribute to the achievement of the headform regulation.

The solution means Aston Martin can remain true to its design ethos, and avoid the use of plastic grilles and nose cone bumpers that stretch up in front of the bonnet.

The redesigned front end is matched at the back by a striking new rear deck profile which includes a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. The aerodynamic and aesthetic upgrades both reinforce the sporting nature of new Rapide S and work to counteract lift at higher speeds.

The interior is enhanced with the new piano black interior pack that adds a deep, rich, mirror-like shine to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles of the Rapide S. A darker surround in the instrument binnacle and steering wheel with black horn-push surround round off the pack’s sumptuous additions. Luxurious blend headlinings in either tan or grey emphasise the luxury still further inside. More details and photos can be found after the jump.

McLaren P1 Underbody - Full Blast Aero-Effect

McLaren showcased its forthcoming P1 hypercar to a bunch of potential client at an event nearby McLaren Beverly Hills. The car was air-lifted from the truck into the SLS Hotel, raising a rare chance to see the underbody of the acclaimed hypercar.

Thanks to the photographer Dirk A at Supercarfocus, we can really see the F1-inspired flat underbody, finished off with an intricately designer rear diffuser. The diffuser is not the sole aerodynamic feature on the car, as various other passive and active devices are expected to make an appearance too. One of them is the rumoured active front flaps and the some compressors to push the air towards certain areas of the body.

McLaren will officially debut in March at Geneva Motorshow, where its interior and gasoline engine with KERS assistance will be fully revealed. Read our previous article on McLaren P1 HERE.

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Development of Children-Friendly Vehicle

How many of us get pissed off when our kids stained the interior of our "reasonably-priced" car, thanks to the beige interior for some pseudo-luxury ambiance? Or you can see the vomit just disappear into the seat fabric? Or the toy's sharp edge tear out the stitching and scratch the plastic trim part?

Luckily car maker nowadays are a bit clever. The seat fabric are now water repellent, and it is rare to find to an RM50k (read family-bound car) to be trimmed in light hue. The plastic trim too can be made sturdier, more resistant to scratch by cleverer texturing.

Ford too is up for the game. After being an innovative player by totally eliminating the B-pillar for an ease of entry (read HERE), it is apparent the Ford B-MAX has been designed with kids in mind too. Ford has now tried to make that job easier for mums and dads by “child-proofing” the new B-MAX.

Engineers subjected the new B-MAX to laboratory tests that simulate the toughest treatment that children and pets can dish out, including soaking materials in milk and fizzy drinks; testing fabrics with a “mace”; and pounding plastics with a heavy rubber ball.

Samples of all leathers and fabrics used in the Ford B-MAX’s interior were tested for stain resistance and ease of cleaning after being soaked for 24 hours in the liquids and being smeared with soil and grease.

Engineers also tested resistance to damage that can be caused by abrasive zips and fasteners found on children’s clothing and bags. The “mace test” used a metal ball with needle-sharp spikes to brush fabrics 600 times and replicate the effect of snagging zips and studs. Engineers also carried out a special test to repeatedly rub the seat material with Velcro.

Impact tests – conducted at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Centigrade when plastic is more brittle – used a rubber ball 10 times heavier than a regulation football to ensure that plastic parts could withstand bumps and knocks. Fabrics were also rubbed 60,000 times in a 17-hour non-stop wear test; metal spikes were scraped across plastic parts to test scratch resistance; and carpets were checked for durability on a special test rig fitted with rough abrasion wheels.

Is the car in our market up to this standard yet? Let's make something simpler first, like ensuring there is sufficient cupholder for the rear passenger, not by hiding them inside the rear armrest which eliminate the cupholder itself when there is a third occupant in the rear seat.

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Proton Past Patents - MSX, Sepang & NEF

It's Sunday night, and instead of chilling to perfection, yours truly was surfing the patent website in pursuit of several patent for work purposes. Lifeless isn't it? Anyway, in the middle of boredom I remembered of several Proton patent that rocked the internet back in 2004-2005. There are many more, including the main and component of Proton Satria Neo (SRM back then), Savvy (TRM during its inception), as well Exora. Some are patented in Korean patent website too. Anyway, instead of looking at what you can find on the road, lets look at something you either can't see, or worst still, seen as something else.

First up is the NEF engine, a V6 engine family that is listed USD597104, showcasing the aesthetic of the engine. Paultan did some coverage on this engine HERE, the range comprises of a modular 2.2L and 3.0L Supercharged V6 mill kicking some 300bhp@6,250rpm and 360Nm@4,500rpm for the latter. It was tested in Waja prototype sometimes back. It was fitted to the Proton MSX concept (world knew it as Lotus APX). Do you that Proton MSX, thanks to its all aluminium construction (VVA platform, an advanced hybrid of cast, extrusion and stamped aluminium hold together with a combination of rivet and adhesive) weights mere 1.5 tonne and projected to reach 270 km/h top speed? Porsche Cayenne surely can't run too far from this car if it is ever made.

RFOB View of Proton's V6 engine

This patent covers only the outlook. The technical innovations were not included. We can see from here the engine RFOB with its transmission fixing, FFOB with all the front end auxillary and side view exposing the placement of cylinder block, front cover, bedplate and oil sump, including the accessories too such as the oil cooler and things.

Side view, you can see the arrangement from oil sump upwards

Next up is the car that was fitted with the NEF engine. It is none other than Proton MSX, published in USD566619. To prove that this car is meant to be Proton instead of Lotus APX (oh well, as if the Waja side-mirror was not obvious of a clue), the aesthetic patented here bears the Proton logo elongated outline instead of Lotus circular item. After these years, it still look stunning. There was MMN old article about Proton MSX HERE, but as I worked a bit on this car so I don't dare to say much. More after the jump.