Formula E Coming to Putrajaya : Giant RC Noise (Video)

There's new Formula racing series in town, and it consumes no fuel, and it is coming to Malaysia. To be specific, Putrajaya has been chosen as one the venue, set to host a second round of Formula E Championship in October 2014. It will be road circuit, design around Putrajaya although details are scarce the moment.

Formula E is the new racing series under FIA. The design guideline is highly regulated although manufacturer are encourage to come up with the own design. Many items are standardize, while other are constraint (for example maximum power and top speed). Tyres will be an all-season, eliminating the use of dry and wet weather tyres. Vehicles aerodynamics are specially crafted to aid overtaking, preventing another slipstream-limited not unlike the Formula One cars. All electric powertrain is set to give it a new breed of racing sound. Listen to the video below and judge for yourself. I feel it sound like an RC car, albeit in gigantic scale.

At the moment there are already 4 teams registered namely Drayson Racing, China Racing, Andretti Autosport and Dragon Racing. The calendar will consist of 10 rounds and Malaysia, as mentioned earlier is second is the series.

Those with technical insight, below is the technical specification of the car, extracted from FIA website. Read more after the jump.

Spot: Mazda6 Now Features Trunk Lid Lip Spoiler

It is transporter snapping activity lately. I snapped a Mazda transporter shifting mostly Mazda CX-5. But there is a sole Mazda6 on the top deck. Look closely and you'll see there is something on the trunk lid. It is a lip spoiler, something which was not there on the previously delivered Mazda6. Read MMN article about how Mazda6 drive HERE. If this batch really come with the lip spoiler then the early owner would be pissed off!

Spot : New Color For Proton Preve?

There could be new color scheme coming for Proton Preve, and it is not in the Proton Edar website just yet. On the way to work on recent morning, I came across a transporter with a bunch of Proton Suprima S, accompanied by one peculiar looking Proton Preve. It is in shade that is unseen before, a very light purple, baby purple I would say. It is a Preve Executive variant. Apart from the new color, the rest are the same. A few photos can be seen after the jump, snapped at SKVE highway.

BMW M3 & M4 - Juicy Technical Details Announced

BMW has announced the much awaited details of its forthcoming M-car, the M3 and M4. Originated as an M3, the model has to be split due to BMW new naming convention which segregate the 4 door and 2 door coupe version with different numerics. We already know how BMW 3 Series sedan and 4 Series coupe look like (refer to the BMW M4 Concept above) so let's just dwell on the technological grand force of the new M cars.

In powertrain department, the previous M3 is powered by S65 engine which displaces 3,999cc and kicks out 414hp at dizzying 8,300rpm and 400Nm@3,900rpm, breathing a naturally-aspirated system. The V8 mill is capable of thrusting the M3 to century sprint in 4 seconds flat. Moving on to the next stage, BMW is banking their M3/M4 with new S55B30. Apart from displacing less at 3.0L, and reverting back to venerable straight-six configuration, the new lump features twin turbocharger to boost the power to 430hp and pulling out more than 500Nm. Consistent with the force-fed nature, the power and torque is maintain over a fat range.

S55B30 engine adopt close deck engine architecture for an increase in rigidity accommodating the high cylinder pressure resulted from a boosted engine. Cylinder walls features twin-wire arc spray coating instead of conventional liners. The cranktrain system is also lightened to reduce the rotating mass and thus enhance engine responsiveness. The crankshaft is a forged unit which blend ultra rigidity and allow optimization in rotating mass and the conrod has been suitably beefed up too.

The new BMW M3 and M4 will features a host of weight saving technology, in pursuit of less than 1,500kg of kerb weight. This include carbon fibre roof and carbon fibre propeller shaft. The body panels too is subject to weight diet exercise. The lighter roof (which also reduce the weight away from the C.o.G) is further supported by CFRP trunk lid panel. The weight saving activity extends to suspension system too, whereby the control arm, wheel carrier and axle subframe are made of aluminum. Overall weight reduction from existing car is around 80kg.

The increase in power and the reduction in weight will gives higher power density. Apart from fulfilling the handling mantra of an M-car with improved steering precision, on-limit adjustability, enhanced agility and outstanding directional stability, the new BMW M3/M4 is supplied with track-ready cooling system and oil supply system. The thermal management will ensure optimal cooling whether you are blasting around the track or trundling around the city, and this include indirect intercooler to cool the intake air, additional radiators from high and low temperature water circuit, turbocharger and engine oil. Additional electric coolant pump cools the turbo bearing when car is stationary.

The oil system features the sump made of magnesium with special baffle plate to contain the oil under strong 'g'. Also designed for an extreme dynamic envelope is the oil extraction pump and oil return system to maintain an uninterrupted oil circulation.

BMW M3 and M4 comes in two transmission of choice. The first up is the 6 speed manual box. Innovation surrounding it include carbon friction lining in syncroniser rings, dry sump lubrication and have throttle blips control function. The gearbox is not only more compact, but also 12kg lighter then the existing unit. The second option is M Dual Clutch transmission with 7 forward ratios and comes with Launch Control. It is claimed to have an ultra fast gearchange that minimise power interruption. Another system making an appearance is the Active M Differentials. It uses an electric actuator to vary the locking effect in real time continuously.

Pheww. More salivating photos can be found after the jump which detailed out the engine and chassis components. 

Nissan Grand Livina Facelift Launch

Nissan Grand Livina is a very popular MPV in Malaysia, so popular that it obtain the best selling non-national MPV. On this side of Perodua Alza/Proton Exora pricing, Nissan Grand Livina has been a default choice among the Malaysian family. Originally introduced in 2007, this is the second facelift which will extend its 6-year old into newer era with bold new front and rear design which bears no passing resemblance to the outgoing model.

Changes are extensive. Front end is totally new, it ditches the old look and in comes the new Nissan's corporate face that is more modern. The headlight, grille, hood, bumper and fender are all new. The grille is far classier than the rudimentary item on the old version. The rear end is similarly updated too, with redesigned tailgate, bumper and the rear light cluster is now bigger and it extends into the tailgate panel.

The interior makeover is more subtle, and Nissan concentrates more on the trimmings instead of design change. Basic dashboard architecture is retained, however, the color scheme has been changed from all-black affair to two-tone arrangement with black upper section and beige lower section for an added perceived space. The seats are upholstered in beige. The center console is now brightly painted, and the 1.8L variant gains wood trimming. The sense of opulence is further supplied by Nissan Sylphy derived steering wheel (new design) and stylish Fine Vision meter cluster make an appearance.  

Other than that, it is the Nissan Grand Livina that we used to know. This include the spacious cabin that accomodates 7 and the driving position is car-like (it is build on Latio platform which has MPV-like driving height) and it has numerous loading flexibility thanks to the split-folding second row seat. There's also second row aircond duct for an added comfort.

Powertrain unit is carried over wholesomely from the outgoing Grand Livina. This means that there are two engine option available; MR18DE 1,798cc (126PS,174Nm) paired with 4 speed automatic gearbox and HR16DE 1,598cc (105PS, 150Nm) driving via either 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic. Chassis mechanicals are McPhersons strut at the front coupled with torsion beam setup at the back, with the stopping hardware provided by ventilated disc/drum combo (ABS, EBD and BA standard on all variant).

Beyond the drivetrain and updated outlook, Nissan has also take the opportunity in this round of facelift to update the safety front with the inclusion of seat-belt pretension and load limiter. Also thrown in for the 1.8L version is the i-Key system which essentially is the keyless entry with twist switch starter system.

As for the pricing, the entry level 1.6L MT is pitched at RM86,880, 1.6AT at RM89,880 and the range topper 1.8L AT at RM99,880. As with the Nissan Almera, Nissan has opened up plenty of chance for customization with the Navi, Luxury, Family and Impul package. Detail description of each package is as below:

Navi Package (RM4,000 for 1.6L, RM3,700 for 1.8L)

Consist of: 6.5' Multimedia Navigation (with DVD player,iPod, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity and also rear view camera, 10.1' roof mounted LCD panel. 

Luxury Package (RM3,800 for 1.6L, RM3,500 for 1.8L)

Consist of: Leather upholstery for seat and door trim, window tinting (Solar Guard, with V-Kool Elite available for an additional RM1,500, LED stainless steel kick plates and door visors.

Family Package (RM7,000 for 1.6L, RM6,700 for 1.8L)

Combination of Navi and Luxury package.

Impul Package:

Consist of:

• Impul Complete Aerokit: RM3,500 (with 50% launch promotion discount)

• Impul Sports Suspension: RM2,800

• Impul Blast 2 Exhaust Muffler: RM1,800

• 17' Impul Aura SX-20 alloy rims set: RM4,500

• Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional Set : RM1,800

Small gallery can be found after the jump.