Honda launched Honda Jazz Hybrid CKD & announced R&D Center

Honda has launched the CKD operation for its Jazz Hybrid model, making it the only locally manufactured hybrid car in Malaysia. Currently, Honda Jazz Hybrid is fully imported and enjoys tax exemption hence making it locally, in theory, will results in no cost reduction. However, Honda has thrown in some RM4,900 price reduction, courtesy of some realignment in the specification.

The CBU version of Honda Jazz Hybrid is the EU spec, thus has a left-mounted signal stalks. This is among the changed item, the signal is now on the right, as per most of the Japanese cars. Other realignment include dual airbags (down from 6 airbags), rear drum brakes instead of solid disc, no jack-knife key, re-labelled fuel meter and the deletion of hill start assist, cruise control, auto wipers, paddle shift and steering wheel mounted audio control. Together with 10% localized part, these are parts that contribute to the slight cost savings.

Otherwise, Honda Jazz Hybrid remain similar to the imported model. It is powered by the 1,339cc gasoline engine hooked to Honda's IMA system. The petrol mill produced 88PS and 121Nm while the electric drive contributed further 14PS and 78Nm.

The Alor Gajah assembled Honda Jazz Hybrid is priced at RM89,900. Apart from the slightly reduced price, and the quite sum of reduced equipment, the color variation has been revised too. While the CBU is flourished with the striking Fresh Lime Metallic and Milano Red, these two shades made way for Sparkling Brown Metallic and Polished Metal Metallic in addition to the usual Tafetta White, Crystal Black Pearl and Alabaster Silver which are the usual Honda paint option in Malaysia across all of their models.

Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia also announced its intention to setup R&D Center in Malaysia next month. This is to complement the Thailand R&D Center and will concentrate in developing the parts for Honda cars more suited to the local flavor. Currently, for certain parts, Honda has to pick and match between all the globally available variant in order to create the local specification. Thus, with proper design and development engineer on-site, the development of the new components will be much easier. Just ask any experienced Proton and Perodua engineers!

Many media quoted the R&D Center will be located adjacent to its Melaka assembly plant. However, according to those who has attended the interview (yes people there were job opening recently for Honda R&D Malaysia) the office could be setup in Sungai Buloh. While we are not certain about the location, but we knew they were looking for Japanese-speaking personnel to handle the R&D transition from Japan to Malaysia. 

So for the Proton and Perodua runaways (I know many of you want to run) this is your chance. For the automotive engineering guys in the oil and gas company here (no matter how weird it sound, and I know all of you don't want to run away), this also could be your chance as a fresh alternative which did not exist previously!

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Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid now in Malaysia

Volkswagen Malaysia has introduced the Hybrid version of its SUV Touareg to our market. Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid is powered any a petrol engine displacing 3.0L supplemented by a supercharger producing 328hp@5,500-6,500rpm of power and 440Nm of torque from as lowly 3,000rpm. The gasoline lump is augmented by the electric motor kicking some 45hp. Total power and torque output is 375hp and 580Nm, sufficient to propel the 2.3 tonnes SUV to 100km/h in 6.5s and giving it 240 km/h of top speed. Drive is channelled via 8 speed automatic gearbox.

Malaysian-bound car features Vienna leather upholstery, 19 inch Salamanca alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, audio system with 60GB harddisk and 10 speaker setup. The  price set for this model is RM616,888.

Honda Jazz Hybrid landed in Malaysian shore

After being spied a few times at the port and on the truck in striking fluorescent green color, the hybrid version of the Honda Jazz has finally been launched in Malaysia market. In today's event at FRIM, Honda Malaysia has also officially announced the price of the car, RM94,800. This puts the Jazz Hybrid not only as the cheapest Honda's hybrid in Malaysia, but it also undercuts the recently introduced Toyota Prius C, which tipped at RM97,000.

Honda Jazz Hybrid is powered by the LDA-MF6 IMA engine which is shared with the Honda Insight. The 1,339cc with IMA produced a combined 88PS@5800rpm and 121Nm of torque at 4500rpm. The claimed fuel consumption is 21.3 km/L in the European test cycle condition. The drive is channelled via the CVT gearbox with ratios that varies from 4.510 to 1.692.

Despite the added constraint in packaging the battery systems for the hybrid systems, the 3,900mm long Honda Jazz has lost none of its practicality. Boot space remains 300L and the Magic Seat folding mechanism is still there. The only change is the spare tyres, which its housing has been filled with the Intelligent Power Unit. More after the jump.

Honda Malaysia launched the updated Insight

Honda Malaysia has brought in the updated Honda Insight to Malaysian shore. The car actually is not new, as it has been launched in Frankfurt Motorshow back in September 2011. MMN has covered the news before, head HERE. 

In a nutshell, the 2012 revision brought in a reduction in CO2 emission to 96 g/km through some internal friction reduction, 2% reduction is aerodynamic drag and slightly improved fuel mileage. Styling updates includes  a blue tinted headlamps to perhaps further accentuate its environmental credentials. The grille and front lips has been sharpened up. At the back, the spoiler has been revised to enhance visibility and the tailgate garnish has been re-colored as grey as opposed to body color. The NVH has improved by the adding of more noise insulator, while the cabin volume has been improved by re sculptured rear seats that brings in 15mm more rear head room.

The updated Honda Insight is still priced at RM99,800 and still powered by the Hybrid IMA paired to 1.3L engine. The larger 1.5L hybrid powering the Insight Executive is not yet offered in Malaysia. For greater details about the enhanced Insight, head to Honda Malaysia website.

2013 Lexus RX gains spindle grille & F Sport version

Lexus will updated the its luxury SUV, depicted by the leak brochure here whereby the RX range with the new corporate spindle grille, as well as adding an F Sport version for a sportier ride, handling-wise as well as aesthetic-wise. At the front, the facelifted RX features a spindle grille outline - consistent with the rest of newer Lexus range, an LED DRL in the headlamps and also sporting a new design front bumper.

The changes at the back are more subtle, with the rear bumper retained its service for the second half of the RX life cycle. Meanwhile, the rear light graphic has been updated with more red elements in the lens.It can be seen in the leaked scanned brochure below.

Lexus will also update the interior of the RX, which is one of the first Lexus model to break free from the Toyota corporate parts bin with its distinctive Instrument Panel layout and design. Apart from the new color scheme for the cabin, Lexus also will be offering for the first time a rear seat entertainment systems. 

Not unlike the recently introduced GS model, the RX model also will be offered with the F Sport version. In the same mould as the BMW's M Sport in-house tuning, the F Sport will be offered with a host of chassis and styling tweaks to enhance its sport appeal. This option is offered on RX350 and RX450h, where the entry-level RX270 is left out for the moment. Buying an F Sport trim will give buyers a honeycomb mesh inserts in the front bumper, tinted lighting, all around skirting, larger alloys and an interior enhancement including sports seat, steering wheel and alloy pedal. The interior color also is very likely to be a sport-tuned dark environment for some serious dose of adrenalin.

The official debut of the facelifted RX is expected to happen soon. One more photo after the jump.

Toyota Aqua Hybrid - 40km/litre little hatch

Toyota Motor has announced their latest hybrid car, the Toyota Aqua, previously known as Prius C covered in previous posting here. The Aqua name is for JDM only, while the rest of the world will know the car in in its previous name, i.e Prius C to draw a family relationship with Prius and Prius V as the Toyota hybrid-only product line-up. The car will be available from December 2011 in Japanese market. The small hatchback measures only 3,995mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,445mm tall, and rides on a wheelbase of 2,550mm. 

The 5-seater hatchback is powered by 1.5l gasoline engine hooked to THS-II, Toyota hybrid drive system. Under the Japanese test cycle of JC08, the Aqua will return 35km/l, while in 10.15 mode, it returns a staggering 40km/l. The new hybrid powertrain is 40kg lighter than the unit in Prius.

Despite the compact footprint and Yaris-level if wheelbase, the Aqua hatchback the rear legroom is comparable to Toyota Corolla, while the luggage space is equivalent to the Toyota Auris, basically a Corolla hatchback.

The Aqua hybrid gets an well-honed exterior design cue to optimize aerodynamics. For instance, a spats in fitted in front of the the tyres, fixed to the car floor. This is to prevent a pressure build-up when the fast airstream hits the tyre directly. Spat acts as a flow conditioner in shaping the airflow to smoothly flow around the tyre. 

The side mirror too gets a makeover to further reduce the drag. The side mirror base is sculpted, and has a fin to streamline the air flow. Similar fins are protruding from the rear lights as well, all works in conjunction with the tapered tail and rear spoiler to reduce the flow separation and pressure-induced drag acts on the rear fascia of the car.

Small gallery of Toyota Aqua can be found after the jump.

Toyota Prius C - Leaked brochure of new Toyota hybrid

The Toyota Prius family is set to expand further after the addition of smaller hatchback called Prius C. Previously, the sole product line-up was expanded with the introduction of Prius V, a 7-seater compact MPV. This is part of Toyota offensive strategy to expand its hybrid market to more market segment to increase its market capture. 

The 5 door hatchback dimension is 3995mm x 1695mm x 1445mm for length, width and height respectively. The car rides on 2550mm wheelbase. In a nutshell, what we have here is a Yaris-size hatchback with hybrid drivetrain.

The car is styled differently from current crops of recent Toyota offerings, which has turned into angular and edgier kind of design to pose greater visual impact perhaps. Prius C continues with Prius V design lines such as the swoopy glasshouse, which curved dramatically towards the C-pillar. The front end adopt typical aerodynamic Prius nose, and blends it with curvier and fancier design detailing for the bumper and air intakes. The rear end gets gigantic rear light, with mostly clear lens elements. The exterior style is complemented by stylish 15" alloy wheel. Overall, the car imparts youthful-look to it instead of typical staid-looking Toyota cars. The car is also slated to have 5 shades of youthful color to choose from including funky tones such as Yellow.

The cabin gets funky when it comes to console design, with asymmetric layout for the dashboard. The steering wheel is from the Prius family, but the gear console and knob is big departure from typical Toyota hybrid-look, it instead looks like a normal Yaris item. Typical to JDM fashion, the interior is highly customizable in terms of coloring for seats and dashboard, as well as the accents surrounding the power window switch and glove box. In Japan market at least, the Prius C comes in G,S and L trims where the accessories are offered differently according to spesific package. More detail and photo after the jump.

Honda CR-Z Mugen

Are you among those who felt the CR-Z concept was a total waste? Nice CR-X inspired body, driver focus 2+2 cabin but powered by a hybrid system with a whopping 122 bhp? Worry not as Honda thinks so too. Mugen CR-Z is due to be presented at Goodwood Festival of Speed soon.