Fully visible P3-21A Instrument Panel spied!

Now the leaked is almost complete. We can finally see the Instrument Panel of Proton much-awaited P3-21a, thanks to fellow blogger Funtasticko. Seems that Proton has adopt a very, very and very normal design for its new global car which will compete with the stylish global car like Hyundai Elantra etc. All I can say is " Owh Proton!"

Hyundai goes defensive in the US - launched Elantra GT and Coupe

In market where both hatchback and sedan rules, Hyundai has launched a defensive strategy to cover the compact market with as much exposure as it can. It include launching a single model with multiple body style to cover the attack in every corner. Enter a duo of new Hyundai Elantra. While the fluidic sedan body style is deemed interesting-looking enough already, Hyundai now try to fend off the likes of Ford Focus and Subaru Impreza hatchback with its Elantra GT. The 2 door coupe Elantra coupe meanwhile has sets its sight firmly on the new Civic coupe.

Think you've seen this car before?Well, it is the Hyundai i30 in the Europe, brought over across the continent to live as Elantra GT. The 5 door hatchback is pitched as a sporty 5dr hatch with its sports-tuned suspension. The car is claimed to the lightest in its class, which include the aforementioned Ford Focus, Subaru Impreza and Mazda3 as a rival. The drivetrain package is however similar to the Elantra sedan, which means a 1.8L which kicks out 148bhp at 6500rpm. Transmission option is either manual or automatic with 6 forward ratios.

The Elantra GT features Hyundai now-customary hexagonal grille that blends smoothly with the hoodline, which then travel along the sleek beltline. Carefully-honed aerodynamically, the implementation of Hyundai latest fluidic approach here yields a drag coefficient of 0.3, better than any of its rival. Sleek side mirror and 17" alloy complete the exterior styling panache.

Unlike the rebadged i30, the Elantra Coupe is an all-new effort, albeit with a heavily borrowed cues from its sedan sibling. The rakish coupe is actually slightly longer than the 4dr version, so don't worry too much on the loss of practicality. Elantra Coupe was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif where the exterior styling was honed to an impressive 0.28 of drag coefficient. From the side, Hyundai Elantra Coupe conveys a wedge-like sport coupe silhouette with deeply sculpted surfaces, while the steep A and C-pillar angles frame a sharply tapered greenhouse, further accentuating the wedge profile. Just below the belt line, a prominent character line carries from the door through to the rear deck. Wheel arch creases give a subtle flared appearance around front and rear wheels, for a wide and aggressive presence. Further, a beveled rocker panel rounds out the lean and muscular effect.

Under the hood, the Elantra Coupe is powered by the similar 1.8L Nu engine as per the Elantra GT and the Sedan. For the US market, the Coupe comes in two trims level, the base GS and the SE range topper.  The SE model gained 17" alloy wheel (instead of 16" item on GS),  rear lip spoiler, sportier suspension tuning and gets the option of touch screen GPS systems and a rear camera.

The gallery of both model can be found after the jump.

Nissan 370Z updated for 2012

Nissan has unveiled the updated 370Z model at the Chicago Motorshow. However, this is not an all-out facelift as changes are minor. Among the styling tweak include a revised front bumper design, which surprisingly looks like an evolution from the 350z. This include the squared-off radiator intake and a vertically-positioned DRL on the bumper. The former replaced the fanged outlined of pre-updated 370z, while the vertical DRL positioning hardened the soft radius of last year 370z bumper edge. The comparison can be drawn based on the inset photo of last year's 370z.

However, you have to squint really hard to notice the changes at the back, if any. Nissan declared they have replaced the blackened rear reflector on the fascia with the red reflector, which anyway is a variation from version of different continent, as the Euro model inset below is already featuring red reflector. A quick check revealed the US model was indeed fitted with black cover previously. The biggest exterior changes, apart from the afore-mentioned front bumper, is the highly stylistic new alloy wheel. The standard car wears a newly design 18" item, while the Sport Package car gets a bigger 19" item. Going for Sport Package too will get you a red caliper and a stiffer absorber dubbed Euro-tuned. Exterior makeover is completed by the addition of two new exterior shades called Magma Red and Midnight Blue. More detail after the jump.

First image of RHD 9th generation Honda Civic

We have witnessed the photo of 9th generation of Honda Civic since July 2011, but all of them are in Left Hand Drive (LHD) format, meant for Arab and mainly China market. The other photos are mostly irrelevant, as the USDM model are different aesthetically exterior wise, and the European version is simply a dream over here in Malaysia. Massive flood in Thailand did not help either, as surely this has a significant impact on Asian CKD program. Just ask Honda Malaysia when the City FL will arrive!

1.6L model photo here, it lacks the front fog lamp

Wait no more, thanks to the Singaporean market. Singapore is one the market where most car for all specs are being sold here. Furthermore, if there is a model for Asian Right Hand Drive (RHD), Singapore is very likely to have it first. So here it is, perhaps, a first ever RHD model for the ninth generation Honda Civic.

Side profile is not as solid and slab sided like FD, but sleeker. Like large Honda City though

Contrary to conservative Honda marketing in Malaysia, Singapore Civic can be quite choicely specified. For the 8th generation, not only it has a range extended down to 1.6L capacity, the interior color also is not fixed, unlike Malaysian buyer who can't choose the interior color of their Civic.

Fussier than the FD, but half a year of exposure has made the design easier to the eye

While it is not yet clear on the interior color, the Singaporean bound Civic can be bought in one of the four option. The entry level is 1.6L, followed by the 1.8L and the ICE-driven is topped by the 2.0L variant. Green environmentalist can opt to get the Hybrid version. The engines are carried-over from the 8th generation, while being upgraded for "greener" green-credential, which include items like the ECO button. More after the jump.

Proton P3-21a photo continues to leak!

Perhaps it is a gimmick, perhaps it is untrusted employee, or even it is the unsuspecting vendor. In the era of camera phone, it is nigh on impossible to monitor those tiny gadget capable of capturing image. And phone nowadays is not the crappy 1MP item, some are even 12MP. So there you go, another leak of P3-21a from the leaky funtastickodesign automotive blog.

What do you think? The other leak photos can be seen from MMN previous entry HERE for you appetizer prior to the official launching which was rumoured to be on 16th March 2012. So book your date!

Finally, it is the final day to vote for Social Media Awards 2012. So far, Malaysia Motoring News is 8th, which is nothing to shout about. So reader, you can be better than simply just hop in read and then leave untraced! You know what to do and tonight is your final chance.

VOTE for Malaysia Motoring News for Social Media Award 2012. Click HERE to be redirected to the voting page.