ETCM updated the Nissan Sylphy -starts at RM114,880

In almost 4 years that the Nissan SYLPHY has been in the Malaysian market, it has introduced thousands of motorists to a new level of comfort and refinement in the mid-sized sedan segment. As evidence of being the best-value choice in its class, it was picked by the authoritative AUTOCAR ASEAN as the magazine’s Overall Car of the Year shortly after it was launched in Malaysia.

Now, for 2012, the Nissan SYLPHY takes another leap forward with updates and upgrades that enhance its exterior styling and give even better value for money to customers. The 2012 Nissan SYLPHY is available in 2.0XL and 2.0XV versions to suit different buyer needs and budgets. “Nissan does not allow its models to become stale or boring and constantly provides upgrades to keep them fresh. We are confident that the new 2012 Nissan SYLPHY will win over more Malaysians, especially young executives who are looking for a refined sedan with the best value for money,” said Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, the Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM).

While the clean overall design is maintained, there are new front and rear bumpers; a new chrome grille with a bolder design; and revised front and tail-lamps which complement the styling. To suit different tastes, there are five distinctive colour choices specially selected to complement the modern image of the Nissan SYLPHY: Bronze Gold, Tungsten Silver, Sapphire Black, Twilight Grey and Brilliant White.

The 2012 Nissan SYLPHY is powered by the all-aluminium MR20DE 2.0-litre 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine with Drive-by-Wire technology for enhanced responsiveness. With ECCS, electronic fuel injection system and continuously variable valve timing control (CVTC), this proven engine delivers superb fuel economy with strong performance from no less than 133ps of power and 191Nm of torque. The engine is paired with Nissan’s 3rd Generation Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (X-CVT). This combination results in superb fuel economy with refined yet powerful acceleration.

Both versions, which have a black interior theme with fine cherry wood trim, come with a new silver-ringed combi-meter design incorporating a Multi-Information Display; and a new audio system head-unit with MP3 and Auxiliary input. For convenience, the door mirrors can be folded at the touch of a button while the air-conditioning system (now with a temperature display) has an automatic setting to maintain a consistent desired temperature throughout the cabin. Everyone will also appreciate the comfort provided by the Masumi seat fabric and the sofa-like rear seat concept. Read more after the jump.

Proton P3-21A delayed from original March launch

Proton has delayed the launch of the eagerly-waited P3-21A , according to Btimes.The delay is said to be caused by the last minute design changes that effect the cost and part readiness. Furthermore, the hot forming components are still being sourced from Germany using the soft tooling, not the mass-production hard tooling facilities. 

Due to this, there is a serious shortage of parts resulting in mere 600 units produced in March, instead of planned 2,621 units. Also, from January to February, instead of producing 4,246 units, only 337 were made. So there won't be enough cars for launching, let alone for customer delivery.

The original launch date is 17 March. Now some rumours are saying May in a more likely date. The question is, why there is such a delay, especially the one that involved major parts such as the hot press parts? Usually, the long lead time stamped parts are design-freezed much, much earlier in the development schedule. Sound fishy? 

There's other way to look at it. First perspective is sometimes last year, DSSZ did mentioned that the P3-21A  is due to be launched in April 2012, so there's a possibility that, internally they are still meeting the dateline. Secondly, perhaps the new owner DRB-Hicom would like to delay things until all the reshuffling has been done and they themselves can launch the car instead of the current Proton's management regime? 

Anyway, those who are around the Klang Valley, head to Stadium Bukit Jalil from 14-18 March for Proton's Power of 1 Showcase. According to fellow blogger friend ( and salesman too), the event could be the replacement of the originally planned grand launching of the P3-21A. However, despite the fact of the P3-21A delay, there will still be a lot of activities such as the technology demonstration and F1 car exhibition. Perhaps a teaser of P3-21A will be there too.....

PETRONAS Dagangan & Perodua signed RM225 million deal

The new contract dubbed the Perodua Genuine Oil agreement will see Perodua using PETRONAS’ SL/SM grade oil at all its service outlets nationwide worth RM45 million per annum for 5 years with immediate effect.

“This deal is indeed very special for us as it strengthens the already good relationship that we are enjoying with PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad and I believe that this agreement will usher in a new chapter of cooperation between both parties,” Perodua managing Director, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said in his speech at the ceremony today.

The agreement was signed by Aminar and PDB’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Amir Hamzah Azizan.

Aminar added that the deal emphasizes Perodua’s confidence in the quality and reliability of PDB’s products and services.

PDB, the principal domestic marketing arm of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) for downstream products has vast experience and expertise in the area of fuel and lubricants development. With PETRONAS’ seven state-of-the-art blending facilities worldwide including Italy and two world-class research and development centres, PDB is committed to develop products of international quality for its customers.

At the signing ceremony, Amir said, “Over the past 30 years, PDB has successfully grown to become Malaysia’s second largest lubricant company in a very competitive market. We aim to be the number one in Malaysia by 2015 through effective marketing initiatives, backed by our technological expertise and strong support from our strategic global partnerships.”

“Today’s signing ceremony between PDB and Perodua is certainly a step forward to reinforce PDB’s position as the Brand of 1st Choice,” he added.

Both Perodua and PDB have a long standing business partnership since 2003.

Mercedes-Benz debut the new A-Class at Geneva

Mercedes has ditched the mini MPV design concept of its A-Class to welcome a sharper, sportier and low slung hatchback design concept for the latest A-Class model. Officially unveiled in Geneva motorshow, the new A-Class is now a sleek hatchback measuring 4,292mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,433mm tall. The car is a massive 409mm longer, a scant wider by 16mm and equally massive 160mm lower compared to the previous A-Class. 

The first and second generation of Mercedes A-Class

In a way, the original A-Class was an innovative piece of engineering with its patented "sandwich" platfrom which allows the engine to slide down and rearwards in the event of an accident to better protect the occupants in what essentially a much shorter chassis than any contemporary Mercedes-Benz car at that time. Although plaque by the 'elk test' earlier in its life cycle, Mercedes has succeed in rectifying that by modifying the suspension and include the stability control systems with the car. The second generation of A-Class introduced in 2004 continues with the same format, with further refinement to the "sandwich" platform which has been redesigned to correct the original W168 faulty ride and handling. With W169, Mercedes has succeeded in  improving the ride and handling as well as injected some touch of class in the cabin architecture and material usage.

The third generation model is however entirely different in concept. It rides on all-new platform dubbed MFA (Modular Front Architecture) that features a transverse drivetrain packaging driving the front wheel. This essentially differentiate the new A-Class from its Munich rival, the new 1-Series. Adopting a FWD layout may means the deletion of the ultimate driving satisfaction provided by the RWD setup, but it should give the new A-Class an advantage in more efficient interior packaging.

The new A-Class adopts the latest Mercedes corporate face in the shape of prominent bulging headlamps consistent with the new SL-Class. The front grille is distinctively more upright. At the side, there's strong character line that sweep deep from the waist and curved upwards as it approach the rear end. The rear fascia is very well sculpted in design, with the rear light pushed outwards. Overall, the new A-Class has a more planted stance than the weedy foot print of the current model. For an added dose of aggressiveness, Mercedes also offered a Sport version which for the first time, the performance specialists from AMG were involved in the development of the compact class from a very early stage. The result is the most dynamic version of the new model series - the A-Class Sport 'engineered by AMG'. The A-Class Sport features exclusive 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-spoke design with 235/40 R18 tyres all round and painted high-gloss black with a high-sheen finish, together with red-painted brake callipers. Hints of red on the AMG front and rear aprons also serve to emphasise the expressive positioning of the new model.

The interior is an amalgamation of the trend originally set by the SLS with retro-inspired circular aircond vent and a flat centre console design. However, the A-Class, not unlike the B-Class has been fitted with the free-standing screen at the top of the console. All trim surfaces feature an electroplated finish in "silver chrome", giving them a genuine metallic surface with "cool touch" effect. There is also an option allowing a smartphone to be fully integrated into the operating and display system. A special app makes it possible to use the full functionality of the iPhone®, and in due course also of other smartphones, in the car.

For the engine option, both gasoline and diesel are available from the launch, where all of them are turbocharged and paired with ECO start/stop function to enhance fuel economy and reduce CO2 emission. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has achieved the emissions of just 99 g/km of CO2 with this model.

The petrol engines are available with a displacement of 1.6L and 2.0L. The line-up starts with A180 with 1.6L turbo producing 115 hp followed by A200 with same engine, albeit with higher-tuned to produce156 hp. A250 uses the turbocharged 2.0L lump kicking out 211 hp. All of these petrol engines feature the aforementioned turbocharging, as well as direct injection systems with advanced combustion process and an extended stratification range for lean-burn operation that uses fast-acting injectors for the multiple injection of the fuel as well as on-demand multi-spark ignition. The 1.6L engine features the new valvetrain system dubbed CAMTRONIC where it is capable of adjusting the valve lift on the intake side restricts the amount of fresh mixture used in the partial load range, so reducing consumption.

The diesel engines also offer an impressively high level of efficiency thanks to a sophisticated injection technology and turbocharging. The A180 CDI is powered by 1.8L lump offering an output of 109 hp and 250 Nm of power and torque, while the same engine in A200 CDI has a maximum output of 136 hp and 300 Nm. The A220 CDI is equipped with a 2.2L version, punching out 170 hp and 350 Nm. All engines can be paired either with the new six-speed manual transmission or, as an option, with the 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The new A Class will reach the dealership by September 2012. However, as per the Volvo's move with the new V40, this car will not be going to the US. More photos of the new Mercedes A-Class can be found after the jump.

Daihatsu Motor set up automatic gearbox plant in Seremban

Perodua’s technical and technology partner, Daihatsu Motor Company (Daihatsu) will begin construction of the region’s first Electronic Automatic Transmission (EAT) plant in Seremban; effectively making the country a regional hub for the high-end automotive component.

Daihatsu, through its subsidiary, Akashi Kikai Industry (M) Sdn Bhd is investing an initial RM100 million for the plant and will start construction this month. The plant will tentatively be in operations by November 2013 with some 120 workers.

Akashi-Kikai Industry stakeholders consist of Japan-based Akashi-Kikai Industry co Ltd 51%, Daihatsu 39% and Perodua 10%.

Perodua Managing Director Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said that the new EAT plant is part of Daihatsu’s continued commitment to invest in Malaysia.

“We are very happy that Malaysia was chosen for this project as it shows that the country is still a viable investment destination for investors,” Aminar said.

He also said that this joint-venture company will effectively transfer high-end and high quality technology to Malaysia and would be able to do so at relatively low cost.

Aminar added that this new EAT plant will further boost local content as well as encourage hi-technology transfers and other value added activities to the country.

Daihatsu, via a media statement said that Akashi-Kikai business activities are limited to the manufacture and sale of electronically controlled automatic transmission units.

In a deal with Negeri Sembilan’s Menteri Besar Incorperated (MBI) and developer BSS Development Sdn Bhd; Akashi Kikai will acquire the land from Negeri Sembilan and construction will begin later this month.

The land area aquired in total is 113,000 square meters and the plant’s initial size would be approximately 13,000 square metres, while the plant production capacity is expected to be 150,000 units per year.