All-New BMW X5

By Dr Long BMW Malaysia launched the new BMW X5 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle in BMW speak) for sale starting 30th May 2007. The all-new E70 BMW X5 is the second generation of premium, high-performance SUV to come from this Munich automaker, with the predecessor having debuted in 2001. The E53 X5 set the standard for on-road sporty driving dynamics then, yet capable to tackle off-road paths should

Naza-Brabus Centre Bangsar

The sole distributor and exclusive franchise holder for BRABUS in Malaysia and Singapore, Naza-Brabus Motor Sdn Bhd has officially opened its new Brabus centre at Jalan Ara in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.With almost 18,000 square feet of space, this 3-storey building houses BRABUS operations office, sales showroom, tuning centre, accessories & merchandise showcase, an audio visual showroom and a French

2008 Kia Picanto

By Dr LongThe cute little Kia Picanto has undergone a mid-cycle facelift to refresh its looks and renew buyers’ interest. Nicking aesthetic cues from the Kia Cee’d, minor updates are made on the interior. Meanwhile, the front now sports a visibly ‘softer’ visage, mostly contributed by a set of rounder headlamps and slimmer-lower-wider grille. Apart from a redesigned rear bumper, the rear light’s

New Audi Q7 launched in Malaysia

By Dr LongThe New Audi Q7 was launched at Euromobil’s Audi Hangar in Glenmarie, Malaysia on 24th May 2007. In unveiling this new luxury SUV, Euromobil Chairman likened this new Audi to be “a unique combination of sportiness and ruggedness crossed with luxury and comfort”. Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir also quipped that the Q7 will “appeal to a niche group of customers who value exclusive character

New Nissan Latio Sport and Sedan

By Dr LongThe much belated 2004/05 Nissan Tiida and Tiida Latio (Versa in the U.S. market) will be officially available in Malaysia by June 2007. With the name shortened to just ‘LATIO’, the car buying public can opt for either Sport (hatchback) or Sedan (saloon) versions. Strangely, the Sport-badged version is only available in 1.6L form. On the other hand, the Latio Sedan will be produced in

2008 Opel Agila

Also set to be revealed in the coming September at Frankfurt International Motorshow 2007 is Opel’s newest supermini called the Agila. To be sold in Europe for the 2008 model year with two petrol engines of 1.0L and 1.2L producing 65bhp and 86bhp respectively, the Agila is a close cousin of the upcoming Suzuki Splash (think VW Touareg vs Porsche Cayenne).Notice the near-identical aesthetics as

New Suzuki Splash

Due for world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2007 (in September), the new Suzuki Splash is a refreshing and cute all-new small passenger car hoping to capture a sizeable share of the A-segment growing market in Europe. The new flexible compact car combines the sportiness of Suzuki’s successful model Swift with the technologies and immense know-how of the Japanese world market

VW Golf GTI W12 Concept

Pictured above is a highly modified, super high performance version of VW’s iconic hot-hatch, the Golf GTI Mk5. A 6.0L W12 twin-turbo engine is mid-mounted (just in front of the rear-axle), capable of punching out 660bhp @ 6.000 rpm and wrenching a hyper-twisty 750Nm @ 4.500 rpm. This Golf GTI W12 rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 sec. To put this in perspective, it is as quick as a 911

Nissan 350z Facelift

For the 2007 model year, Nissan engineers have taken the iconic Z-car one step further with the next generation of its award-winning VQ-series 3.5L V6. The new VQ35HR V6 produces 306bhp and 363Nm of torque and features a twin air intake system which boost its power band (read: improved low end torque as well as higher revving) and yet delivers improved fuel economy.Other new features for the 2007

2008 Saab 9-3 Facelift

The current Saab 9-3 range will be facelifted for model year 2008, drawing inspiration from the award-winning Aero-X concept car. Frontal visage, especially the grille section is significantly revised and adopts a sharper, more ‘serious’ outlook. The front bumper plus its airdam exerts a more aggressive and sporty profile. Styling themes first seen on the Aero X concept, together with a return of

2008 All-New Honda Accord Sedan

MotorTrend.com has reported that the all-new 8th generation Honda Accord will make its U.S. debut sometime August 2007.Clearer and larger full-sized spy photos can be viewed at:http://www.motortrend.com/future/spied_vehicles/112_0705_2008_honda_accord_sedan/As compared to the spy pictures above, a lot of the design cues of the sedan can be traced to the Accord coupe as pictured below:As expected,

2008 All-New Audi A4 (B8)

By Dr Long What is seen here is possibly the all-new Audi A4 due in the UK by September 2007 , as well as making its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2007. Based on the new B8 platform - first used in the new A5/S5 coupe - the key technical features of this new challenger to BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are a radical new drivetrain and front suspension design that promises better

New Perodua Viva

After much fanfare of spy-shots, scoops and media embargo, this is the final unveiled 'new' product coming from Perodua, Malaysia's second national car manufacturer. In the built up to the launch yesterday, it was much talked and claimed to be THE one-for-all replacemant model for its ultra-bargain basement 660cc, 850cc Kancil AND the 1,000cc Kelisa.However - and dissapointingly so - Perodua too

International Engine of the Year Awards 2007

The International Engine of the Year Awards have become one of the most sought-after automotive accolades and an effective marketing tool for triumphant marques.For 2007, the award was judged by a panel of 62 renowned motoring journalists from 29 countries encompassing the USA, Japan, China, Russia, New Zealand, India, Korea, Germany, France, South Africa, and the UK, the Awards highlight and

New Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

By Dr LongBeginning September 2007, the 911 Turbo will be available as a drop-top, carrying on a 20-year tradition within the 911 Series, based on the latest 997 Turbo. As with the 911 Turbo Coupé, the Cabriolet is be powered by the similar 3.6L six-cylinder boxer with bi-turbo of Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG). The powerplant punches out 480hp and wrenches 620Nm of torque from a low 1,950 rpm

BMW Concept CS

By Dr LongBMW unveiled a jaw-dropping all-new concept car at the Shanghai Motor Show 2007 recently. Showing off their iteration of four-door coupe in the form of the Concept CS, the Bavarian automaker served a challenge to Mercedes-Benz, Aston and Porsche all at once. Expected to become BMW's new flagship model, with rumours of it becoming the next 8-series, the CS is believed - and appears - to

Full Test Drive: Lexus GS 300

By Dr LongWith the debut of LS 400 in 1989, Lexus is one luxury brand that has come a long way, despite being a relatively young marque. After all, its parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation is the most successful company in automotive history, toppling even General Motors (GM) for the top spot in sales for 1Q 2007. More significantly, Lexus is North America’s best-selling line of luxury

Indias Leading Automobile Portal Launches Real Estate Website

Sams Auto Trade Pvt Ltd, Indias leading online automobile portal, has recently announced its launch of a real estate website.The new website will allow users to register and advertise properties for sale, rent or lease. This new website has much more to offer and provides a platform for new real estate agents and brokers to reach the upper market.The new portal can be reached via http://