Kia Picanto

Kia has announced the price for the all new Picanto starting from RM54,888-RM59,888 (OTR with insurance). Two variants available 1.2L MT and 1.2L AT. 6 colors can be chosen such as Alice Blue,Lemon Grass, Signal Red, Galaxy black, Bright Silver dan Clear White. For the safety all new Picanto has 6 airbags (Dual Front,Side and Curtain Airbags), ISOFIX, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), Speed Sensing Auto Door Lock and Impact Sensing Auto Door Unlock for all variants. Powered by KAPPA 1.2 MPI CVVT engine with 4 wheels dics brakes. front suspension using McPherson Struts and stabilizer and Coupled Torsion Beam Axle (CTBA) for rear suspension.

Specifications:
Exterior

 Interior

 Comfort

Safety

 KIA - The Power To Suprise

Volkswagen Polo Sedan CKD 2014

Volkswagen Polo Sedan CKD has been launch at price tag RM85,888, OTR without insurance. RM14,000 lower than the CBU version. CKD version get upgrade such as RCD 320 sound system, 'climatronic' automatic air conditioning system, rear air-conditioning vent and adjustable front centre armrest with strorage box. Powertrain and drivetrain are remain unchange as the CBU version.

Specifications:

Proton PREVE LE - RM79,688

 Proton PREVE Limited Editions has been launch for only 100 units and only solid white color available at RM79,688 OTR. The new features for this version are 6 airbags, leather seats, 17-inch R3 alloy wheels and full R3 bodykits. With 2 extra curtain airbags, the PREVE LE received the maximum safety rating of 5-Star from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Coming Soon - Perodua Alza SE

Picture from Perodua facebook. The SE version get new bodykits and rims. 

Estimate price from RM69500.

Coming Soon - Hyundai Veloster Turbo

DESIGN
Much has been made of the two doors one side, one door the other design. Suffice to say it's a talking point and one that guarantees the car a place in motoring history. In practice, the concept works just fine and after the first few days, you probably won't even notice anymore. The car itself is a knockout from any angle.
But dare we say the rear is a bit busy and could do with some simplification? The dash and interior trim could also do with some dressing up. Some sporty garnishes wouldn't go astray and the removal in this model of the contrasting silver trim has unfortunately created a dash that is drab and devoid of colour.
SAFETY
Five stars. Hyundai is not interested in bringing any car here that doesn't achieve a full five-star safety rating and has been proactive in making sure they make the grade. Gets six airbags and a full complement of safety systems, including electronic traction and stability control.
TECHNOLOGY
The 1.6-litre twin scroll turbo delivers 150kW of power and 265Nm of torque, compared with the standard model's 103kW/166Nm. It's the same engine, featuring 16 valves and the latest gasoline direct injection technology but the turbo version operates at a lower compression.
That's 46 per cent more power and 60 per cent more torque. The Turbo produces its torque much lower in the rev range too from 1750 revs compared to 4850 for the standard car. To be clear, the turbo's auto is a traditional slush box unlike the standard Veloster and Veloster Plus that gets a dual clutch system (DCT).
As yet the faster changing DCT can't cope with the extra torque of the turbo, but they're working on it. Fuel economy is a claimed 6.8 litres/100km for the manual (we got 8.5) and 7.6 litres/100km for the auto (we got 8.0).
DRIVING
We had the opportunity to drive the auto and manual back to back. The manual is a sweet thing, with a slick, surprisingly mature gear change that falls easily to hand. But the Turbo is not quite a hot hatch, with times in the high 6s for the auto and low 7s for the manual.
In fact, you could argue that it's not really a hatch at all but you get the picture. Nevertheless it provides plenty of performance and more importantly is a ball of fun to drive. If you're a city driver, you're going to be more interested in the 6-speed auto which includes paddle shifts. It's not bad but falls short of the snappy, intuitive change that the new Cruze delivers with its second generation auto.
VERDICT
Like it. Like it a lot. There's still room for improvement and it will be interesting to see where Hyundai takes this car but in the meantime there's no reason to hold back on buying one.

Coming Soon - Hyundai i40 Tourer

DESIGN
Styling is sleek and swoopy from its chiselled eagle-eyed front to its sculptured flanks and tapered tail. And the interior has a stylish layout, quality trim, easy controls, copious storage and snug seats front and rear. More a sports wagon than a load lugger, the big cargo area includes a full-size spare tyre.
SAFETY
Standard safety features are nine airbags, stability control with emergency brake system and cornering brake control,
DRIVING
On test, the turbo diesel proved to be frugal and willing. It accelerates smoothly, has respectable mid-range thrust and cruises quietly. If you could drive Hyundai's i40 blindfolded you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a premium European car. It's not surprising considering it was designed in Germany. Gripes are few. The high waistline and small rear window impair rear vision, the base model needs rear parking sensors, and there's no sat-nav.
VERDICT
The i40 has that secure, warm and inviting feel expected of a Euro brand and has a smooth ride and confident handling.

Proton Suprima S Recieves Five-Star Rating by ANCAP

Star Rating :

Overall Score : 34.25 (out of 37)

Airbags: Frontal+Side+Head 

Vehicle Type : Medium Car

The Proton Suprima S is the hatch version of the Proton Preve, which received a 5 star ANCAP safety rating in February 2013. Proton has provided technical evidence to ANCAP showing that the Suprima S provides comparable occupant protection.
The Proton Suprima S is to be introduced in Australia from December 2013. Dual frontal, side chest and side head airbags (curtains) are standard. Antilock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD) and electronic stability control (ESC) are also standard. Advanced seat belt reminders are fitted to both front seats.
5 stars. In the offset crash test driver chest and leg protection was acceptable. Passenger chest protection was acceptable. In the side impact crash test driver chest protection was acceptable. Performance in the side pole test was good.

High scoring Medium Car

Mercedes-Benz B-Class	All variants	2012-on	Frontal, Side, Head & Knee Airbags	36.78		17/05/2012
BMW 3-Series	320d	2012-on	Frontal+Side+Head	36.76		12/06/2012
Volvo V40	D2 variant	2013-on	Frontal+Side+Head+Knee	36.67		18/01/2013

 

What is ANCAP?

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) provides consumers with independent and transparent information on the level of occupant and pedestrian protection provided by different new car models, in the most common types of crashes, through its star rating program.

ANCAP safety ratings are determined based on a series of internationally recognised crash tests, with vehicles awarded an ANCAP safety rating of between 1 to 5 stars indicating the level of safety they provide in the event of a crash and their ability, through technology, to avoid a crash. ANCAP is committed to raising the bar on vehicle safety.

ANCAP is supported by the Australian and New Zealand motoring clubs, Australian Federal, State and Territory governments, the New Zealand government, the Victorian Transport Accident Commission, NRMA Insurance and the FIA Foundation.

ANCAP buys and tests cars that are available to Australian and New Zealand consumers. Car manufacturers can examine the test cars before and after tests, and view the tests and results.

ANCAP uses a range of internationally recognised crash tests, undertaken by specialist laboratories.
These include:

Frontal offset test

The frontal offset test simulates hitting another car of the same mass travelling at the same speed. 40% of the car, on the driver’s side, makes contact with a crushable aluminium barrier at 64km/h. Dummies in the vehicle indicate the likely injuries resulting from the crash test.

 

 Side impact test

The side impact test consists of running a 950kg trolley into the driver’s side of the vehicle at 50km/h. The trolley has a crushable aluminium face to simulate the front of another vehicle.

 

 

 Pole impact test

In the pole test the car is propelled sideways at 29km/h into a rigid pole aligned with the driver’s head. The pole is relatively narrow, resulting in major penetration into the side of the car. Curtain airbags are particularly effective in reducing the chance of serious head injury in this type of crash.

Pedestrian test

The pedestrian tests are carried out to estimate head and leg injuries to pedestrians struck by a vehicle at 40km/h. These crashes represent about 15% of fatal crashes in Australia and New Zealand - as high as 30% in some urban areas.

Whiplash test

The whiplash test is conducted in two parts - a geometric measurement of the head restraint, and a dynamic test using the vehicle seat mounted to a test sled which simulates a rear-end crash equivalent to a stationary vehicle being hit at 32km/h.

 

 

Roof crush test (from 2014)

The roof crush test is conducted to ensure occupant survival space is maintained during a rollover crash. A solid metal plate is pushed against the front corner of the roof at a constant, slow speed and the resistance force measured.

Additionally, vehicles are required to have a minimum number of safety assist (collision avoidance) technologies as part of the overall safety assessment.

How are the tests scored?

ANCAP scores out of a possible 37 points.

• The frontal offset and side impact tests can earn up to 16 points each
• At least 12.5 points in each of the frontal offset and side impact tests must be achieved to earn a 5 star ANCAP safety rating  
• The pole test can earn an extra two points
• Intelligent seat belt reminders can also earn up to 3 bonus points to help improve a star rating 
• At least 32.5 points must be achieved overall (with at least one point scored from the pole test) to earn a 5 star safety rating
• From 2008, cars must be equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to earn a 5 star ANCAP safety rating
• To achieve a 5 star ANCAP safety rating from 2013, cars must be equipped with ESC, 3-point seat belts for all forward facing seats, head-protecting technology (side airbags) for front seats, seat belt reminders for front seats and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) as well as 3 additional safety assist technologies (SAT) such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), blind spot monitoring (BSM) etc.
• The requirements for each star rating will increase year on year as identified in ANCAP's Rating Road Map. The Road Map progressively raises the bar for safety ratings for the forward-looking five-year period promoting continuous improvement in vehicle safety.

 

Other NCAPs

Similar crash testing programs are conducted in the USA, Japan, Korea, Europe, China, Latin America and South-East Asia however international crash test results are to be used as a guide only, as the structure and equipment of overseas models may differ from that of the Australian or New Zealand car of the same name.