Japan Auto Production Surges

Japanese automaker reported that its substantial increase in global production in February, Toyota has increased as output rose by 83 percent over the previous year despite the continued withdrawal of several important models

The world's largest automaker said Monday that the increased production increased in almost all regions and the seventh straight month of manufacture. Was 655,180 vehicles in February.

Toyota Motor Corp. is fighting the corruption of a once pristine safety record of the massive global recalls.

Increase production to remember, despite the cessation of production in the U.S. for five days in early February to the crisis unfolded. Toyota also announced the suspension of the European races in April and Ma

Main rival Honda also saw a significant increase, with production up 49.3 percent year over year to 284,711 vehicles. Nissan's production up 72.4 percent to 270,366.

Chinese in $1.8bn deal to buy Volvo

INDEPENDENT Chinese car-maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has signed a binding deal to buy Ford's Volvo Cars unit for $1.8billion (£1.2bn) as it bids to expand into Europe.
The purchase gives Geely a European luxury car brand with a reputation for safety and quality at a time when China, which last year surpassed the US as the world's largest car market, is eager to improve its competitiveness by acquiring foreign automotive brands that might help it improve its technology and expand into overseas markets.

The price, which includes a $200million note with the remainder to be paid out in cash, is far less than the $6.45bn Ford paid for the Swedish car-maker in 1999.

The US car-maker has been trying to sell Volvo since late 2008 to focus its resources on managing its core Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.

http://business.scotsman.com/business/Chinese-in-18bn-deal-to.6186952.jp

Would Rival offer the use of GM vehicles for Test Drive

According to reports from Reuters, General Motors, trying to prepare competition-disk test in Chicago, LA, Philadelphia and Miami

The project, entitled'Test Drive Studio"reads as follows: when the consumer goes to the participating merchants, but it' ll be offered a test drive in the mid-size Malibu and Equinox, and Traverse crossovers.

After that builds GM's (and U.S. taxpayers') money is where his mouth is: You' ll offer people the chance to go in comparable Ford, Toyota and Honda

Not only that, the program offers consumers the opportunity to attract more direct comparison, but it saves them time in this process."They come in and control over some of those competing products in your spare time ... not't have to go running in the city go to the meeting distributors," says General Motors'' Steve Tihanyi, Director of Marketing

Tihanyi explains that the ultimate goal is to draw the attention of people on-line with the help of pop-up window (pop-up that works yet?) To Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. Not sure, but the studios in heavily trafficked shopping centers will be good.

Just make sure that the dealers take care'don t people. I like that I met a Ford dealer recently and had a man in the rain knocking at my window for sale. Wake up man, I 'm not always the car in the rain to talk to a salesman at

Kia does an Audi for its 2011 all-new Optima/Magentis

A picture tells a thousand stories as the saying goes...what say you?

2010 subaru legacy

Subaru Legacy 2006, the new model replaces. Photos and information in this article is based on the model Subaru sold in the U.S.
Subaru Legacy 2010 is a completely new model. The four-door body grows in length (35 mm), but primarily on the width (90 mm) and height (80 mm)

2006 Subaru Legacy dimensions are 4665 mm long, 1730 mm wide and 1425 mm high. Subaru Legacy with these increases, one of its characteristics of its low altitude lost. Trunk is bigger and wider mouth and low pollution.

ubaru Legacy Like other models of permanent total traction. The engine (U.S.) consists of three: 2.5 liter 170 hp, supercharged version of the previous engine with 265 hp and 256 hp 3.6 liter. All available Boxer type.

Subaru Legacy, depending on the engine, transmission can be manual or six-speed automatic. If it is automatic, can be two types: hydraulic torque converter with five ties, or continuously.

The Subaru Legacy is new and there are six devices can be selected in advance from the camera behind the wheel. This is a feature of the first such case with the longitudinal engine and traction system combined total of
Subaru Legacy ,Audi, for example, a box of continuous variables (Multitronic), but not used in vehicles with a total longitudinal traction for the combined use of dual-clutch 'S tronic "or torque converter (' Tiptronic).

The engine and front axle are mounted on subchasis. The Subaru Legacy 2005 was connected to the engine to the chassis. Price is independent McPherson suspension in front and two rear triangle (in the previous period McPherson Subaru Legacy). Depending on the tires can run 16, 17 or 18

Subaru Legacy parking brake is electrically controlled so that it start to contribute more room to switch on the console (on the left side of the dashboard. Also a guide to you ramp that the Subaru Legacy maintains slowed when the slope exceeds 5%

2011 Nissan GT-R Prices from $ 84,060 U.S. The model removed

Nissan today revealed the price for the U.S. market in 2011, GT-R sports car, which has now been certified for sale at selected retailers for model year 2011, Nissan from leaving the base model GT-R is only available with a premium version of the all-wheel drive sports car

Manufacturer 's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Premium model is $ 84,060 excluding taxes, title and license fees, it ' s about $ 1000 more than the previous model year 2010 GT-R Premium.

Changes to the GT-R 's second update since its launch late in 2007 also reinforced rear suspension and bushes for more comfort
Other improvements include a slightly darker wheel hub cover, double varnish on the front and rear apron and rear addition, cooling pipes for better cooling performance at the back

In addition, automatic on / off headlights and windshield wipers parameter, along with the iPod USB, audio streaming via Bluetooth, and DVD playback, which now come as standard, while the navigation system now includes XM NavTraffic capability and NavWeather

There's nothing new under the bonnet with its 2011 GT-R is the same 485 hp strong 3.8-liter V6 bi-turbo engine is connected to the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox transmission, as 2010MY

Tested: Ford Mondeo 2.3L Duratec

Better late than never, they say. How true it is for the Mondeo that you see above. It may be nearly four years ago when we last saw this executive silver screen debut in the 2006 James Bond flick "Casino Royale", this D-segment continental Ford has still got it. In the metal, it has sheer full-size executive sedan presence, albeit from some angle it has started to age a wee bit e.g. its straight frontal visage.





This may probably sound cliche. But the truth is, after having left the realm of a proper D-segment saloon - sold off my W211 last year - I truly appreciate the full sized D-segment comfort and solidly comfy ride.

That said, the Mondeo has got a steering feel unlike Camry's light/lifeless character or Accord's Japanese-feel with its supposedly sporty rack responsiveness. The Mondeo's just naturally good, likely due to stiffer chassis strength and suspension robustness et al - contributing to a better steering feel, feedback and agility. Needless to say, this huge Ford tracks corners like a smaller e.g. C-segment car with so much gusto that it inspires confidence in a way that only a true-blood Continental sedan can, while maintaining a relatively clam composure for the rear passengers over a variety of undulating surfaces. Simply pleasant.




While the 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox cannot be faulted for its fine cog-swapping execution and matching to engine revs, I find it rather baffling why the Mondeo 2.3 Duratec cannot breach 185 km/h on open stretches of private road. Is this fully-imported Ford from Belgium trying to execute JDM-esque diplomacy in Malaysia? On a similar note, the Mondeo's powertrain don't seem at ease cruising consistently above 160km/h. Class-wise, the absence of ESP, electronic stability control program is just as intriguing.

What's (not) so great about VW Mk6 Golf GTI

A lot of superlative pluses have been showered on the sixth incarnation of Volkswagen's iconic GTI thus far. Name me one absolutely bad test review and I shall buy you a dinner of your choice.

So is this about to change here: the dark & ugly side of the Mk6 GTI be dissected upon and laid bare for all to feast? Forget the bland, allegedly less-sporty styling (I like it) - some say more matured, discreet and understated versus the Mk5 (that's why I dig it) - what you are about to read below may make you cringe like you do towards those MPs who have suddenly gone 'independent'...












First, the price increase: from RM198k to RM211k. It's a new generation you might argue. Well, most Mk5 owners might say it is more of just a re-skin exercise ala Audi A4's B6 to B7 generations. With the RM13,000 increase you'd be getting:

1. Only 17" alloys
2. Lack of sunroof
3. No Tyre Pressure Monitoring system
4. RCD 310 CD-Radio which leaves a lot to be desired (very mediocre audio quality, absence of in-dash CD changer, no USB port and no touch screen interface...) Mk5 all came standard with in-dash 6-CD changing headunit
5. No scuff plates
6. Smallish wing mirrors with quite horrendous lateral blind spots
7. No rear LED lights
8. No daytime running lights (just pushing luck a little further here)
9. No memory function for the one-&-only electric seat i.e. the driver's
10. Drabby colour choices. The tester in Candy White (CW) is so Mark5! (For a fact, CW looks stunning on the Mk5, lesser so on the Mk6)
11. Lack of red-thread stitchings on seats to match parking brake lever, gear-knob and leather steering rim







To make things worse:

1. The Mk6' roof noise is absolutely appalling in our thunderstorm rain pelting the tinny-sounding metal sheet over your head. Absolutely disconcerting! (think: Honda City/Civic, Toyota Vios/Altis/Camry)

2. Some plastic part is of sub-standard quality e.g. the rear luggage cover suspension hook which can be easily fractured Day-2 into ownership (RH) and seemingly even the 5-years warranty doesn't cover it!

3. There IS turbo lag when you drive in 'D' with the compressor wheel seemingly off-boost when you're doing anything below 2,000rpm. Yes, the brochure states that max. torque of 280Nm start twisting from a low 1,700rpm...perhaps the tachometer reading has gone off scale or something.

4. You can almost never drive with the DCC in anything other than 'Auto'. In 'Comfort' your rear occupants will go all dizzy & car-sick on B-roads. In 'Sport' it will rattle your brain so bad that you may leak CSF through your nostrils should you brake too hard on those grabby rotors' calipers!

5.You can't really do mid-sweeping-corner lane-change-overtaking-maneuver (especially to outer arc) as fluidly and confidently like you do in a RWD vehicle. I certainly didn't sense the XDS - VW's electronic-braking pseudo-LSD thingy helping out here.

6. Slow traffic crawl with the DSG gears swapping from 'D2' to 'D1' can be a bit of a judder should you be hesitant in braking to a slowdown/complete stop. Yes, the DSG isn't perfect yet. Surprising indeed.

So, for those of you who'd still like a Mk6 GTI you can call your own, better have an extra RM25k to upgrade that ICE system to RCD510 or RNS510 (with GPS) plus change of speakers, upsized 18" alloys (Scirocco's Interlagos alloys looks yummy), soundproof your roof with extra-extra thick padding, change the wing mirrors to Passat CC's or Eos', APR ECU remap (to be done discreetly of course) in due time - hopefully this will cure the turbo-lag and the perceived drivetrain lethargy. And not forgetting the more aptly-matching Golf-R's rear-LED lights with alien-like 'written' characters akin to the Na'vi tribe's in Avatar.

So much for the Mk6 Golf GTI's "No enhancements needed" tagline from VW Group Malaysia, eh?

To be absolutely fair, the Mk6 handles tighter than how most wives keep tab on their husband's whereabouts and/or finances. The level of grip is phenomenal with tightness into and out of corner that defies belief. Body control isn't just taut, it's damn bloody tied down! Solid. Rock steady. Enabling a tracking of corners that will awe most of us, if not all those with a keen sporty driving instinct. The steering though a bit artificial (with DCC et al) in feedback and feel, is quick, weighs just about-okay and sharply accurate. Well, the steering wheel itself with red stitching, aluminium bits, micro-pocked leather sections and flat-bottom passes off like an expensive Sport option from the boys at AMG, M-division or Dr Ing HcF Porsche.

The brakes though snatchy and quite hard to modulate initially - like the Audi A4 TFSI (B7) - are very clinical in scrubbing off speed, hence reassuring for late braking into corners. While those lovely bucket seats will keep you snugly planted whatever your lateral, accelerating and decelerating antics are.

Though lower-end power delivery can be a tad lumpy in regular 'D' drive mode with an equally woolly throttle response below 2000rpm. Snap the DSG lever into 'S' and with a relentless assault on the rubber- studded-aluminium-plated gas pedal, the GTI will slingshot towards the horizon with a mettle, not unlike a junior version of a BMW 335i coupe. With much plantedness and feel the need-for-more-speed since not much can be felt anyway. Yes, in a Mk6 GTI high velocity is deceptive. Very much so and you get accustomed to it very quickly. That's the very reason why the aftermarket tuners are having a field day remapping/reflashing the new EA888's ECU as we speak.

For the record, Vmax of the Mk6 GTI is an indicative 248km/h, tried and tested on a private stretch of road, and this is stock standard performance. Average fuel consumption that ranges from 8.2l/100km for cool, sedate, long-distance driving to a high of 13.5l/100km for those speed demon blasts! For that, it takes a very well engineered car to stay calm & composed, plus that fuel efficient. With that, I guess I'd still not have to buy anyone their preferred meal off a restaurant's evening menu.

Is Citroen's Newest Concept GT a Car for a GQ

Hot damn. Is it just me, or accept contempo CitroГ«n concepts been some of the a lot of show-worthy artist cars in a while? GTbyCitroГ«n, absolutely stunning. The Survolt, absolutely fun to attending at and bethink about Ridge Racer or Cruis'n World. I even like the REVOLTe in a weird, this-isn't-right affectionate of way. And the next beholder is just about the bend.

Called the GQbyCitroГ«n, it's one of the best-looking GTs I've apparent in a while - sorry, BMW - and is the aftereffect of a activity led by GQ UK editor Dylan Jones.

The car's exoteric was bound by CitroГ«n's Mark Lloyd of DS3 acclaim (and his architecture team, naturally) while the autogenous is by Patrick Grant. Grant happens to be artistic administrator at E. Tautz, a Savile Row clothier and the abundance area I acquirement my linens.

According to Lloyd, "Where this car works so able-bodied with GQ is that it fits with the accepted attitudes of apparent consumption. It is chaste rather than in-your-face, glassy rather than macho."..

As for the claimed numbers, they're impressive. With a direct-injected 1.6 liter gas/electric amalgam ability train, it's said to hit 60 mph in 4.5 abnormal while getting bound to a top acceleration of 250km/h or 155mph. Emissions are at 80g/km.

If anyone happens to be in London this anniversary for the official launch, get some pictures (Canon 60D, Panasonic point-and-shoot, or celly), and we'll column 'em forth with the official shot