Archive for November, 2011

BMW All Wheel Drive?

Best Looking Sedan Currently

This is a rumour coming out from a BMW dealer presentation at the Netherlands saying that BMW is working on 2 all-wheel-drive models. First, the M550d; 381hp and 700Nm of torque goodness from a 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine. To ensure all the power is properly transferred to the road, it is done so via an all-wheel drive system.

Ditch Your Bikes. Get a Jetta.

Happier times

OK. We are The Car Guys, but that doesn’t mean that we swear by 4 wheels and ignore the 2-wheeled variants of fun. Both Andrew and I would like to get our full B licenses next year, while Vernon is simply too tall for any motorcycles

Volkswagen South Africa took a snipe at motorcyclists and their Sunday ride. Watch the ad video after the jump. We personally think that Golf R, R32 or GTi should be in place of the Jetta.

VW Passat Alltrack

Travel comfortably through flash flood

The Passat Alltrack is based on the Passat Wagon but is equipped with the 4MOTION, is raised in height and given aesthetic enhancements to save the paintwork when the going gets tough. During normal road driving, 90% of drive goes to the front, but if necessary, almost 100% of drive can be sent to the rear via an electro-hydraulic Haldex clutch. In the UK, the Alltrack is available in diesel TDI form, offering both manual and 6 speed DSG transmissions. More pictures and press release statement on the Alltrack is after the jump.

Toyota FT-86 Video Teaser

Hmm.. what's in the engine bay???

This is the newly released teaser from Toyota on the upcoming FT-86. The video shows the design process but more interestingly, we spot what seemed to be a 2.0 litre boxer engine mounted lowly under the hood. This could help in lowering the centre of gravity of the car. What else did you see in the video? The FT-86 will be revealed in next week’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Tiff Needell on Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Tiff getting excited on the 911

This Porsche marks the end of the 911 era. 493 bhp at stratospheric 8,250 rpm. 460 Nm maximum torque at 5,750 rpm. 6 speed proper manual gearbox and only 600 will be built and all were sold out. It’s hard not to get excited as Tiff explains why in the video after the jump. Oh, ignore the first 12 seconds of the video.

Hot Import Nights (HIN) Comes to Malaysia

DynoWars @ HIN

Hot Import Nights (HIN), one of the largest touring automotive lifestyle shows and leading influencer in the automotive lifestyle market, is coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Yes, you heard it right. Founded in Australia in 1996, then known as “Auto Salon“, HIN is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. HIN has grown from strength to strength since its humble beginnings and is held annually in USA, Australia and Indonesia bringing together car enthusiasts, car clubs and the automotive industry, specifically in the car modification and automotive-related industries. What better way to celebrate a decade of hot cars and hot race queens with an inaugural show in Kuala Lumpur? Backed by Honda as the title sponsor and over 50 other sponsors, Honda-Hot Import Nights Kuala Lumpur 2011 is set to excite fans and car enthusiasts over two days on 17 & 18 December at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam.

Launch: Honda CR-Z

The New Honda CR-Z; bridging the gap between sporty and green

Overview

As the world places an increased emphasis on green technology, eco-friendliness is now becoming one of the most important trends for manufacturers around the globe. This is also true for Japanese vehicle manufacturers, and hybrid technology  has now become a staple product offering in Japan. Of course, the recent Great East Japan Earthquake and the disaster that followed has provided an additional impetus for green technology proliferation in Japan.

Great News for DIY-ers!

DIY made simpler

If you are an avid DIY-er who loves to work on your car, we’ve got good news! The bible to your car, called Haynes, has now made its content online! Well, there are only 50 titles so far but each volume can be viewed from any mobile device with an Internet connection, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. On top of that, it will also have videos enacting tasks, so you would save time and prevent mistakes. One year subscription is renewable at USD 5 or USD30 for a lifetime.

Volkswagen R Cars Going to Diesel?

Oil burner soon

Volkswagen R division is what M division is to BMW. At last week’s LA Auto show, the boffins at the R division told Autoblog that, “the future is diesel and all-wheel-drive”. He further added that, although hybrid-electric is in place, the fuel savings are pale in comparison to weight saving. The current technology is too expensive to allow one to have, say, lighter batteries.

R’s executive director, Ulrich Riestenpatt gt. Richter, went on further and said that he can make an R version of any vehicle in the VW stable, not just Golf. Beetle R? Polo R? Passat R? Anyone?

Source: Autoblog

Jaguar XKR-S Convertible at the Ring

Bad Cat

The 2012 Jaguar XKR-S Convertible has a 5.0 litre supercharged V8, producing 540 hp and max 680 Nm of twisting force. Driving the rear with a 6 speed autobox, the Cat is able to complete a century sprint in just 4.2s. Sounds like a success recipe for the Nurburgring? We don’t know. There’s something missing in the video after the jump. Tell us what it is.