McLaren Set to Scorch Malaysian Roads

McLaren Automotive continues to put the pedal to the metal with its aggressive expansion plan in Asia as its much-anticipated inaugural Kuala Lumpur showroom opens today. The opening marks the 41st retail location in its 25th global market within the span of two years.

The iconic British brand of high performance sports car is represented in Malaysia by Sime Darby Auto Britannia Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Sime Darby Motors. McLaren Kuala Lumpur is the third collaboration between Sime Darby Motors and McLaren Automotive after McLaren Hong Kong and McLaren Shanghai.

Gracing the official launch ceremony of the McLaren Kuala Lumpur showroom were senior representatives from McLaren Automotive including globally acclaimed car designer and Design Director of McLaren Automotive, Frank Stephenson; and Sven J. Ritter, Sales Manager, McLaren Automotive Asia. Also present was Dennis Ho, Managing Director – Malaysia, Sime Darby Motors.  

The launch ceremony also saw the presence of a very special “guest”, the McLaren P1™, which is the 903 brake horse power (BHP) McLaren hybrid hypercar and the long-awaited successor to the legendary McLaren F1. With production limited to only 375 units worldwide, the super exclusive McLaren P1™ is the ultimate expression of McLaren's engineering expertise.

Sven J. Ritter said, “Asia is the world’s largest and fastest growing auto market. McLaren Kuala Lumpur’s new showroom is another testament of McLaren Automotive’s drive to expand quickly yet prudently into this exciting marketplace. Our expansion is hinged on working with partners with a proven track record in performance and delivery.”

Sven also explained that McLaren Automotive aims to expand beyond Formula 1 racing and have its state-of-the-art high performance sports cars available to discerning enthusiasts.

McLaren Kuala Lumpur’s flagship showroom is located at the Ground Floor of Menara Mudajaya in the upscale enclave of Mutiara Damansara. The showroom is supported by the McLaren Kuala Lumpur Service Centre in Temasya Industrial Park, Glenmarie. The Service Centre has a fully-equipped two-bay workshop where the employees have been professionally trained at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey (UK). This means they have the capability and expertise to service and diagnose any McLaren sports cars with the highest of standards.

McLaren Kuala Lumpur will start by retailing the McLaren 12C and 12C Spider. Designed and built like no other sports car, the 12C was derived from McLaren’s world championship-winning Formula 1 heritage. The price for the McLaren 12C starts from RM2.036 million.

McLaren Kuala Lumpur also has a vehicle adoption policy that offers existing McLaren sports car owners in Malaysia the opportunity to maintain their cars with an authorised McLaren service centre.  

McLaren Kuala Lumpur opens from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Sunday. For those who are interested to register, please log on to www.kualalumpur.mclaren.com for more information.

McLaren 12C

McLaren 12C Spyder

McLaren P1™

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Girls & Girls

Hi there..before the end of year 2013, here are some pictures of girls who does attract the crowd during motor sports events, auto show or some kind of candid pics. Dude, if there were no girls, it will be boring and such as incomplete occasion. Why do we get attracted to the girls, racing queen or whatever we called it? Simple answer, it is just about men's 'instinctive nature'. 

  

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Incoming Rivale 800 at Malaysian MotoGP

Since last year, I am searching everywhere using my laptops about MV Agusta Rivale 800. But somehow, Ducati Hypermotard and Hyperstrada does appear little bit early than this hooligan bike. Referring to a friend worked with MV, this model will be unveiled at Malaysian MotoGP. However, bikers need to have big patient to wait until Feb or March next year. Rivale only available at MV showroom for the next year plan.  

Unquestionably MV Agusta, Rivale 800 enters a new market segment to go where only emotions dominate. This extraordinary motorcycle boasts performance figures that leave little to the imagination: 170 kg, 125 hp. The MV Agusta Rivale 800 is a result of passion, experience, and inspiration to capture the essence of what is truly representative of our historic brand. It further expands upon our range with a new, eclectic interpretation of our modern three-cylinder engine that debuted on the F3 675 and also equips the Brutale 675 and 800 alongside the renewed four-cylinder family F4 and Brutale. 

Please do visit MV Agusta booth at the occasion to watch it closer. 

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Goodyear Launches Assurance TripleMax

New Goodyear tire delivers Maximum Wet Grip, Maximum Control and Maximum Braking Ability

Ducks aren’t concerned about the rain, and now drivers don’t need to be either. Reducing braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads¹, the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire will help Malaysian drivers take the worry out of driving in the rainy days.

With consumer driven needs at the center of its tire innovations, Goodyear has rolled out the Assurance TripleMax, the first tire to boast Goodyear’s latest HYDROGRIP Technology® that delivers drivers' maximum grip for maximum assurance.

Designed for mid-sized passenger vehicles, the new Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire is developed to provide drivers with increased peace of mind and shorter braking distances, particularly when driving in the rain.

“At Goodyear Malaysia, we keep our customer’s safety needs as the utmost priority. Setting a new standard in tire innovation, the Assurance TripleMax uses HYDROGRIP Technology®, a Goodyear proprietary technology that allows drivers to reduce braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads compared to other tires in the market¹ will best serve all drivers who are seeking the perfect tires to use on Malaysia’s road conditions and tropical weather,” said Ivy Peng, Managing Director for Goodyear Malaysia.

“HYDROGRIP Technology® provides maximum wet grip through an innovative new tread compound, maximum control via a larger surface area contact patch meaning there is more rubber on the road, and maximum braking ability by way of biting edges with large block elements. All of this combined results in a safer and more comfortable ride.”

HYDROGRIP Technology® – Reduces braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads¹
Goodyear’s proprietary HYDROGRIP Technology® in the Assurance TripleMax tire allows drivers to reduce braking distances by more than 2 meters on wet roads¹. HYDROGRIP Technology ® is a combination of the following three elements:
1)     Maximum Wet Grip: An innovative functionalized polymer tread compound with improved molecular bonding gives the Assurance TripleMax tire the extra edge to take grip to a whole new level on wet and dry roads.
2)     Maximum Control: Larger surface area contact and optimized pressure distribution on key block elements on the Assurance TripleMax tire improves rubber contact with the road, giving drivers more control during braking.
3)     Maximum Braking Ability: Equipped with biting edges with large block elements, the new Assurance TripleMax tire has an increased road contact area for extra security when braking.

In addition to significantly increasing grip and shortening braking distances, the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire was also developed with two other key consumer needs in mind; a high level of tire durability and an increase in fuel savings which enable Malaysian drivers to save more in travel expenses.

Reinforced with DuPont™ Kevlar® for added protection
Built to last longer, the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax gives drivers that extra mile with added protection and increased tire longevity. The Assurance TripleMax is reinforced with Dupont™ Kevlar®, which is used in military grade equipment. This lightweight material maintains stiffness and strength even under high temperature conditions when the tire is in motion, giving drivers’ added protection against road hazards.

Incorporates Fuel Saving Technology™
Goodyear’s Fuel Saving Technology™ in the Assurance TripleMax lets drivers go further for less and reduce emissions, saving up to RM 667.80/318L worth of fuel over the life of the tires². This is achieved by reducing the tire’s rolling resistance; the lower the rolling resistance of a tire, the less energy the car needs to push it forward.

“The Assurance TripleMax is Goodyear’s response to deliver to consumers a tire they’ve always wanted – one which focuses on increasing grip to improve safety, while also extending tire lifespan and maximizing fuel savings. We are committed to provide high quality standard tires and better road driving experience for the Malaysian market” said Ivy Peng.

Worry Free Assurance with Goodyear Assurance TripleMax
In conjunction with the launch of the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire, Goodyear is carrying out “Worry Free Assurance” program where drivers can enjoy a worry free driving experience. The Worry Free Assurance program offers purchasers a free tire replacement for damages caused by road hazards for up to 6 months3.  This program will be starting from 1st October till 31st December 2013 at all Goodyear participating dealers in nationwide.

Available Sizes


Available in 15" to 17" rim diameters and in multiple sizes, the Goodyear Assurance TripleMax tire delivers drivers of a wide range of mid-sized passenger vehicles maximum grip for maximum assurance. 

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Aston Martin DB9

The globally-renowned British luxury sports car maker, Aston Martin marked the celebration of its first 100 years with the debut of a new timeless and elegant Aston Martin DB9. It is touted as the most powerful DB9 in the model’s history since its introduction in 2004.  The arrival of this potent beauty sees the British sports car maker significantly enrich the appeal of its mainstay Sports GT in the High Luxury Sports segment.

The new DB9 is equipped with the AM11 V12 engine that delivers not only significant improvements to performance, but also CO₂ reduction when compared to the outgoing engine. The state-of-the-art all-alloy, quad overhead cam, 48-valve, 6.0-litre V12 takes Aston Martin’s ‘Gen4’ VH architecture hardware technology developed for the new Vanquish and delivers more power, compared to previously, for an even more spirited performance – the most powerful DB9 ever produced.

Tuned to suit the effortlessly luxurious character of the DB9, peak power is increased to 510 bhp – up 40 bhp on the previous DB9’s 470 bhp; and torque increased to 620Nm from 600Nm previously. The significant increases in both power and torque however, have been matched by an improvement in CO₂ emissions level of 333 g/km- savings of 12 g/km. The new DB9’s 0-100 km sprint time has been shaved to just 4.6 seconds.

The exterior new styling sees DB9 adopt an even more lithe, fluid and pure form. Taking a classic Aston Martin GT silhouette as its base, the new DB9 communicates a powerfully assertive yet elegant character with the addition of a more pronounced rear boot ‘flip’ to further enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car. The new DB9 sits low and wide, communicating a clearly athletic stance.

As beautiful as the exterior, the interior of the new DB9 reaches new heights in material artistry. Unmistakably Aston Martin, the Sports GT’s opulently-appointed interior boasts authentic materials and the highest levels of attention to detail. The new DB9 now comes with distinctive pinstripe welts- produced in one continuous piece which is 2 metres long and then hand-stitched into place. This requires meticulous levels of control and precision by master craftsmen, to achieve the perfect finish.

A further demonstration of Aston Martin’s renowned attention to detail and craftsmanship can be seen in the jewel-like glass switchgear used throughout the interior of the sports GT. Details such as these glass switches clearly demonstrate the luxury sports car maker’s commitment to the use of authentic, high value materials. 

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LEXUS ES250 Launched

Lexus Malaysia has officially launched the new Lexus ES to the local market. Placed at the mid size D segment, it was offered in three variant - ES 250, ES 250 Luxury and the hybrid variant ES 300h hybrid.

Lexus Malaysia under the hat of UMW Toyota Motor optimists with the new Japan imported product. The ES 250 powered by 2.5-liter 2AR-FE Dual VVT-i 4-cylinder engine which produces 181 hp and 235 Nm of torque. The luxury ES is mated with 6-speed Super ECT automatic transmission. What surprised  the ES can make 0-100km/j below than 10 seconds with top speed of 207 km/h.

For the hybrid, ES 300h was equipped with 2AR-FXE 2.5-liter single VVT-i Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine. The maximum output of 158hp and 213Nm can be reached. The engine unit was coupled with a 105 kW electric motor and the combined figure will hits up to 202 hp and 213Nm of torque. Drived by eCVT transmission, the ES 300h can reaches maximum speed of 180 km/h.

Too many features to write in here, but for sure they are cool devise and exclusive. The Avalon based model was fitted by 17-inch aluminum wheels. It comes with cruise control, 10-way powered front seats, reverse camera, Remote Touch Controller, 7-inch infotainment system, key-less entry and start, LED daytime running lights, eight-speaker premium sound system, Bluetooth connectivity and more as a standard package..

As a good fact, Malaysia has been the first country in ASEAN introduced ES250 right hand drive to the market.

Price: RM259,800 (ES 250), RM279,800 (ES 250 Luxury) and RM353,000 (ES300h).

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Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS 2013

Naza Premira Sdn Bhd just launched the newest addition to the adventure-touring Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS. The launch of this bike brings the total number of Aprilia models available in Malaysia to 9 models which include RS4 125cc, Shiver 750cc, Dursoduro 750cc and 1200cc, Mana 800cc, Tuono V4 1000cc, RSV4 R 1000cc and most wanted RSV4 R Factory.

With the introduction, Aprilia’s range product is more extensive and can compete in almost every segment of the big bike market.

Aprilia has revolutionized the street-enduro segment, offering the perfect balance of sport and comfort thru the Caponord 1200 ABS. Its advance and lightweight chassis make it easy to handle when facing the bustle of city streets whilst sophisticated electronic management and generous twin cylinder engine enable quick and fun rides.

Aprilia’s particular attention to the ergonomic detail includes excellent protection against wind, making it a comfortable adventure-touring bike fit for any occasion.

The previous Caponord model named as ETV 1000 Caponord released in 2001, represented and advanced interpretation of the streetenduro concept. With dual beam chassis in aluminium and 998cc 98hp twin cylinder engine, it has clearly sports derivations. Now, Aprilia has transformed the Caponord to be better than the predecessor.

Latest Caponord powered by 1200 V2 engine providing 125hp at 8250rpm. The new revamp bike was installed with superior electronic system include RbW, ABS, ATC, ACC and ADD. The RbW control three selectable modes – Touring, Sport and Rain. The ABS integrated with the ATC system, however, it can be disengaged independently. ATC (Aprilia Traction Control) is exclusive, designed to get maximum grip in any type road condition.

ATC has 3 settings which are – Level 1 (pure sporet-riding experience), Level 2 (daily use in city and touring) and Level 3 (enhanced safety on low-grip surface). ATC can be switched off. While, the ADD uses a patented comfort oriented algorithm that combines the principles of the sky hook system to handle the low frequency loads and acceleration driven damping to manage the high frequency loads.

The new Aprilia Caponord 1200 ABS is priced at RM83,888 (OTR).

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