Kia Cadenza Video

The Kia Cadenza or K7 as it is known in Korea has been launched yesterday. I found this great video showcasing all the new features found on the Cadenza/k7 I talked about in my previous post. The star of the video is non-other than the car & Korean star Byung-hun Lee. He is the one who plays Storm Shawdow in GI JOE Rise Of The Cobra.









Read more about Cadenza In My Previous Article







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Naza Forte Swings Into Action

The "Sporty" car describe by Peter Schreyer has been officially Naza-rized. At present the Forte comes in 3 variants which is the 1.6 EX, 1.6SX & the 2.0SX. Unfortunately the 2.0 liter variant isn't the Hot Forte Koup :(



Externally the premium & basic Forte can be differentiated by looking at the wheels & door handles. The 1.6EX comes with cheap looking 195/65R 15inch Steel Wheel while the premium version gets a 215/45R 17inch alloy wheel. Chrome treatment is given to the SX variant while the EX door handles follows the body colour.


All variants comes with a four speed shiftronic transmission.Considering the fact that we are paying alot for the car here, the Forte should have been equipped with a 5-speeder instead. The 1.6 liter engine found under the hood is from the Gamma range while the 2.0liter heart hails from the more advance Theta family. This translates into the 2.0liter version having the same fuel consumption figure as the 1.6 version that stands at 7.0 liter per 100km.0-100km/h sprint takes you 12 seconds.



In terms of safety the 1.6liter EX has dual airbags,active headrest & Anti Lock Breaking System. Upgrade to the 1.6 SX & Naza will throw in ELectronic Stability control(ESC),Electronic Brakeforce Distribution(EBD),Brake Assist System & Traction Control System. The 2.0liter SX gets an additional 4 airbags in the form of side & curtain airbags to bring the number to 6.

Moving on to the interior, the 1.6 & 2.0liter SX gets a rear parking system & a 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with tilt & telescopic column adjuster. The 2.0 liter SX gets what Kia calls it Motor driven Power Steering. This is an EPS system much like in the Civic, which uses an electric motor to drive the steering instead of it being directly hydraulically driven. This allows variable steering assistance – heavy at high speeds but lighter at low speeds to assist with parking.



Lastly Naza is asking for RM 75,800 for the 1.6EX, RM 81,800 for the 1.6SX & RM 93,800 for the range topper 2.0SX. All prices quoted includes insurance for the peninsular.

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Kia cadenza/ K7 unveiled in Korea + photos

Kia's flagship sedan has officially made its debut in Korea today where it is called the K7. To the rest of the world the car will be known as Cadenza. The Cadenza replace the 10 year old Amanti/Opirus which carries a design that actually went out of fashion many years ago.

According to chief designer Peter Schreyer,"The traditional three-box sedan shape was retained, but was morphed into a more flowing design with an aerodynamic Cd of just 0.29." He further added " The interior is dominated by the treatment of the futuristic 'floating' dashboard that highlights Kia's innovative design approach.".

The Cadenza is shorter then the Opirus but manages to offer more space to the occupants through the extended wheelbase (up by 45 mm to 2845 mm), additional exterior width and more compact rear suspension. The Cadenza which sits on Kia's new 'Type-N' platform sheds 130kg from the previous generation Opirus.

Energy saving LEDs are used extensively on the cadenza from the front head lamps to the rear combination lamp clusters while dual mufflers integrated into the bumper, enhance the new Cadenza's sporty appearance.

The press release by Kia also highlights the 'welcome' system turns on the exterior puddle and interior lights to 'greet' the car owner. I can imagine how Jeremy Clarkson will be annoyed by this feature.

The Kia Cadenza comes equiped with electronic amenities such as Dual-zone climate control air-conditioning is standard, and other high-tech 'comfort & convenience' features include keyless entry and an engine 'start' button, RPAS reversing sensors, a reversing safety camera with interior mirror display screen and a powered extension for the driver's seat cushion.


Here is the technical details :

Body & Chassis
Four-door, five-seater sedan, with all-steel unitary construction bodyshell. Powered by transversely-mounted V6 gasoline engine driving the front wheels.

Engine
3.5-litre / 290 ps : [ Middle East & General Markets ]
Type : 'Lambda II' Quad-OHC, six-cylinder in V, with dual CVVT
Max power : 290 ps (213 kW) @ 6600 rpm
Max torque : 338 Nm (34.5 kg.m) @ 5000 rpm

Transmission
Automatic : 6-sp with fully auto & sequential manual modes

Suspension & Damping
Front : Fully independent by MacPherson Struts.
Rear : Fully independent by Multi-Link rear axle.

Steering
Type : Hydraulic power-assisted rack and pinion
Gearing : 2.94 turns lock-to-lock with 11.08 metres turning circle

Brakes
Front / Rear : 300 x 28 mm ventilated discs / 284 x 10 mm solid discs

Wheels & Tires
Standard LX : Alloy 16 in x 6.5J 215/65 R16 tires
Standard EX* : Alloy 17 in x 7.0J 225/55 R17 tires
*Optional on LX















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All New BMW 5 Series (F10)

Chris Bangle's 5 series has officially left the house to make way for Van Hooydonk version. The new Beemer 5 er gets my thumbs up for looking rather conventional in a good way of course. I was one of the many people out there who protested against the previous generation 5 series design. The new 5 series has a more muscular feel to it thanks to the smart combination of bulges & lines that co-exist harmoniously on its body panel.

The new 5-Series is larger than ever and it features pretty much the longest wheelbase in its segment – a total of 2,968mm. Apart from looking a lot like the F01 7 series, the new 5 does share a common vehicle platform with the F01(& of course the 5 series GT). The F10 and the F01 was a joint development and both models share the same components extensively. The mean body stiffness of the F10 is up by 55% as compared to the E60. That should further strengthen BMW's claim for producing the ultimate driving machine.


At launch, the 2011 BMW 5-Series will be available in Europe with four petrol and three diesel engines. The diesel lineup includes:

• A 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 184HP and 380Nm (280.2 lb-ft) for the 520d that accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.1 sec, has a top speed of 227km/h (141mph) and returns a combined fuel economy of 5.0lt/100km (56.5 mpg US)

• The 525d is powered by 3.0-liter straight-six turbo diesel that makes 204HP and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.2 sec, a top speed of 236km/h (147mph) and returns a combined figure of 6.2lt/100km (37.9 mpg US).

• The 530d features a 245hp and 540Nm (398 lb-ft) 3.0-liter turbo diesel for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) time of just 6.3 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph). It returns a combined 6.3lt/100km (37.3mpg).

The petrol range includes:

• The 523i which is equipped with a 204HP and 270Nm (199 lb-ft) 3.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-six that allows for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 238km/h (148mph) with a combined fuel economy of 7.6lt/100km (30.9mpg US).

• Next up is the 528i with a 258HP and 310Nm (228.7 lb-ft) straight six. 0 to 100km/h (62mph) comes in 6.6 seconds while top speed is electronically-limited to 250 km/h (155mph). This model returns an average fuel consumption of 7.8lt/100km (30.2mpg US).

• The 535i gets a new, 3.0-liter inline-six with a single, twin-scroll turbocharger (instead of the 335i's two turbochargers). It makes 306HP and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.0 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) with a combined fuel economy of 8.5lt/100km (27.7mpg US).

• The flagship 550i features a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine with 407HP and 600Nm (442 lb-ft). It hits the 100km/h (62mph) mark in just 5.0 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155mph). BMW says that it returns a combined 10.4lt/100km (22.6mpg US). Power is channeled to the wheels via
  

Two transmissions are available – the new 8-speed ZF automatic or two different 6-speed manual transmissions. The manual on the 535i, 525d and 530d with dry sump lubrication to reduce drag power loss and oil splash power loss. The 530d, 528i and 523i come with a manual transmission with a conventional oil supply.

If BMW's legendary handling of the standard 5 series still falls short of your expectations, then there is an optional adjustable damper system is called Dynamic Damper Control and is part of a system called Dynamic Drive Control which also varies throttle response, steering response and automatic gearbox shift pattern according to modes – COMFORT (only when the dynamic dampers are equipped), NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT+.

BMW put the new 5 series on a high aluminum diet with low steel intake to suppress unwanted weight gain of the 5 series. Doors, engine lid, and front side panels are now made of aluminium. Heck, BMW has invest a total of 50 million Euros in Plant Dingolfing just to handle the new use of aluminium in the F10 5-Series.

Those who are in good terms with the interior of the 5 series GT & 7 series F01 will not be offended with the new 5 series's living cabin. In fact the interior does look much more up market compared to its predecessor. The instrumentation panel’s multi-info display uses BMW’s Black Panel technology which is basically a big LCD screen which occupies the bottom of the instrumentation panel. There is no parking brake in sight – instead you get a button.

Other technological goodies that will definitely unleash your inner geek includes Head-up Display, Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, two rear entertainment packages and a Surround View system that uses cameras in the side mirrors and the front wheel arches in conjunction with Park Distance Control and the optional Reversing Assist camera to provide a 360 degree view on the iDrive display to assist parking.

This Beemer beauty set to go on sale in europe come March 2010 with the Malaysian launch following closely behind.



























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Perodua Alza Photos

More details On The Alza here














































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Perodua Alza Launched!!

Perodua has lifted the veil of its much anticipated Mini MPV called ALZA which means ‘to rise’ in Spanish. Perhaps a more 'Malaysian' name will be much nicer to the ears. The ALZA is basically a redesign Toyota Passo Sette/Daihatsu Boon Luminas which is supposedly aimed at the Proton Exora. The Exora being a 'full size' MPV can accommodate 7 passengers comfortably but I doubt the ALZA can beat that hence the ALZA should be pitched against the Nissan Livina & Toyota Avanza. To be honest with you the Alza is much more of a 5+2 (the 2 person at the third row has to be tiny to be comfy :(

The Alza and Avanza actually use the same 3SZ-VE engine (DOCH,16V with DVVT Technology) though the Alza’s is transverse and the Avanza’s is longitudinal for rear wheel drive installation. Perodua claims that the 3SZ-VE engine churns out 76kW(104ps) at 6000rpm with torque values 136Nm peaking at 4400 rpm. The engine is coupled with either a 5 speed manual transmission or a 4 speed auto gear box. There are two trims of Alza both available in manual & auto transmission. The Auto Transmission is located on the instrument panel but the manual stick is located at the center console exactly like the Myvi.


Externally the premium version Alza can be differentiated from the standard version through the availability of front fog lamps & a rear spoiler. Perodua has decided to retain the stylish alloy rims throughout the whole range unlike the 2 different types of rims found on the Myvi to differentiate between the 1.0 & 1.3 liter variant.

Where the exterior of the Alza does not differ much as far as the trim is concern, the interior tells a different story of diversity. The standard version comes with amber illumination for the Optitron meter combination while the premium one gets blue illumination. The door arm rest is coated with silver paint & internal door handles are treated to chrome finish for the premium spec while the standard version has to settle for the "material colour" which is black.


Another obvious thing you will notice about the premium version is the steering wheel. The higher grade Alza features a leather-wrapped wheel with audio swithches while the lower spec version gets a bare steering wheel.

There is a difference in seat cover material between the two trims but seats from both variant remain as comfy. In fact the Alza seats provide better thigh support for the second row passenger as opposed to the Myvi.

I did not get a chance to try out the integrated audio system on the Alza. In fact when I was in the showroom, there was a lion dance troop strutting their stuff to the point that I have to shout with the sales person to communicate. I can assure you that the integrated unit on the Alza looks & feels better than the ones found on the Myvi. The buttons actually "sinks into the console" when it is pressed thus providing the user a better feedback & a sense of quality. Try the ones on the Myvi followed by the ones on the Alza to see what I mean. The unit glows with same colour as the your meter combination. While both trim's audio system supports CD & MP3/WMA files, the premium version has additional USB & bluetooth support.


The premium Alza gets dual SRS airbags, ABS, EBD & BA(Break Assist) while the standard version is devoid of any form of these passive safety equipment. A mistake worth condemning as the much cheaper Naza Forza is equipped with two airbags. A new technology used prevents you from locating the position of the airbag as the cut out piece of plastic covering the airbag compartment is missing.

The plastic used on the instrument panel may not be the best out there but it has a softer(more rubbery feel) texture compared to the ones used on the Myvi. Unfortunately that is only true for the upper half of the instrument panel. The lower half is ruined by cheapo looking grey plastics. Cargo space at the rear is extremely limited when the third row seat is up.

Finally the price list of the Perodua Alza is listed below. Frankly it should be priced lower than what it is now but given Perodua's confidence of selling the Alza like hot cakes, lowering the price is the last thing on their mind now.





For More Alza Pictures Please Click Here









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