Malaysia Motoring News - new article for today

First photo of Youngman-Lotus SUV - close enough to Proton MSX?

Posted: 22 Apr 2012 01:36 AM PDT


Youngman is going to showcase its new SUV in forthcoming Beijing Motorshow. Although officially still billed as a concept, but the car looks as production-ready as it can get. Since years ago, public over the net keep saying that this is the production version of the Proton MSX (or Lotus APX depends which one you see first), but this yet to be named Youngman-Lotus SUV merely shares some cues here and there, with none of the dynamics surface tension that littered everywhere on the original Proton's concept. But that is expected, as some MSX cues are impossible to be incorporated into the mass production, such as the triangular rear window. Overhere, Lotus has finetuned the design, right to the borderline of being me-too product, but still sufficient to inject some excitement towards the rear end design.
The front end is not only different to the MSX/APX triangular theme, but if one integrate the blackened part in the middle of the bumper, one can even see some resemblance to Proton Preve frontal fascia design. But the strong hood characterline that runs from the grille all the way up to the A-pillar has been retained. Youngman however adopt a big fender design that wrapped around the headlight. Front bumper is chunky in a bid to give some toughness perception.
 

The side profile is sleek, although the red lens rear lights do comes as a bit too loud, possibly due to its size and position that makes its reddish become more apparent. While no official information is available yet for the SUV dimension, it does looks suitably low.
The rear end is a combination between the MSX/APX and cues from second generation Toyota Harrier. But Lotus managed to make them all synergized well and present a somewhat very attractive rear end design. Details are scarce at the moment, but the SUV is tipped to be powered by Mitsubishi-sourced engine in 1.8L and 2.0L capacity.

Some more photos can be found after the jump, and a Proton MSX photo for comparison.
Read more »

In Photo - Toyota Prius C at AEON Rawang

Posted: 22 Apr 2012 12:36 AM PDT


Toyota Prius C (or Aqua in its homeland) is Toyota's foray into the hybrid supermini. Thanks to the tax-incentive (meaning tax free) in Malaysia, Prius C can have a competitive price, just like other foreign supermini in Malaysia, making the extra price of hybrid car goes unnoticeable. Prius C was introduced in Malaysia in February 2012, a very quick move by local UMW Toyota judging by the fact that the car was introduced to Japanese market only in December 2011. Below are some galleries of Toyota Prius C, caught in AEON Rawang.


To recap, externally, Prius C is  3,995mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,445mm tall, and rides on a wheelbase of 2,550mm. The car is powered by 1.5l gasoline engine hooked to THS-II, Toyota hybrid drive system. Under the Japanese test cycle of JC08, the Aqua will return 35km/l, while in 10.15 mode, it returns a staggering 40km/l. The new hybrid powertrain is 40kg lighter than the unit in Prius. The petrol lump produced 73PS@4800rpm and 111Nm@4000rpm while the electric motor punched out 61PS and 169Nm. With some algorithm involved, total power output is calculated to be 101PS. Interior photo and the 260L of bootspace photos can be viewed after the jump.
Read more »
 
 
Posted by:

Tag: