Malaysia Motoring News - new article for today

2012 Honda CR-V Speculative Malaysian Specs

Posted: 06 May 2012 01:38 AM PDT


The 2012 iteration has been launched in many countries since last year. In its homeland Japan, Honda CR-V was launched back in November 2011, some months after the US introduction. Closer to our neighbourhood, Singapore has gotten their CR-V in March 2012. When is Malaysia turn?


However, for sure the car will arrived here sometimes this year. Since there are a few permutation of CR-V model available, which one we will get? MMN uncovers this, purely based on the historical data of the drivetrain and trim package that usually being CKD here.

While Singapore gets both 2.0L and 2.4L model, it is very likely that Malaysian CR-V will be 2.0L only. This is the trend that has been observed since the third generation Honda CR-V made it to Malaysia. While the JDM model channelled their drive to the front-wheel via CVT gearbox for 2.0L version, this setup will be ditched for Malaysian market, as CVT is more suited to the short distance and start/stop slow driving typical to Japanese driving pattern. Singapore version are both front-wheel-drive only for 2.0L and 2.4L, so Honda Malaysia might adopt the same strategy to reduce the cost and improve fuel efficiency, both paired to the 5 speed automatic gearbox.

As for the interior, the latest Honda CR-V does come with 5" TFT Multi Info Display screen at the top of the dashboard, standard for Singaporean-bound CR-V, and option for the many other markets. Judging by how Honda Malaysia specced up Honda Accord and Honda Civic, we will very likely to loose this features. Instead, the basic American trim has been observed to have a storage box at the top of the centre console. The audio system could be an out-sourced item as Japanese car always put the option of selling a non-audio equipped car so fitting a locally sourced audio system should be a breeze. However, the USDM Honda CR-V is equipped with build-in audio system that follow the same design trend as the latest Honda Civic which can be seen in our gallery after the jump. As for the seat, our current Honda CR-V is fabric upholstered but there's nothing wrong with it as it is quite plush.

Other than the trimmings and drivetrain package, Honda CR-V should be almost identical worldwide. Hence for other details, refer to MMN coverage for the Honda CR-V Japan launch for more technical details HERE. The summary of the probable specification of the Malaysian 2.0L Honda CR-V and a small gallery of Honda CR-V 20G can be found after the jump.
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BMW X1 LCi - updated looks and new drivetrain

Posted: 05 May 2012 03:00 PM PDT



BMW has revealed its facelifted junior SAV, the X1 LCi during the New York Autoshow, signalling the entry of its smallest crossover to the US market last month. Now the updated X1 will be gradually updated to the rest of the globe with a refreshed look and updated range of drivetrain promised to be more economical than ever  where every rear-wheel drive X1 now emits less than 130g/km of CO2.  Since its introduction in 2010, some 275,000 unit of BMW X1 has been sold. This signifies the success of the concept of SAV crossover applied to the less-than-X3 package. Furthermore, fellow German rival Audi has released the Audi Q3 in its bid to steal some of the pie in this segment, with Mercedes-Benz rumoured to follow suit.



For the update, BMW has modified the exterior design, meticulously upgraded interior, comprehensively revised engine portfolio and more importantly introduced the new range of BMW Lines in similar trend to the new 1 and 3 Series to deliver an even more intensive experience of the hallmark driving pleasure for which the brand is known for. To recap about the BMW X1 LCi, BMW has updated the front end with revised front bumper design sporting more angular three lower grille. While the high-mounted front fog lamp remains, but the bumper is more angular in its execution. Combined with larger twin-kidney grille, BMW X1 now has a more muscular front end presentation. Elsewhere around the exterior, the side mirror has been replaced with the boxier item featuring LED indicator.  Meanwhile, the rear end revision is very minor. The tail lamps has been retained, while the lower section of the bumper has a smaller black cladding. As a results, the rear reflector is now the bumper section, instead of being fixed together with the blackened bumper garnish.


In the interior department, the cabin has been reworked minimally with the new steering wheel design that is more in-line with recent BMW model. The classy touch has also been added to the i-Drive screen with chromed accents on the outer edge of the screen.

In the powertrain sector, BMW X1 LCi is latest beneficiary of the well-known BMW Advanced Diesel and Petrol TwinPower Turbocharged engine. The range of engines for the new BMW X1 comprises three petrol and five diesel units spanning an output range of 116 hp to 245 hp.  Leading the way in the new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines is the 218hp/450Nm powerplant of the new BMW X1 xDrive25d, featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprising latest-generation variable sequential turbocharging. The other diesel offerings are in the xDrive20d (184hp/380Nm), xDrive20d Efficient Dynamics (163hp/380Nm) and xDrive18d (143hp/320Nm). All there displaced 2.0L but with varying degree of tune. The 18d and 20d are available with rear drive, while the the 20ED version is exclusively rear-wheel-driven. All engines are available with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The petrol range has been overshadowed by the sheer availability of diesel variants. For the US market, X1 can be had in sDrive28i, xDrive28i and xDrive35i. While the highly-tuned 2.0L TwinPower Turbo received the 8 speed autobox, the older N55 unit in xDrive35i make do with just 6 speed automatic gearbox.

The introduction of the X1 LCi also marked the introduction of BMW Lines for this particular model. In addition to the standard and M Sport, customer can now choose either Sport of xLine trim.  The BMW xLine particularly emphasises the robust versatility of the new BMW X1 while the BMW Sport Line accentuates its agility and dynamics via their exclusive, harmoniously matched design and equipment features.

Large gallery of BMW X1 LCi can be found after the jump.
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