Malaysia Motoring News - new article for today

Peugeot 408 - specification & gallery

Posted: 27 May 2012 01:55 AM PDT


Peugeot 408 is a C Segment sedan designed for the emerging market such as China, Russia and Malaysia. It sits on a lengthened Peugeot 308 platfrom, which was lengthened by 98mm. It is available in wide range of engine, covering both gasoline and diesel. However in Malaysia, the locally-assembled Peugeot 408 comes in two flavour, 2.0L NA and 1.6L THP. The 2.0L is the cheaper of the two despite the engine capacity, and is tuned for more sedate driving. Meanwhile, the 1.6L THP gets the powerful 240Nm lump, higher specified and carries higher price tag too. The 2.0L is priced at RM109,888, while the 1.6L THP is priced at RM125,888, which is bang on the Honda Civic 2.0S territory.

The 2.0L version is powered by the DOHC 16V unit with VVT displacing 1,997cc. The unit kicks out 145bhp@6,000rpm and 200Nm@4,000rpm. The powertrain is mated to archaic-sound 4 speed automatic, but equipped with Tiptronic and Sport courtesy.In this specs, the car is shod with 215/50 R17 tyres. Maximum speed is claimed to be 195 km/h while 100 km/h sprint can be done is 12.5s.

The 1.6L version is powered by now-famous 1,598cc lump with force induction. It features twin scroll turbo with direct injection. It delivers 163bhp@6,000rpm and punching out an excellent 240Nm of torque from lowly 1,400rpm. This is the real deal of a turbocharged 1.6L engine. Drive is channelled via the 6 speed automatic transmission that also comes with adaptive, sport and Tiptronic mode. Compared to the 2.0L version, the tyres are fatter, comes from 225/45 R17 variety. Century sprint is 9.2s while the top speed is 215 km/h. This version complies with Euro 5 emission legislation, while the cheaper alternative is Euro 4 compliant.
Peugeot 408 is 4,682mm long, 1,815mm wide and 1,525mm tall. It rides on a 2,710mm wheelbase. The long rear overhang of 1,032mm helps it to swallow 562L worth of luggage, which is also assisted by the compact torsion beam rear suspension. Front wheel movement is controlled via McPherson struts. Ventilated disc is used up front, while rears are taken care by the solid item.

Moving on to the interior, Peugeot 408  dashboard is virtually identical to the Peugeot 308 hatchback sibling. One thing to note here is that Peugeot is more skillfull in dashboard texturing. The top portion of the dashboard is the soft padded plastic, contributes greatly to quality perception. The upper portion of the door trim carries the same texturing. Despite the use of hard plastic here, it does not looks any cheapskate. The rest of the interior is typical Peugeot, pure Gallic in nature.

Typical to all Naza-produced car, Peugeot 408 is comprehensively equipped. Both versions of Peugeot 408 comes with an automatic dual-zone climate control system, rear aircond vents, 6 speakers sound system that plays CD/MP3, USB and Bluetooth, tilt and telescopic steering adjustment, one touch power window with anti-pinch for all four windows, cruise control with speed limiter function, 17" alloy wheels, Follow Me Home light function, automatic light and wiper and automatic retractable side mirror. The more expensive 408 Turbo gets additional luxury touch such as premium leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with aluminium inserts, auto-dimming rear view mirror and a rear armrest with two cup holders. The 408 Turbo also comes with aluminium insert for the pedal.

In terms of safety, both variants feature two smart airbags, ABS, EBD and EBA. Opting for the 408 Turbo version will get you front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, electronic stability programme (ESP) and anti-skid regulation (ASR).

Gallery of both variant can be found after the jump.
Read more »

BMW updates the 7 Series flagship

Posted: 26 May 2012 09:12 PM PDT


Among all the modern day BMW, the flagship 7 Series is the oldest one, and it looks like one too. BMW technology and design evolution do not follow the same coincidence cycle. For example, the 7 Series might have debuted some of the electronic trickery that has been filtered down to the mainstream model, but the updated design philosophy only debuted with the new 1 Series and 3 Series. In an attempt to prolong relevancy of its flagship series, BMW has thrown in some updates to keep the model fresh. The new BMW 7 Series reinforces BMW's commitment to building the finest flagship model possible with a focus on sporting elegance, superb refinement and luxurious comfort combined with efficient yet high performance powertrains.

Small design enhancements, including new optional Adaptive LED headlights, accentuate the strong, powerful lines and balanced proportions inherent to the 7 Series. Inside and the pursuit of innovation is apparent with an enhanced control display and a new optional multi-function Instrument panel providing access to the latest in BMW's ConnectedDrive technology. Additional in-car refinement measures and further optimisation of the 7 Series' chassis have led to an even higher level of driving comfort for the occupants.
 On the powertrain front, the updated 7 Series features a revised range of highly efficient engines, a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox and the full array of EfficientDynamics technologies thus the new BMW 7 Series combines enhanced performance with significantly reduced emissions and fuel consumption. 

From the front, the new 7 Series now presents the latest version of the famous BMW kidney grille which features a larger aperture but with nine instead of 13 slats for greater visual impact. In the lower section a full-width air intake is now split into three sections, defined by a pair of chrome bars on the outer edges and flanked by vertical air intakes that form part of the advanced aerodynamic package. The headlight internals also have been updated with the graphic that is more in-line with the new 1 and 3 Series. At the back, additional chrome element has been added at the lower valence, connecting the reflectors as well as connecting the rear light (which anyway has more red lens). Side mirrors gain an LED indicator too. The car also sits 8mm lower than before.

The interior has been re-crafted with newly design front leather seat, new 1,200 watt Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System and an optional rear seat entertainment system. 
The powertrain range kicks in the entry level 730i which runs on the naturally aspirated 3.0L punching out 258bhp and 310Nm. The next up is the BMW 740i powered by the superb TwinPower turbo 3.0-litre straight-six, a pioneer of BMW's integration of twin-scroll turbo technology with direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS and Valvetronic for maximum throttle response and power with highly efficient consumption. The engine has a peak power output of 320hp and a maximum torque of 450Nm. 

Fans of a higher powered version should opt for BMW 750i that comes with a revised version of the TwinPower turbo 4.4-litre V8, with optimised high pressure direct fuel injection and reduced charge cycle losses thanks to the clever integration of Valvetronic variable control of intake valve lift. The engine now delivers 10per cent more power at 449hp, and 8.5per cent more torque at a mighty 650Nm, developed over a broad rev band – enough for a 0-62mph sprint of 4.8 seconds. 

Gasoline range topper meanwhile is the 760Li powered by an  all-aluminium, 5,972cc V12 features TwinPower turbo technology, direct fuel injection and Double-VANOS variable camshaft control to produce 544hp and 750Nm of torque from as low as 1,500rpm. Predictably, this gives the 760Li superb acceleration and speed (0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds and the top speed is limited electronically to 250 km/h), all delivered with the silky refinement. More details after the jump.
Read more »
 
 
Posted by:

Tag: