Malaysia Motoring News - new article for today

Kia Sorento facelift fully revealed

Posted: 18 Jun 2012 07:43 AM PDT


The second generation Kia Sorento is approaching its third year in age, and the new facelift is set to transform the whole dowdy look towards more contemporary Kia outlook. Kia's current Sorento was introduced to the market back in 2009, and is more road-biased than its predecessor. Running on a monocoque construction, Kia Sorento sits on a 2,700mm wheelbase while the other vital dimensions measure 4,685mm, 1,885mm and 1,710mm in length, width and height respectively.
For the 2012 update, Kia has given the Sportage face to its bigger SUV. Blending a more stretched-looking headlight is the more dynamic-looking bumper. The grille has been slightly enlarged, with elegant-looking chromed surround. It is simple and effective, with none of the K5 Optima kind of overdone dose of styling elements.

It is the rear end that receives the major makeover. While the outer part of the tail lights housing remain the same in its outline, the inner part (the one that sits on the tail gate) has gone stylo. It receives the same stretched-look like the headlight, with more elegant LED treatment internal graphics. There is a clear surface difference in plane between the upper part of the tailgate, with the one beneath the line that connect the left and right rear light. The slight inwards placement of the panel is a reminiscent of the larger Kia Optima, which is very deliberate in its aesthetic. Consistent with the front fascia, the rear reflector in the redesigned rear bumper is vertical in placement.

According to Kia, the improvement incorporated to the facelifted Sorento include a host of equipment upgrades, "a re-engineered bodyshell" and "a new chassis". Read between the lines and MMN interprets this as a body panel redesign, retuned spring, dampers, bush stiffness and perhaps reinforcement here and there, as well as updated cabin amenities. 

While there is no official release of the interior yet, Kia said it has revised the centre console including the incorporation of 7" touch screen panel, a newly design gear console (with leather shoes even for automatic), new LCD instrument cluster (perhaps like Optima K5) and more application of soft touch plastic.

The drivetrain is set to receive a host of upgrades too, all aimed at increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emission level.

Some more photos of the newly released Kia Sorento facelift after the jump.
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Scoop - 9th generation Honda Accord with interior shot

Posted: 17 Jun 2012 04:00 PM PDT


Honda is set to introduce the ninth generation of its Accord model as the current model approaching its fifth production year soon. The new Honda Accord will be empowered by Honda's new vision, dubbed Earth Dream technology which aims to increase the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) efficiency to the next level.  The new Honda Accord spied on the other side of the world revealed a much leaner looking body styles, where the excessive flab of the current model has been shed. Consistent with the trend set by the new Civic, don't rule out a slight reduction in the exterior dimension, although the interior volume will be at least on par with the current car.
The front end is visibly adopting a slimmer set of headlamp, unlike the bulging out item in the current model. The new headlamps design is expected to be very close to the Honda Accord Coupe Concept introduced earlier this year. The side profile, despite being less flabby the now, is still adorned by a very pronounced waist line. The rear end however still retain the long rear combi setup, clearly seen in the camouflaged car here.

Also seen for the first time is the glimpse of the redesigned cabin. It retains the current wide centre console setup like the current car, bit it is now silver trimmed. The silver bits run around the top part with housed the aircond duct and central screen (likely to be ditched in Malaysian-spec car), while the second layer part is fully silver finished. This section housed the climate control buttons. However, don't be surprise if the concept  of  "slightly cheapen feeling" make it appearance here like it does on the new Civic and CR-V. 

If Mazda has Skyactiv engine series, Honda is poised to set the fire with its new Earth Dream Technology engine. This concept will be adopted across all Honda engine from right down from the K-car class. While the lower capacity variant (less than 2.0L) will adopt the Atkinson cycle, the engine relevant to the Accord class will be enhanced with the direct injection system, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), high tumble port design, Idle Stop technology and various measures of friction reduction technology. The 2.0L and 2.4L engine will be paired with the CVT gearbox (or 6 speed manual) while the 3.5L V6 will be paired with the new 6 speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L Earth Dream engine was revealed to the motoring journalist sometimes some months back and it is tipped to produce 181bhp and 240Nm. The Hybrid version will be available too, this time paired to the 2.0L petrol engine.

Back to the prosthetic, MMN reckoned the Accord coupe concept previewed accurately the front end design of the new Accord, saved for the flashy bumper detailing. So head after the jump to the American coupe version of the Honda Accord.
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