Malaysia Motoring News - new article for today

Mazda MX-5 updated with fresher look, sharper throttle response and enhanced braking

Posted: 05 Jul 2012 10:00 AM PDT



Mazda has injects some age-prolong agent into its ever popular MX-5 Roadster (and Folding Hard Top model too) for 2012. The update was leaked some days back via the grainy brochure scan HERE, but this is the real deal, on sale since today.


For the second round of facelift, Mazda has redesigned the front bumper that include the latest Kodo design element with more angular and larger front grille opening. The headlamp bezel is now black for the roadster and chromed for the folding hard top. Other exterior updates include new soft top color option as well as a new design for 17" alloy.
For the interior, Mazda has enhanced the ambience with glossy dark gray trimmings inserts for the steering wheel garnish and the dashboard garnish. The roadster gets the same trimming for the meter binnacle while the hard top version is chrome-trimmed.

Quite a weird update has make an appearance with this updated Mazda MX-5, i.e the safety update in terms of the introduction of Active Hood which pop up the trailing edge of the hood to help cushioning the impact to the pedestrian head. Usually this kind of fundamental update comes with an all-new version due to the fundamental design change, but perhaps Mazda has found a simpler way to incorporate this new safety mechanism.

Mechanically, Mazda MX-5 is the same good old version, but Mazda claimed it has sharpened the response of the manual version with sharper throttle response while both automatic and manual version gets a revised brake booster that enhanced braking performance. Powertrain unit of the RWD roadster/hardtop remains a MZR 2.0L engine.

Some more photos of the updated Mazda MX-5 can be found after the jump.
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Cheaper Honda Freed now on sale - S-spec at RM99,800

Posted: 05 Jul 2012 06:46 AM PDT



Honda Malaysia has introduced a cut-priced version of its small MPV, the Freed. Previously available in in "E" guise which it pitched at high-ish RM113,493.50, the lowered spec "S" variety can be bought for RM99,800. It is virtually identical to the current version as the omission is limited to the deletion of powered sliding door (well, major deletion MMN would say), variable intermittent wiper, auto airconditioning, ALPINE DVD player. Other safety and comfort features remain intact.


For the uninformed, Honda Freed is a small MPV derived from Honda Jazz platfrom. It is quite a tiny 7 seater, measures only 4,215mm long, 1,700mm wide, 1,735mm tall and rides on 2,740mm wheelbase. It is suspended on McPherson struts up front and H-shaped torsion beam at the back. Honda Freed is powered by the 1.5L SOHC i-VTEC engine kicking a class leading 118PS@6,600rpm of power and 146Nm@4,800rpm of torque. The mill is mated a 5 speed automatic transmission with Shift Hold Control.

Nissan's Almera, B-Segment Vios challenger coming at RM70k+

Posted: 05 Jul 2012 06:19 AM PDT


Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is set to capitalize in the lucrative foreign-brand B Segment market with the introduction of Nissan Almera. According to many sources, Nissan Almera will be launched in September 2012, which raised a question why the sales advertisement and Mudah.my adverts pop up so early. All the spyshots before this referred the car as Sunny/Almera as these are the names used interchangeably between various market, and if these adverts are anything to go by, it will indeed will be called Almera.

The advertisement in Mudah.my links are:

For Malaysian market, Nissan Almera will come in the 1.5L guise which means it is from the HR15DE variety punching out 99bhp and 134Nm. From the advert above, the car will be available with 5 speed manual gearbox, while the automatic transmission will be of the 4 speed variety. The quoted fuel efficiency figure from Singaporean version is 6.3L/100km and 6.9L/100km respectively for the manual and automatic version.

Dimensionally, Nissan Almera is 4,425mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,500mm tall. The wheelbase is 2,600mm. Comparatively, Toyota Vios is 4,300mm long, 1,700mm wide and 1,460 tall while it rides on a shorter 2,550mm wheelbase. Honda stylish City meanwhile is 4,395mm long, 1,695mm wide and 1,475mm tall while the wheel distance stretched 2,550mm too. In terms of chassis, Nissan Almera shares a common type of McPhersons strut and torsion beam setup like the rest of its competitor. More details of Nissan Almera and photos of Singaporean spec cars can be traced back to MMN articles back in March 2012.
 
 
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