THE STAR Sunday 12 January 2014

StarSpecial

MOTORING

motoring guide
The best offers in town and the hottest cars available this year.
The right time to buy > 6-7 Buying new or used? > 8 Lifestyle options > 10

Chinese New Year

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Highway contacts
IT can be really frustrating when you enter a paid highway and end up in a massive crawl. The smartest thing to do is to call the highway operators to ask about the trac condition before embarking on your journey. This will certainly help you to plan a better and smoother route. Below is a list of numbers for the major highways used regularly during the festive season. Take them down and save them in your phone because you can also use these number to inform the operators of an accident or if there is a foreign object in the middle of the highway. Renault Megane RS 265, a performance car which can also double up as your family hatchback. PLUSLINE 1800 88 0000, 03-7801 6666, 03-7666 4666 (PLUS covers the PLUS highway, NKVE, Federal Highway, Penang Bridge, Butterworth Kulim Expressway, Second Link and Seremban-PD highway) East Coast Expressway or LPT 09-547 9111 KESAS Highway 03-5633 7188 LATAR (KL-Kuala Selangor highway) 03-6145 1515 LKSA (Kemuning-Shah Alam Expressway) 1 300 88 2801 LEKAS (Kajang-Seremban expressway) 1 800 888 021 SKVE (Puchong to Teluk Panglima Garang, Klang) 1 300 88 0025 GUTHRIE expressway 1 300 88 0035 MEX (KL Putrajaya expressway) 03-8315 9111 SILK highway (Kajang Trac Dispersal Highway) 03-8921 0123

Time to rethink your mobility options

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HINESE New Year is around the corner and what would be better than to drive back in a shining new car. In times like this, getting the best offer is the smartest thing one should do. Bear in mind that a new car can actually help lower your bill. A new car means spending less on your maintenance bill (and some car companies are offering a free maintenance package) and more importantly, new cars have better fuel eciency, which means you save on fuel. If your car is six years old or older, you might want to think about getting a new car. Newer cars are also more technologically advanced, which means a safer vehicle for you and your loved ones. Travelling by public transport is a good thing, especially in a city where trac is bad and parking fees can cost a bomb. Unfortunately, this option does

Peugeot 508SW GT, you might need a wagon instead of a bigger MPV. not suit many people. Those who are in the sales line and those who are always on the go will need their own mode of transportation to get their job done. For those who fall under this category, we strongly recommend getting a small car, one which consumes lesser fuel and is friendlier to the environment. In this months issue, we have provided many articles which might help you rethink your options. We have listed down car companies and their festive season offers, travelling tips during the festive period and also a guide on buying new or used vehicles.

When is the right time to change? Regardless of whether you intend to buy a vehicle, it is always good to keep yourself abreast of what is going on in the market. Cars are now more of a necessity to many of us and only by thinking smart can we ensure our investment in mobility pays back handsomely.

Planning your festive drive home

OUR country celebrates many festivities, which means that for many times each year, our interstate highways get clogged up by Malaysians wanting to be home for the holidays. Working around the holiday exodus is a dilemma that most Klang Valley denizens face at least once a year. So, how do we get back in the most ecient and quickest way possible, and safely at that? Before going on a journey, make it a point to do a quick car check-up. Remember to lift up the hood to inspect engine oil and coolant levels. For those who are not using maintenance-free batteries, it might be wise to top up your battery with distilled water as well. you are heading up north, where trac can become very bad with hordes of city dwellers heading to their homes in Perak, Kedah and Penang respectively. The drive from KL to Penang can be an early morning to late night affair on a busy day. Travelling past midnight is a popular solution to beating the crowd but if you choose to do so, remember to get sucient rest beforehand and be alert on the road. Southbound trac tends to be concentrated in the Seremban region and eases off beyond that. However, this could mean many hours wasted for those wanting to head to Johor. Often, time can be saved by using the back-roads of Nilai to get to Negri Sembilan and from there, the coastal road to get to Malacca, where you can get back onto the highway with less hassle. This applies to other places as well, where B-roads are less likely to be jammed as opposed to highways. This is where modern technology such as Waze and Google Maps may prove useful. If you have reservations about using an unfamiliar alternative road, opt for the safer option and stay on the highway. Having some food and water on standby is useful, especially with many kids on board as you can never predict the severity of festive trac for sure. No matter how the journey goes, just stay calm and drive safely as your loved ones are eagerly awaiting your arrival back home.

Some roads, such as the bumpriddled Karak highway heading to the East Coast, as well the occasional dirt path you might need to traverse on the way home, may be less forgiving to your tyres. Always be on the safe side and check tyre pressure and tread levels.

Before you hit the road, be aware of peak travelling hours. If you set off after lunch on the eve of a holiday for instance, be prepared to crawl for lengthy periods. Travelling at least two days before an actual holiday is advisable if possible. This is especially important if

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2014 outlook: Whats hot?

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AR companies denitely want to kick harder this year. Barely into the new year and UMW Toyota has launched its latest version of its popular C-segment, the Corolla Altis. Then Peugeot ups the game by ushering in its 2008 mid-size crossover, with a price that has surprised many. Below are the models which are denitely worth the wait.

Techno bits
NOTICE how cars are becoming increasingly equipped with electronic gadgets? By loading its vehicle with more toys is one way a car company can get ahead of its competitors. Here are some tech bits we have on cars and electronics. l On average, a modern car now has more than 5km of wire, which adds to roughly around 70kg of weight.

Peugeot 2008
Peugeot calls it an urban SUV. We call it a mid-size SUV. It runs on a 1.6-litre VTi engine, good for 122hp and 160Nm and it can reach a top speed of 190km/h. It is, however, only available in front-wheel drive with a fourspeed automatic transmission. The drivetrain is basic, which justies its affordable pricing at RM119,888 but there is nothing basic about how it looks.

Citroen DS3
Do you want something as fancy as the Mini but costs a lot less? Citroen has introduced the DS3 with the Mini in its radar. Powered by a 1.6 VTi non-turbo engine with 120hp and 160Nm, the DS3 is a very stylish hatchback. Expect Naza to include a lot of niceties in the car, such as 17-inch alloys, active headlights, LED daytime running lights, six airbags and traction control, among others. The estimated price for the DS3 is around RM125,000.

l Just like an oce, cars use networking systems to communicate with each device. The new BMW X5 uses Ethernet to get hi-resolution pictures from its surround-view parking cameras. It is 30% lighter and of course, cheaper. Peugeot 2008. l The average car nowadays carries around 25 ECUs (Electronic Control Units). The premium ones carry more than 100 ECUs. l Six years ago, Ford started using a computer operating system (OS) in cars with Microsoft Sync. Since then, more than 10 million Ford cars have been tted with Sync. l Apples iOS is accepted in many cars, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Honda and Ferrari. However, in order to activate these functions, you will need an iPhone. l The Proton Suprima S has an Android-based touch screen head unit, but it has been locked so that you cannot download applications freely. l Nokia also has something for the car. Called the HERE, it is a free navigation apps offering an end-to-end driving solution for car makers. Basically, cars now have more processing power than the Apollo that took Neil Armstrong and his friends for their moon trip! on the rst quarter of the year and should be priced at approximately RM125,000.

Toyota Altis
Be prepared for the stylish look of the new Altis. Using the companys new design language, the new Altis comes in three disguises - 1.8E, 2.0G and 2.0V. Prices are RM114,000 for the 1.8E,

RM123,000 for the 2.0G and RM136,000 for the 2.0V. As before, all variants come equipped with two airbags but only the V-spec gets traction control.

New Mazda3
The new C-segment sedan from Mazda certainly apes the looks of its bigger brother, the Mazda6. It still has a long bonnet look, which suggests its athletic ability and the Kodo design styling certainly adds a lot of drama to its exterior. Expected to be launched in March, the Mazda3 will have a 2.0-litre variant, imported from Japan.

appy paddles to help you shift through its dual-clutch automatic gearbox. The Clio has three modes to offer, and you can change the engine sound to a few choices. It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds with top speed of up to 230km/h. Expected to be launched mid this year, the Clio will be priced around RM170,000.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Hyundai is denitely on a roll. Fresh after rolling out its i40 that had a lot of European specs, it will soon have a new car for its local showrooms. The Genesis Coupe will be introduced in Malaysia soon and we suspect the engine will be the 4-inline twin-scroll turbo 2.0-litre unit that is good for 275hp and 375Nm. Transmission will be an eight-speed automatic. The is no price indication at the moment but we are sure this car will breach the RM200,000 mark. Can Malaysians accept a Korean car with that kind of pricing? We will just have to wait and see.

Ford Fiesta ST
Hot hatch fever is back in town, and Ford will bring its new Fiesta ST to play. Shown at last years Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show, the three-door ST has a 1.6 litre EcoBoost turbo-charged engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. It does 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 223km/h. Its price should be at approximately RM150,000.

Citroen DS3.

Kia Cerato Koup

The Cerato sedan received a warm welcome after its launch and the two-door version, the Koup is expected to do better. Judging by its looks alone, this car is sexy and it stands alone in a lonely segment. It is expected to have a 1.6 litre turbo-charged unit, with 201hp and 265Nm on tap. It is expected to be launched

Renault Clio RS 200 EDC

If you want something more hi-tech than the Fiesta ST, the Clio RS has the perfect package. It comes equipped with ve doors, a 2.0 litre turbo-charged engine that gives you 200hp and 240Nm. The Clio comes with a pair of

Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class W222

The new S-Class will make its way to Malaysia this year. Carrying a new exterior styling that has plenty of curves, the new limousine is certainly sportier than ever. The S-Class is also the rst car that uses LED bulbs all around, and the headlight has 56 LED bulbs each while the interior has around 300 LED bulbs. Its models range include the S 400 Hybrid, S 500, S 350 BlueTEC and S 300 BlueTec Hybrid.

Mazda 3.

Kia Cerato Koup.

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StarSpecial, Sunday 12 January 2014

MOTORING 7

The right time to buy your new wheels

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T is that time of the year when car companies begin their Chinese New Year promotion and campaigns. Some of the deals on offer are sensational so this is denitely the right time for you to get your new set of wheels.

Suprima S might be Protons best

Peugeot Malaysia
This French brand offers some of the best deals in town. Under its Prosperity Drive Campaign, anyone who purchases the 208, 308 Turbo, 308 Griffe, 408 Turbo, 408 2.0L, 3008, 508 Turbo S, 508 Premium, 508 GT and 508 GT SW, will receive:
l Low interest rate of 0.98% for an l Five-year free service (inclusive l Eight months of free instalment l A free iPad Mini (only applicable

eight-year loan

of parts and labour)

for the 208 three-door and vedoor variant)

The campaign is only valid until the end of this month. For more information, log on to www.peugeot.com.my or call Peugeot careline number at 1800 886 269

UMW Toyota
The company is having down payment rebates for some of its models:
l Toyota Hilux: RM1,500 rebate l Toyota Camry 2.0G: RM3,000 l Toyota Innova: RM1,000 rebate l Toyota Prius C (Model Year l Toyota Prius 1.8L (Model Year

rebate

2013): RM6,000 rebate 2013): RM7,000 rebate

For more information, you can email customersupport@toyota. com.my or call 1800 8 TOYOTA (86 9682).

Honda Accord.

Ford (Sime Darby Auto Connexxion)

Ford is offering a 1.38% interest rate per year and free shopping vouchers for selected models. Valid from now until Feb 28, the low interest rate offer applies to the Fiesta Sport and Titanium, Focus Sport+ and Titanium+ while the Kuga buyers will receive free shopping vouchers. In addition, Ford is throwing in its ve-year or 200,000km warranty and Fords Extended Service Plan, which is a three-year or 60,000km free service and maintenance package. For more information, visit www.ford.net.my or call Fords Customer Service hotline at 1800 383 181.

Subaru (Motor Image)

If you fancy an SUV, Subaru is having a grand promotion. The brand has four fantastic promotion packages to choose from if you decide to buy the Subaru XV midsize SUV. The packages are: l A ve-year free maintenance package, which includes labour and parts (except wear and tear parts) l Free insurance (only for the rst year) l Low interest rate, from as low as 1.35% l High overtrade offer, if you trade in your old vehicle The best part is, Motor Image has already slashed the price of the XV to RM129,800.

For more information, visit www.motorimage.net or call 03-7968 1212 or 03-7956 2288.

Honda Malaysia
Honda is offering a fair deal this festive season too. Below are the offers, which do not cover all of its available models here: l Honda City: CNY Ang Pow worth RM888, free labour worth RM2,085 and low instalment (or cash option worth RM7,000). l Honda Civic: CNY Ang Pow worth RM1,888 l Honda Accord - CNY Ang Pow worth RM888 l Honda CR-V: CNY Ang Pow worth RM888 l Honda Jazz Hybrid: CNY Ang

Pow worth RM888, free parts and labour worth RM3,618, free one year road tax and insurance (or cash option worth RM2,495.50) l Honda Jazz 1.5L Petrol: CNY Ang Pow worth RM888 For more information visit www.honda.com.my or contact Honda at 1800 882 020 or 03-7652 2000.

Nissan Edaran Tan Chong

Nissan has a lot on offer this festive season. There are promotions and discounts in addition to overseas holidays if you purchase one of their vehicles. Below is the complete list: l Nissan Teana 2.5L: Free two

return air tickets to Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver or a down payment rebate worth RM15,000 l Nissan Teana 2.0L: Free two return air tickets to London, Athens, Madrid or a down payment rebate worth RM12,000 l Nissan Navara: Free two return air tickets to Maldives, Seoul, Tokyo or a down payment rebate worth RM6,000 l Nissan Serena S-Hybrid: Free two return air tickets to Taipei, Shanghai, Osaka or a down payment rebate worth RM5,000 l Nissan Almera: Free two return tickers to Hong Kong, Colombo, Phuket or a down payment rebate worth RM3,000 l Nissan Grand Livina X-Gear:

Free two return air tickets to Koh Samui, Bali, Hanoi or a down payment rebate worth RM3,000 l Nissan Grand Livina: Interest rate promotion and a down payment rebate worth RM500 l Nissan X-Trail: Interest rate promotion, free Armorcoat Tinting worth RM2,000 and a down payment rebate worth RM3,000 l Nissan Latio: Interest rate promotion, free Solar Gard tinting worth RM1,400 and a down payment rebate worth RM2,500 l Nissan Serena: Interest rate promotion, free DVD player worth RM3,000 and a down payment rebate worth RM5,000 l Nissan Sentra Sport: Interest rate promotion, free Impul Aerokit worth RM3,000 and a

down payment rebate worth RM7,000 For more information, visit www.nissan.com.my or contact Edaran Tan Chong at 1800 888 368.

PROTON has always been known as a maker of good handling cars, although that image is sometimes overshadowed by the fact its cars are priced in the bargain segment. Noticing that small glitch, Proton wants to set things straight with its latest car, the Suprima S. Although mechanically based on the Preve sedan, Proton gives it another name to signal that this model stands on its own. Proton has carried out a lot of research and the weaknesses it found on the Preve have been rectied in the Suprima S. Even its engine has been re-tuned to provide better power delivery while the suspension has been tweaked further to give more focus on handling. We took the Suprima S for a test drive and it is denitely a car that requires a test drive session to be fully appreciated. Aesthetically, the Suprima S looks a bit too much

like the Preve, while the rear has a very straight-forward design. There is a diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper but the tail pipes are hidden away. If this is a car that shouts performance, the hidden tail pipe is certainly an anti-climax. The front gets a new grille and bumper while the LED daytime running lights are now more stylish but overall, it still looks very much like the Preve. Proton denitely needs some new blood in its designing department. The interior is dominated by the big head unit which is sourced from Blaupunkt and runs on an Android OS. You get the normal package, which includes satellite navigation, multi-platform music player, Bluetooth abilities, a DVD player and a reverse camera. The audio quality, again the usual for a Proton, is above average in this category.

The biggest change is under the hood where Proton has re-tuned and remapped the computers so that the charged fuel eciency engine is able to give out more power. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) has also undergone a serious upgrade, where new mountings are now used and additional sound deadening materials are also used. In fact, structural improvements like change of materials were also added. On the highway, the Suprima S sticks to the tarmac like a leech and if you can bear the din it makes in the cabin at high speed, you will want to drive it until the tank goes dry. Body roll was purposely factored in to allow the driver some feeling that the car is hugging the road while the same lateral forces are used to stop the car from getting shaky. Priced at approximately RM80,000, you can expect to see more Suprima S on the roads.

Perodua
Peroduas Chinese New Year promotion this year is only for its Viva models. You get a RM3,000 discount on last years Viva model but if you want this years model, you will only get a discount of RM1,000. The Viva is a perfect second car and for students in colleges. For more information visit www.perodua.com.my or contact them at 1800 886 600. SPECIFICATIONS

PROTON SUPRIMA S PREMIUM

Engine: 1.6-litre Campro turbocharged, Max power: 138hp at 5,000rpm Max torque: 205Nm at 2,000 - 4,000rpm Transmission: 7-speed Punch VT3 + CVT Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km Performance: 0-100kmh: 9.9 secs; 190kmh Price: RM79,929.45 OTR Ford Kuga. Nissan X-trail. Toyota Camry. Subaru XV. The interior has good ergonomics and is well equipped.

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New car vs used car

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AR lovers often nd themselves in a predicament when deciding to call time on their current ride should the next one be new or used? There are plenty of reasons to opt for a set of wheels fresh out of the factory but the second-hand market is marked with many positives as well. The obvious reason to go new is the amazing feeling of knowing that you are the sole owner of the car and not to mention, that unmistakable new car smell. Not needing to share name space in the grant without thinking about what the previous owners did inside the car can be pretty satisfying but buying new gives you more than just that. The biggest advantage of buying new is peace of mind. Companies like Honda and Kia provide ve-year warranties for their new cars, which translates to ve years of not needing to worry so much about an expensive repair bill. Used, or rather old cars are more likely to exhibit mechanical failure, which can be worrisome given that they also often come without any warranties whatsoever. Buying new is always a lot costlier than buying used but the running costs of a new car are sometimes lower than those of a used one depending on what manufacturers offer from time to time. Volvo, for example, gives you free service, inclusive of parts for ve years on the new V40 which is priced from RM174,000. A ve-year-old S40 can be had for half the price but you might need to fork out plenty of cash in another ve years of ownership whereas an owner of a new V40 does not need to spend any money at the Volvo service centre in the same period.

New Honda Accord.

Previous-gen Honda Accord.

precise. Buying used also opens up plenty of opportunities and choices that would have been nancially challenging in the brand new market. RM50,000 cannot even buy you the top-ofthe-range Perodua Myvi in todays automotive market but if you buy a car from a used car dealer, the same amount of cash could get you a regal E46 BMW 3-Series which garners lots of presence on the road. The tempting idea of owning a fancy continental car at local car prices does not come without a catch. Even though an old Bimmer can be bought for the price of a Proton, maintenance and running costs might still be very BMW. The pinch will become more evident when parts need to be replaced, as European car spare parts tend to be very pricey and harder to source. Whether you choose to go new or used, the possibilities are endless and there are benets in both routes. So shop smart, because a car is a big purchase that will very likely be an integral part of your life for many years to come.

Buying a new car comes with many maintenance perks. In many cases, however, the savings made from buying used cars eclipse the potential hefty repair bills that follow. Take Mercs popular W204 C-Class for instance. A brand new C250 is priced close to RM300,000. A two-yearold one can be had for about RM200,000, which equates to RM100,000 or a 33% depreciation over the course of two years. A three-year-old unit goes for about RM180,000. If you had bought a twoyear-old car, your losses will be signicantly smaller, at RM20,000 and 10% in the span of a year, to be

Always check the odometer on a used car.

Motoring terms you should know

BUYING a car requires a tedious process and in excitement to get a new car, we tend to overlook some items. These two terms are very important and you should be wary about them. Extended Warranty Programme (EWP) is a scheme where an insurance company takes on the warranty programme for a certain period of time. For instance, one car company might offer a three-year warranty for its products, but later pays an insurance company to cover the warranty for the next three years. Technically, the car has a veyear warranty but what the car company covers and what the insurance company covers might be different. Even if it is the same, the claiming process might differ. Claiming from a car company is easier than from an insurance company. If a car company offers a long warranty programme, it is best to double check who its partner is. Booking Fee. According to the law, a booking fee should not exceed 1% of the cash price of the vehicle. The booking fee is also part of the deposit and in case the transaction fails, the car dealer should return 90% of the booking fee. The 10% is considered as processing charges. To pay, always insist to pay at the dealership and ensure you receive an ocial receipt. If you feel something is not right, call the oce and ask.

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MOTORING 9

The other option

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S the world moves to greener options, car manufacturers have also come up with a hybrid option. In fact, consumers even have the option of buying electric vehicles. Here is a list of green vehicles available locally. and Prius Luxury (LED headlights, leather seats), the Prius is priced from RM139,915 OTR.

Toyota Prius c
The Prius c is the best compact hybrid and with prices that start from RM97,313 OTR, this is a good second car for those who travel a lot in the city. The Prius c uses the 1.5-litre engine from the previous generation Prius. Its battery pack, however, has been upgraded to nickel-metal hydride and with both power sources combined, the performance of this little hybrid can be quite exhilarating. Two options are offered with the higher one being the TRD Sportivo version, which gets a complete body kit.

Toyota Prius
Running on a 1.8-litre, Atkinson cycle engine and coupled with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack, this car is able to power itself saving energy in the process. When the battery is depleted, the 1.8-litre engine has more than enough power to propel the car eciently. When the battery kicks in to help, load on the engine is reduced and this results in lower power needed from the engine. So far the only complaint about the Prius is its cabin being noisy. This is a trade off as sound insulation in a hybrid has always been secondary. Available in Prius

Nissan Leaf. runs on a 1.5-litre, SOHC i-VTEC engine. It offers 110ps and 172Nm and gets a continuously variable transmission. Fuel consumption for the Civic Hybrid is, however, slightly higher as the engine is a 1.5-litre. The price for the Civic Hybrid is currently at RM119,980 OTR. reach 100kmph in 7.5 seconds and stops at 240kmph.

Nissan Leaf
One of two electric vehicles available for sale here, the Leafs exterior was designed to be super aerodynamic while the interior is a play of space. Using a laminated lithium-Ion battery pack, it runs on 360V power and has a driving range of 195km in between journeys. This is also the rst electric vehicle to get a full 5-star from Euro NCAP. The Leaf can reach top speeds of 140kmph but acceleration is rather slow at 11.5 seconds from 0 to 100kmph. The Leaf starts at RM168,800 and if you decide to purchase one, Nissan will help you install a charging station at your home. If you stay in a high-rise building, you will need clearance from the management to build one.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Designed to look like a more aerodynamic version of the regular Civic, the Civic Hybrid Audi A6.

Audi A6 Hybrid
There is a waitlist of more than a year for those who have ordered this best-selling car that uses a hybrid engine that is below 2,000cc. The Audi A6 Hybrid is also eligible for the duty-free treatment that the government is giving to hybrids and electric cars. At RM280,000 OTR, the A6 Hybrid is certainly a great bargain. Its 2.0-litre, turbo-charged engine with direct injection supplies enough power for the car to run. With a claimed fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100km, this big sedan can still

Toyota Prius.

Toyota Prius C.

Honda Civic Hybrid.

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N SUV these days is no longer just a practical mode of transport, but an extension of ones self and identity. It is almost tough to imagine how much these beautiful SUVs have evolved and that they can actually be used to go off-road. These are some of the hottest ones in the market right now.

Wheels to suit your lifestyle

Peugeot 2008. Mazda CX-5. Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder Boxer Transmission: CVT (6 speed) (AWD) Max power: 150ps at 6,200rpm Max torque: 196Nm at 4,200rpm Safety features: 3 airbags, vehicle dynamics control Price: RM145,070 (OTR with insurance) - FWD High spec, RM154,385 - AWD high Spec (all OTR with insurance)

Peugeot 2008
The rst on the list is the brand new Peugeot 2008. Based on the 208 hatchback, this mini SUV comes loaded with kit. Standard equipment you get in a 2008 are dual zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic roof with mood lighting, a Smart Park Assist, a seven- inch colour touch screen with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker Arkamys 3D sound system and many more. Its power comes from a 1.6 litre VTi four-cylinder engine that produces 122ps and 160Nm of torque, mated to the same fourspeed automatic, identical to the one in the 208. Engine: 1.6L VTi four cylinders Transmission: 4-speed automatic (FWD) Max power: 122PS at 6,000rpm Max torque: 160Nm at 4,250rpm Safety features: 6 airbags, electronic stability programme, anti-skid regulation, dynamic stability control, Isofix anchorage points Price: RM119,888 (OTR with insurance)

Suzuki Jimny
After years of waiting, Suzuki Malaysia has recently launched the Jimny. If the Jimny is assessed based on features, it falls short of the other SUVs listed here. However, this off roader should not be taken for granted as it is the most focused one on the list. The Jimny has enjoyed a strong following from off-road enthusiasts the world over. High ground clearance and rugged body panels make treading the unbeaten path a lot easier for the driver. The Jimny comes with two airbags, anti-lock brake system, electronic brake distribution and brake assist. A naturally aspirated 1.3-litre, four-cylinder produces 84hp and 110Nm of torque, and there is an option to match it to a four-speed automatic or ve-speed manual gearbox. Engine: 1.3L 16 valve four-cylinder Transmission: 5-speed manual/4-speed automatic (AWD) Max power: 84hp at 6,000rpm Max torque: 110Nm at 4,100rpm Safety features: 2 airbags, anti-lock brake system, electronic brake distribution and brake assist Price: RM87,305 manual, RM92,435 automatic (both OTR with insurance)

Mazda CX-5
Ford Kuga. Max torque: 367Nm at 4,250rpm Safety features: 6 airbags, anti-lock brake system, electronic brake distribution, brake assist, dynamic stability control, traction control system, roll stability control Price: RM288,404 (FWD, OTR without insurance), RM328, 404(AWD, OTR without insurance) with anti-lock brake system and electronic brake assist come standard. Engine: 1.6L Ecoboost Transmission: 6-speed automatic AWD Max power: 180ps at 5,700rpm Max torque: 240Nm at 1,600 to 5,000rpm Safety features: 7 airbags, electronic stability programme, anti-lock brake system, brake assist Price: RM159,999 (OTR with insurance) The CX-5 is Mazdas rst attempt at the compact SUV segment. It is also the rst SUV to feature the SkyActiv technology that everyone has been raving about. Having one of the highest compression ratios around, it boasts excellent fuel economy with no sacrice of power. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder SkyActiv engine produces 152hp and 198Nm of torque that is sent to the front wheels or all wheels. The SkyActiv engine is combined with a SkyActiv-G gearbox, which is different from conventional automatics, boasting better shifting times and smoother gearshifts. Engine: 2.0L SkyActiv Transmission: 6- Speed SkyActiv-G (FWD, AWD) Max power: 153hp at 6,000rpm Max torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm Safety features: Dynamic stability control, traction control system, anti- lock brake system, electronic brake distribution with brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring system. Price: RM136.943 - FWD mid spec, RM144,125

Mazda CX-9
Mazdas top of the line model, the CX-9 has recently been given a facelift. The 3.7-litre V6 that is mated to a six-speed automatic produces 274hp and 367Nm of torque powering the front or all wheels. Standard equipment includes a 10-speaker Bose sound system, a reverse camera, a navigation system, automatic headlights and a power lift gate. Engine: 3.7LV6, 24-valve DOHC Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic (AWD/ FWD) Max power: 274hp at 6,250rpm

Ford Kuga
Fords recent addition to its model range, the Kuga is packed to the brim with features. The Kuga features a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine that produces 180ps and 240Nm of torque coupled with a 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. Its features include a smart hands-free opening tailgate, Torque Vectoring Control, AdvanceTrac with roll stability control, curve control, hill start assist and a keyless entry with just a push start. It also has seven airbags, electronic stability programme

Subaru XV
The Subaru XV has been in Malaysia for some time now, and still has not lost its charm. This capable SUV draws power from a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre, four-cylinder boxer engine that produces a decent 150ps and 196Nm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an active torque split all-wheel drive system and the Lineartronic continuously variable transmission gearbox that uses six virtual ratios.

Mazda CX-9.

Subaru XV.

Suzuki Jimny.

Experience is key to success

FOUNDED by Datuk Zainuddin Abd Rahman in 1982, Z aibar Automobile Industries has grown in almost every aspect. With more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, Zaibar has learnt that the only way to move forward is to invest in good helpers. Zaibar boasts a group of seasoned sales consultants, who possess a minimum of ve years working experience in the company. Being car enthusiasts themselves, the sales consultants UK and Japan only. All cars are properly inspected to ensure the year of make and specications match its initial description. Before delivery, the cars are inspected again and serviced at their in-house service centre. This makes it easier for customers as they are then able to send the cars back to Zaibar for maintenance as previously, reconditioned car owners had to nd their own mechanics. The Zaibar Service Centre also keeps records of the cars, which helps increase its resale value in the future. The service centre is also open to the public and the technicians there are familiar with the various makes and models sold in the country. Last year, Zaibar added another feather to its cap when it opened its own motorcycle division. This division specialises in selling reconditioned Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The motorcycles are sourced from the US and only the top grade ones are exported back to Malaysia.

can even give advice on newly purchased vehicle or on car modications. With plenty of hands-on experience, the sales consultants are not just helping

you with your purchase they will be also readily help you out throughout the course of your ownership. Zaibar imports cars from the

StarSpecial, Sunday 12 January 2014

MOTORING 11

People movers
M
ULTI Purpose Vehicle or MPV has certainly changed from its humble beginnings. In Europe, the trend was started by French company, Renault with its Espace MPV (although Renault claim the Espace it the worlds rst MPV). Back home, if you grew up in the 80s, Malaysians actually converted the Toyota Liteace and Nissan C20 vans into their family car. The car companies had only bench seats as options but Malaysians went to the chop shops, bought a pair of car front seats and installed it in the second row. Now, the market of MPV has dwindled down and unless it is priced below RM100,000, the sales gure will not be too high. Here we have three options that might be of your interest. Nissan Serena S-Hybrid.

Mazda Biante. rear two being the tightest. Still, medium-sized adults will have no issue sitting there although boot space will be sacriced, a normal problem with mid-sized MPV. The engine is also the same 1.8L Ecotec engine from the Cruze, but the sixspeed auto transmission has revised ratios to give this Orlando a bit more torque at the lower revs. The result is an MPV that can really drive well. We took this Orlando to the east coast and we were very surprised with its ride and handling and overall performance. This is really an MPV that thinks it is a car. Comfort-wise, it soaked up the bumps pretty well while the body roll is contained just enough to stop your occupants from feeling dizzy, but stiff enough to take that corner without even lifting off the go-pedal. Running on 17-inch wheels, the Orlando has that brutish looks to it, and it is a good think as it stands out in the sea of boxy looking MPVs. Fuel economy claim it 12km/L but we think that is an exaggeration. We got more like 10km/L, which is fair for a 1.8L MPV. The Orlando is priced at RM118,888 excluding insurance.

Mazda Biante
This eight-seater MPV is the 2013 version of the Biante, introduced in this region in Indonesia since last year. Originally designed as a Japanese domestic market model only, Mazda later started exporting to some market. This Biante is a full CBU from Japan, and comes with a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre engine that offers 149hp and 190Nm. Transmission to the front wheels are via a SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission. Exterior wise, the Biante certainly looks modern. High-roof and fancy lights, the Biante looks perfect in an urban scape. The second row of seat is a bench, which can slide forward to give more space to the third row seaters. The latter is also slidable, but unfortunately, it does not fold at into the oor or can be folded to side. This is the only drawback for the Biante. Safety wise, Mazda loaded it with traction and stability control ABS, EBD, Isox for second row seats,

dual airbags and 16-inch alloys. Biante is priced at RM145,719 OTR.

Nissan Serena S-Hybrid

Edaran Tan Chong claims the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is Malaysias rst hybrid MPV. Like the Biante, the Nissan seats eight and comes with similar safety features. Unlike the Biante, the Serena looks a bit tallish as this MPV does have a slightly narrow dimension. Nissan claims this will help owners move around in the city and of course, to park. The interior however belies the narrow exterior. What Nissan did is to ensure the door panels are straight and thinner and the seats are located right next to the doors. The result - you might not have deep door pockets but the Serena is as roomy as its big brother the Elgrand! Power comes from a MR20DD 2.0-litre engine with 145hp and 210Nm.

This direct injection twin CVTC powerplant is then mated to a Xtronic CVT gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control. Being a hybrid, it comes with a small secondary battery to help power the accessories during the Idling Stop cycle. The battery also gives a slight boost to the ECO motor (a starter motor which also functions as an alternator during deceleration), about 54Nm of boost from static. The Serena S-Hybrid does indeed help to save fuel usage. Claimed gure is 15.2 km/L, which is pretty amazing. The price is RM149,500 OTR with three years warranty or 100,000km.

Still, being a mid-sized MPV, the interior must be spacious enough for its genre. Here, Chevrolet used two-tone colour to give the impression of space for the interior, and it works brilliantly. Seating position for the Orlando is 2-3-2, with the

1 Month Free Installment* 1 Year Free Maintenance**

1. Honda Stream RSZ - year 2009-2010 - from RM115,000 2. Toyota Wish - year 2009-2012 3. Toyota Estima - year 2009-2011 4. Toyota Alphard - year 2009-2012 - from RM115,000 - from RM170,000 - from RM190,000 11. Toyota Harrier - year 2010-2011 - from RM180,000

Chevrolet Orlando
Chevrolet might not be a big player here but it does offer some good products, and the Orlando is one of them. Using the Cruze sedan as its platform, the Orlando gets the benet of a very stiff chassis, which is good for ride and handling.

12. Porsche Cayenne - year 2007-2008 - from RM200,000 13. Mercedes CLS350 - year 2005-2006 - from RM150,000 14. Mercedes C200K - year 2010 - from RM170,000 15. Mercedes C180 CGI AMG - year 2010-2012 - from RM180,000 16. Mercedes E250 CGI - year 2011-2012 - from RM250,000 17. Mercedes SLK200 - year 2009-2010 - from RM170,000 18. Mini Cooper S Coupe - year 2011 - from RM185,000 19. Audi A4 S-Line - year 2010 - from RM225,000

5. Toyota Alphard Welcab - year 2010 - from RM195,000 6. Toyota Vellre - year 2009-2012 - from RM190,000

7. Toyota Landcruiser (Diesel) - year 2010 - from RM400,000 8. Audi Q7 S-Line (Diesel) - year 2011 - from RM340,000 9. BMW X6 - year 2008 10. Lexus RX270 - year 2012 - from RM298,000 - from RM318,000

20. Audi A5 Sportsback - year 2012 - from RM288,000

*Terms erms & conditions apply

ZAIBAR AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES SDN BHD (483597-A)

No. 8, Persiaran Kuala Selangor, Seksyen 26, HICOM Industrial Estate, 40400 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan. T: 03-5191 5866 / 7866 / 9866 www.zaibarautomobile.com www.facebook.com/Zaibar.Ofcial

Chevrolet Orlando.

12 StarSpecial

Sunday 12 January 2014