While it is quite doubtful that we will be getting the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback version here locally, there has been much rumor on what will be powering the new hatch.
Luckily for us, someone manage to dig up some interesting information on the drivetrains of new car from the US’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website.

Three different drivetrains has been filed with the agency and it includes the 2.4l (engine code 4B12) engine mated to a CVT or 5 speed manual transmission currently used in the Lancer GTS (US version) and the 2.0l turbocharged (engine code 4B11T?) equipped with 6 speed automatic which is almost certain to be the twin clutch (TC-SST) tranny used in the current Evolution.

So it seems Mitsubishi is finally entering the territory currently dominated by Subaru’s Impreza WRX.

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As customers configure their vehicle on the Product Navigator, a plasma TV on the wall displays video and specs of that exact vehicle. Will we see one soon at our nearest BMW showroom?

BMW will be joining Audi and Mercedes Benz in the turbocharging club soon with its M series of cars which traditionally has almost always been powered by high revving normally aspirated power plants.

The decision to offer direct injection turbocharged engines in its future flagship models has much to do with tougher environmental emission standards and the ever increasing manufacturing cost of V8 and V10 engines found in current M3, M5, and M6 models.

Not a bad thing as Audi and Mercedes Benz has been successfully turbo charging their cars for years with fantastic results. Also do keep in mind that aftermarket tuned versions of BMW’s famous twin-turbo 3.0l inline 6 can easily match the power output of the M3’s 4.0l V8.

The first new M model to carry the turbocharged honor will be the X6 xDrive M, with a twin-turbo 4.4l V8 reportedly making 500 HP and 700Nm of torque. Rumor also has it that this engine will also power the next generation M5 due in 2010.

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Found in Muscat, Oman a Ferrari Enzo being utilized as a taxi, equipped with a roof signage no less.

Can’t see much use of it picking up tourist from the airport, where would the luggage go? Maybe its for those business type who need a short hop across town for a meeting, one of these could get you there in no time.

Wonder how much they charge per 100m of journey on it…

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The photo above is a shot of BMW’s F1 car for the 2009 season. As you may noticed, teams are allowed to use slicks tyres again which increases mechanical grip.

However the rear wing has been shortened so much that it looks somewhat disproportionate from the rest of the car. Apparently this change  is to reduce downforce and speed which in turn should give us more overtaking maneuvers in next year’s season.

The front wing on the car is also much larger and wider (to compensate for the lost of downforce from the rear wing perhaps?) and extra aerodynamic stuff such as winglets and flip-ups on the front wing, nosecone and bodywork are all prohibited.

The big news however is the implementation of a Kinetic Energy Recovery System or KERS hybrid system but not all teams will be implementing them since its still a fairly new technology.

What does all this changes mean for next season? We can’t say for sure yet, but the new car’s looks certainly doesn’t help.

Source: Streetfire

Naza has announced its latest campaign which will be on throughout all Naza network all over the country.

The “Naza Carnival 2008; Get Naza at its best!” campaign will start from 14th November 2008 in support with Tourism Malaysia’s all new Malaysia Savings Sales 2008, officiated by the Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Sri Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Dato’ Othman Said, the Minister of Tourism.

There will be a lot of activities to cater all visitors at Naza Auto Mall, Petaling Jaya on 15th – 16th November from 10am till 10pm from colouring contests, premium giveaway by Naza GT Queens, Bike beauty competitions, and live band performances to Harley Davidson parade, CICAKMAN appearance and performance by Adam (AF2).

The highlight of this carnival will be the opportunity for visitors and customers to win one of the three Naza Blitz 150 offered in the “Visit & Win” contest. For more information, visit www.naza.com.my/carnival

Subaru’s local distributor, Motor Image Group has confirmed that talks are in place to assemble the new Subaru Forester locally during the launch of the new WRX STI.

If successful, the 2.5l turbocharged, all wheel drive, boxed engined SUV will be assembled locally by utilizing Tan Chong’s manufacturing plant.

The new Forrester which currently retails at RM183,400.oo are now CBU units being imported directly from Japan so a CKD version could bring the price down to a more competitive level. Even so, Motor Image is confident to sell 150 units in the coming year with majority of the sales coming from the Forester and the Impreza S-GT.