BMW i3 Electric Car to Debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show?

According to sources close to BMW the German automaker is reputedly working on five models to premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, including its long-awaited i3 electric car. 

BMW has kept details of its first mass-produced electric car quiet, although the ongoing stream of information on the car now in the public domain details aplausible set of specifications : a 112 kilowatt motor married to BMW’s preferred rear-wheel system, a battery pack capable of providing at least 100 miles of range per charge, and a price-tag of around $35,000.

Given these specifications, the BMW i3 sits at the top end of the same price-range and specification set as many electric cars already on the market, including the 2011 Nissan Leaf and 2011 Chevrolet Volt. 

But unlike most cars on the market today, the i3’s body and internal components will be made almost entirely of lightweight composite materials to keep the car’s weight down.  Gone are the steel and aluminum panels of mainstream cars and in its place, carbon-fiber plastic and other tough-but-lightweight materials. 

Shedding pounds in the frame and boy means a lighter car, and a lighter car means a more energy efficient car, so expect the i3 to produce some impressive fuel economy figures when it finally launches in time for the 2013 model year. 

Before you get excited about the other four models reputedly debuting in Frankfurt we should probably point out that the i3 will be the only pure electric model. Alongside it, more conventional gas-guzzling BMWs, including a new M5 with a 555 HP twin-turbo V8, a face-lifted 1-Series, and a new V8-powered M3GTS.

BMW has yet to officially confirm that it will be unveiling the i3 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but given that its 1-series derived ActiveE is scheduled to enter public lease trails in selected markets later this year we think the likelihood we’ll see the i3 this Fall is pretty high.-allsmallcars.com

Mazda Shinari To Make Its Australian Debut At 2011 AIMS

Mazda has confirmed that the stunning SHINARI concept car will make its regional debut when it is displayed at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne from 1 – 10 July.

After being unveiled to critical acclaim at international motor shows in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Geneva, it’s now the turn of the Australian public to get close to SHINARI, the first concept vehicle to be created by Ikuo Maeda in his new role as Mazda’s global director of design.

SHINARI is a four-door, four-seater sports coupe which perfectly expresses Mazda’s ‘KODO-Soul of Motion’ design theme and truly embodies the key elements that will take Mazda design into the future.

KODO- Soul of Motion describes the ultimate form of motion, it captures the moment just as motion begins, it stirs the emotions and evokes a will to drive.

Inspired by an image of a predator ready to pounce, every element of SHINARI is designed to suggest the presence of pent up energy propelling the car forward, giving the feeling that SHINARI is a vehicle in perpetual motion.

The combination of a rearward tapering A-pillar, distinctive front fenders and dynamic body surfaces which appear as if they are constantly transforming make SHINARI look as though it is ready to leap at any second.

Front-on there is no doubt that SHINARI is part of the Mazda family, with a three-dimensional front grille proudly emphasising the Mazda lineage.

The interior of SHINARI is designed to create a completely driver oriented experience. The use of machined aluminium, soft natural leather and dedicated driving ergonomics ensure that the interior is just as striking as the exterior view.

SHINARI represents the next generation of Mazda design and is just one component of what is sure to be one of Mazda’s most exciting and engaging Motor Show displays.

Mazda Australia Managing Director, Doug Dickson is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase SHINARI in front of an Australian audience “This is a concept that truly captures KODO design and provides an insight into the future direction for Mazda design. It is really exciting to have SHINARI in Australia for the first time and to give the Australian public the opportunity to see this truly stunning vehicle up close and in the metal” he said.-theautochannel.com

Passat CC may cost more in Malaysia

Volkswagen Group Malaysia has announced that its Passat CC may cost more as a result of a Customs re-evaluation of imported cars.

Volkswagen customers who have signed a sales contract before April 7 would get the Passat CC at the current price of RM239,888.


Delivery of the latest batch of the model has been delayed by the Customs exercise as the Passat CC are being held up at the port awaiting clearance, said Volkswagen in a statement. "We are currently working with all parties to reach a swift and amicable resolution to this matter," said Volkswagen Group Malaysia managing director Ricky Tay.

The Passat CC, a Passat B6 variant, debuted in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Volkswagen had announced in October 2009 the availability of the Passat CC to the Malaysian market.-motoring.asiaone.com

First Drive: 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S and 2012 Virage

 Lucky for me, I share my initials with arguably the most famous fictional character of all time: Ian Fleming’s “Bond – James Bond.” And for one beautiful day in downtown Montreal, I shared his love of Aston Martins as I sampled the all-new Virage and V8 Vantage S. Both were earlier revealed at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

To the untrained eye all Aston Martins look the same, but after a quick sampling it was obvious that, despite their similarity in exterior and interior designs, these are very different cars with distinct personalities and purposes.

First up was the Virage, Aston’s newest offering. This model’s unveiling increases Aston Martin’s product offerings to the largest in the company’s nearly 100-year history. The Virage is available in 2+2 Coupe or 2+2 Roadster configurations – although if I am being honest, I found the back seats are suitable for no more than some groceries or a purse, as I attempted to crawl back there with no luck.

2012 Aston Martin Virage. Click image to enlarge

The Virage sits in the Aston Martin lineup directly between the DB9 and DBS, providing customers with a car that remains luxurious and understated but still delivers the increased performance and effortless driving expected of a grand tourer.

Like all Aston Martins, the entire vehicle is hand-built and completely customizable by the customer. The interiors are entirely covered in luxurious leathers and real wood trim. With the act of simply sitting in it, without starting it, it becomes obvious that the vehicle is special with the attention to detail and distinctiveness it exudes.

A hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine that produces 490 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque powers the Virage. The only available transmission is a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission with steering column-mounted paddle shifters. A newly-developed Adaptive Damping System (ADS) intelligently “reads” the road to provide optimum road holding, adapting to different conditions. The system selects up to five different stiffness settings within normal mode and a further five within sport mode.

2012 Aston Martin Virage. Click image to enlarge

The standard kit includes Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes, heated seats (sports seats only), cruise control, navigation, Bluetooth and a powerful 700-watt Aston Martin premium audio system.

Starting any Aston Martin is an experience. Insert the key into the dash, hold down and wait for that rumble of the exhaust as it fires up. Unconventional and non-ergonomic is the gear selection, a series of buttons mounted high on the dash, but I suppose one rarely does more than put their Aston Martin into Drive and go.

My time in the vehicle was short but still a pleasure. Most surprising was the ability for the Virage to soak up the crumbling streets of downtown Montreal. Looking for a hot date? This may be your ticket, as the attention was certainly there no matter how understated a colour your Aston may be – there is no denying they are automotive art. Despite their seeming form-over-function design in terms of looks, all the vents louvers and details in the Virage are functional. It proved surprisingly easy to manoeuvre and visibility was shockingly good, although not nearly as good as the sound of the exhaust as it burbled and rumbled, echoing off the buildings in Old Montreal.-autos.ca

Latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 30th May 2011

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 30th May 2011 is now available for downloading. 

Click HERE to download.