Sony reveals more details on PS Vita

Previously known as NGP, the new Sony PS Vita was announced last week during E3 fair in Los Angeles. Sony has now provided more details by posting a broad FAQ section on its website.

US Carrier, 3G

One of the two PS Vita versions offers 3G connectivity and the device will be sold through cell-phone provider AT&T exclusively in the US - but no word on AT&T data plans and pricing yet. Vita cannot be used as a cell phone and the VoIP support is unclear. Sony also says the console will not be region specific.

Games medium

There's no Universal Media Discs (UMD) support, instead there will be a new format of an unknown name and capacity which the FAQ section says will be "a small flash memory based card." That means it will be possible to store save games directly on the card, as well as additional game content data. Sony also clarified the compatibility issue - there are no plans on making PS Vita compatible with PS2 and PS3, though it will be possible to play PSP titles, minis and PSone classics.

No 3D, no gaming on the TV

Nintendo decided to feature the stereoscopic 3D technology (glasses-free) in its newest handheld console Nintendo 3DS, but Sony studied the glasses-free 3D technology and decided not to install it, focusing on the features and spec instead.

PS Vita does not support HDMI or video output in any form. That means it won't be possible to play games on bigger screen in contrast to PSP 3004, which supports video out.

Sony is still unclear on which functions other than gaming will be available, including Flash, YouTube, PDF, Remote Play, SenseMe or Skype support and there's no word on exactly how many games will be available at launch, nor their pricing.

Profitable within 3 years

In a recent Reuters interview, Sony consumer products head Kaz Hirai said that Vita is expected to be profitable within 3 years. That means in terms of Vita, Sony sticks to their well-known, patient 10-years console cycle ... it is rumored that Sony is still losing money on PS3 launched 5 years ago (in terms of hardware sales).-gizmag.com

What’s Wrong With This Picture: Lotus And The Chinese Branding Conundrum Edition

The auto enthusiast world has been torn apart of late by the re-boot of the Lotus brand, which is transitioning from hard-core enthusiast niche manufacturer to mass-appeal, high-end, branded premiumness. The photo above shows the first steps towards building a Porsche or Ferrari-like brand: Lotus Originals sells leather jackets and other branded goods in order to build up the exclusive appeal that the brand needs to bank on once its new cars arrive. But in China, Lotus’s branding issues are going to require more than just some sexy young things pouting in leather jackets while artlessly assembled around a piece of Lotus’s brilliant past.China Car Times reports that Lotus parent company Proton’s China-market deal with new Saab partner Youngman has already created some issues, namely

UK’s Lotus will enter the Chinese market on June 15 this year, but its Chinese name is Lu Te Si (“路特斯” – a transliteration of Lotus) rather than the well-known Lian Hua (“莲花” – Chinese for Lotus Flower), because China’s Youngman Lotus has used the famous brand to market its cars first, and Lotus does not want consumers to get confused between the low cost products from Youngman and its own high end sports models.

Youngman Lotus exhibited a Lotus sports car Europa at the Shanghai Auto Show this year, which is seen by Lotus as the latest irregular move violating the agreement with Proton, the parent of both Lotus Car and Youngman Lotus.
Some industry insiders believe that the problem between Lotus and Youngman Lotus may not be limited to brand. Some think there won’t be peace between the two as Lotus enters the Chinese market.

You see, Proton has allowed Youngman to prominently display its oblique ties to Lotus on its badge, as well as on performance-oriented versions of its license-built Proton front-drive cars. These tacky tuner cars were a poor reflection on the Lotus brand before it got its new emphasis on high-end branding, and now they’re just embarrassing. And with China accounting for huge amounts of growth at the high end of the car market, Lotus, Proton and Youngman need to sit down and figure out how they’re going to square this branding circle. Will the Lotus brand continue to be pulled between two versions of itself in China, just as it has in Formula One? Or will Dany Bahar’s mob force Proton to yank branding rights from non-Lotus approved road cars? It’s yet another lesson from the Chinese market: don’t introduce a brand until you really know what you want to do with it. After all, Proton’s desire to cash in on the Lotus name in order to move more Satrias and Personas may just have hurt Lotus’s comeback in one of the most important markets in the world.-thetruthaboutcars.com

2011 Hyundai Elantra prices and details for Australia

Hyundai Australia has revealed the prices for the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra, which will be launched at the Australian International Motor Show on July 1.

Prices for the new Elantra will range from $20,590 for the entry-level Active manual to $28,990 for the top-spec Premium automatic.

The starting price is $1000 more than the base model Hyundai i30 hatch, although it is equal to the 2.0-litre i30 SX, which is a closer comparison in terms of performance.

The 1.8-litre four-cylinder MPI petrol engine in the Elantra produces 110kW of power and 178Nm of torque (5kW more, 8Nm less than the i30 2.0). A six-speed manual transmission will be available only in the Active, while a six-speed automatic will be optional in the Active and standard in the Elite and Premium models.

When teamed with the manual, the Elantra achieves 6.6 litres/100km on the combined cycle (8.4 litres/100km city, 5.6 litres/100km highway) and emits 158g/km CO₂.

Auto Elantras will use 7.1 litres/100km on the combined cycle (9.4 litres/100km city, 5.7 litres/100km highway) and emit 169g/km CO₂.

These figures make the Elantra more efficient than the i30 2.0-litre hatch, which uses 7.2 litres/100km with the five-speed manual and 7.6 litres/100km with the four-speed automatic.

The Elantra will also be more fuel efficient than the petrol versions of the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, Mitsubishi Lancer, Kia Cerato, Holden Cruze 1.8-litre and the new 2.0-litre Ford Focus. The turbocharged Cruze 1.4iTi will better the Elantra, as will the entry-level 1.6-litre Focus Ambiente, which arrives in Australia in August.

The all-new Elantra is 4530mm long, 1775mm wide, 1435mm tall (for comparison’s sake, the Holden Cruze is 67mm longer, 13mm wider and 44mm higher). The boot will have a cargo carrying capacity of 402 litres.

The Active will come with 15-inch steel wheels, cloth interior trim, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and audio streaming, six speakers, AUX/USB/iPod inputs, steering wheel audio controls, manual air conditioning and cruise control.

The mid-spec Elite adds 16-inch alloys, auto headlights, front fog lights, rain sensing wipers, rear park assist, piano black interior highlights, push button start with proximity key, dual-zone climate control, premium steering wheel and a luggage net with hooks.

The Premium steps up with 17-inch alloy wheels, dark black chrome grille, tilt and slide sunroof, leather upholstery, electric driver’s seat with lumbar adjust and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

All models come with full-sized spare wheels (alloys for Elite and Premium) as well as a safety package that includes six airbags (dual front, side and curtains), electronic stability control, traction control and seatbelt reminders for all passengers.-caradvice.com.au

2011 Hyundai Elantra manufacturer’s list prices (excluding government and dealer charges):

• Active manual – $20,590
• Active automatic – $22,590
• Elite automatic – $25,590
• Premium automatic – $28,990

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 16th June 2011

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 16th June 2011 is now available for downloading. 

Click HERE to download.

Ubek-ubek Proton Exora Termurah

Meski merupakan Proton Exora dengan grade paling rendah alias termurah, bukan berarti Proton melakukan downgrade berlebihan pada Exora Star.

Dengan banderolan harga sebesar Rp 154 juta Proton sudah menyediakan Exora Star dengan standar yang pas untuk keluarga meski minus fitur canggih seperti airbag, ABS, EBD, dan tanpa pelek alloy. 

PT Proton Edar Indonesia (PEI) memberikan satu unit tes Exora Star untuk dites jurnalis otomotif yang mengikuti jumpa pers pada Sabtu (11/6/2011) lalu di Hotel Borobudur. Test drive dilakukan dengan mengelilingi hotel tersebut.



Kesan pertama melihat Exora Star, mobil ini terlihat tidak mengalami perbedaan jauh dengan Exora varian lainnya. Perbedaannya kalau dari luar adalah penggunaan steel wheel ketimbang pelek alloy pada model lain.



Namun fitur seperti tinted glass, side body moulding, mud guard dan door visor sudah tertanam di Exora Star.

Perubahan lainnya pada lis chrome belakang dihilangkan dan diganti dengan cat hitam. Tetapi itu tidak menanggalkan kesan sporty pada Exora Star.



Apalagi di bagian belakang kirinya terdapat emblem Ride & Handling Lotus. Proton seakan-akan ingin memberikan jiwa mobil sport Lotus ke Proton Exora.

"Untuk mobil MPV, Exora termasuk best in class. Saya sudah mencoba MPV lain namun Exora menurut saya handlingnya paling bagus. Bodinya tidak membuang ketika mobil berada di tikungan," ujar pembalap penguji F1 LRGP (Lotus Renault Grand Prix) Fairuz Fauzy yang mendampingi para wartawan melakukan test drive.



Melihat kabin mobil, Exora Star menawarkan kabin lapang untuk kelas MPV. Sayang, Proton hanya menyediakan varian manual untuk Exora Star. "Tidak ada versi otomatisnya," ujar Head of Product Strategy Sales & Marketing PT Proton Edar Indonesia Robby Prakoso.

Sedangkan bahan joknya masih menggunakan fabric. Fitur untuk kenyamanan pengendara dan penumpang seperti power steering, central door lock, power window, alarm system, driver seat height adjuster sudah dipasang. Rear blower pun tersedia di kabin belakang agar penumpang tidak kepanasan.

Bagasi belakang pun luas, dan untuk membantu barang-barang yang disimpan di bagasi teratur dengan rapi, Proton menyediakan jaring yang terpasang di bagasi.

Menariknya lagi, beberapa bagian dari Exora Star ini sudah menggunakan parts dari Indonesia. Robby mencontohkan head unit yang terdapat di Exora Star sudah menggunakan part lokal.



Proton pun berjanji akan lebih meningkatkan lagi kandungan lokalnya.

Sementara mesinnya masih menggunakan mesin Campro CPS 1.600 cc 4 silinder DOHC dengan 125 tenaga kuda (pada 6.500 rpm) dengan torsi 150 Nm pada 4.500 rpm. 

Dengan transmisi manualnya tarikan Exora Star lebih responsif. Koplingnya tetap terasa enteng. Jika dipacu di jalanan, Exora Star bisa ngebut sampai 165 km per jam.



Untuk ukuran MPV 1.600 cc dan harga Rp 154 juta, tentu cukup menggiurkan bukan?-oto.detik.com