The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 20th June 2011

The latest Garmin map for Malaysia & Singapore dated 20th June 2011 is now available for downloading. 

Click HERE to download.

2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Spy Shots

 
We already have a pretty good indication as to what the third-generation 2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class will look like following the unveiling of the Concept A-Class back at the 2011 New York Auto Show, but now we have a new round of spy shots revealing just how much of the stylish concept will actually make it to production.

Looking very much like the leaked patent drawings revealed earlier this year, the A-Class prototype you see here has a fairly conventional five-door hatchback design but with a sloping front-end and Mercedes’ stretched arch design for the cabin.

Under the heavy camouflage gear and sheet metal is a new front-wheel drive platform codenamed MFA (Mercedes Frontwheel Architecture), which drops the former sandwich construction for a more conventional car-like design.

Note, a sportier three-door version with similar proportions to the Concept A-Class is expected, as is a high-performance AMG version with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine spitting out close to 320 horsepower.

As for the standard lineup, expect a selection of turbocharged engines, both gasoline and diesel, as well as the choice of either conventional manual transmissions or a dual clutch automatic. The base engine should be a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter unit with about 210 horsepower on tap.

While Europe will get to see the new A-Class in showrooms by the end of next year, Americans will have to wait until early 2013. Another important issue is that the A-Class will have to be priced below the starting price of the C-Class, which currently lists from $33,990.

By the time the car arrives in the U.S., Mercedes-Benz will have launched several other compact models including the next-generation B-Class, which will retain the tallish van like body of the current model, as well as a new BLS four-door coupe designed to take on the upcoming 2013 Audi A3 Sedan and a possible BLK compact crossover.-motorauthority.com

2012 Ford Fiesta ST revealing spy shots

Ford has again been spotted testing the upcoming Ford Fiesta ST on the Nurburgring in Germany. This time there was hardly any camouflaging placed over the car and almost all is revealed.

From the front we can see there’s going to be a very aggressive front bumper set for the production model. The example on this test mule does seem a bit strange though as it incorporates a large central fascia mould, covering up the Ford badge and grille design. But as per previous shots, we already have a pretty good idea of what the front end will look like.

The front end may also incorporate LED lights behind the plastic mould on this particular test car, which will feature on the production model in accordance with new European design rules. This test car also appears to be wearing a new set of alloy wheels, unseen on previous spy shots, which could be the wheels that will feature on the production model next year.

Providing power for the new model is likely to be a 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing around 140-150kW of power. The engine will help the car sprint from 0-100km/h in around the six-second range, rivalling the likes of the Volkswagen Polo GTI and the Renualt Clio RS 200.

Even though it is yet to be confirmed, the 2012 Ford Fiesta ST is expected to be unveiled in full at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in September. We look forward to providing all the coverage.-caradvice.com.au

Ford's Mad Max Concepts To Show In Melbourne

Mad Max will crash into the 21st century next month with the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) debut of a pair of scale model 'Interceptor' concepts designed at Ford Australia earlier this year.

Developed as an after-hours project inspired by the original Interceptor - a 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon Coupe - the new Mad Max Interceptor concepts are the work of Ford Australia designers Chris Svensson, Todd Willing, Nima Nourian and Simon Brook.

"Our entire team was very excited to be involved in this after-hours project and they approached it with a great deal of enthusiasm - even those that were too young to remember the first Mad Max movie," Svensson said.

"We had a special screening of the original movie so they could understand it."Both Interceptor concepts, at 40 percent scale, are to celebrate the cinematic return of the 30 year-old movie franchise. The new interpretations of the Mad Max original make their global debut at the July 1 opening of this year's AIMS in Melbourne.

Speaking of his Transformer-look concept, Nourian said he was inspired by the original film's high-speed chases and on-road clashes.

"I thought I'd take that one step further, so instead of having weapons and machine guns, we've got an industrial strength taser that'll zap cars dead and out of the way," Nourian said.

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The Australian International Motor Show opens at 6pm on Friday 1 July and runs through until Sunday 10 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Other new models and concepts confirmed for the 2011 AIMS include the 2012 Subaru Impreza, Toyota Prius V and Prius C, the Suzuki Swift S-Concept, thePeugeot 508, the Range Rover Evoque, the Toyota FT-86 II Concept, the 2012 Audi A6 and the 2012 Jaguar XF.

Appearances have also been confirmed for the all-new Lamborghini Aventador, the Lexus LF-Gh concept, the Mazda Shinari concept, and a preview of Australian carmaker JOSS Developments' upcoming JT1 supercar.-themotorreport.com.au

BMW reveals official details and images of 2012 M5

With leaked photos doing the rounds online, BMW has decided to drop the official images and details on its fifth generation 2012 M5.

The much-anticipated super saloon comes packing BMW’s a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine behind its double kidney grille. It shares this powerplant with the X5M and X6M high performance SUVs and the V8 replaces the previous M5′s exotic 5.0-litre V10 unit. The new high-revving engine packs a heavyweight punch with power output of 415kW and peak torque of 680Nm. This marks a huge 30kW and 150Nm increase over its predecessor. Fuel consumption has also been improved with a quoted figure of 9.9l/100km combined.

Transferring power to the rear wheels is a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission linked up to an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential. A manual transmission is expected to be added at a later date.

Performance figures are impressive with the new M5 sprinting to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, 0-200km/h (124mph) in 13.0 seconds and a limited top speed of 250km/h. If you have to go even faster the optional M Driver’s package raises top speed to 305km/h.

Standard equipment on the M5 includes M-specific suspension, a lightweight compound high-performance braking system and the M-tuned Servotronic steering. High-tech electronic aides include an M Drive system that allows drivers to store two individual modes for a range of programmable parameters including accelerator response, M Servotronic response, Drivelogic shift program, DSC mode, Dynamic Damper Control a special Head-Up Display unit that provides extra info.

In terms of exterior design the new M5′s tweaks are fairly reserved with subtle features including bulkier front and rear bumpers, side air vents, bespoke 19-inch alloy wheels, a minimal boot lid spoiler and quad tail pipes.

The 2012 M5 will make its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, expect more details to be released closer to that date.-carandsuv.co.nz

Till then check out images of BMW’s new bahn stormer in the gallery below.

Gallery