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November 10th marked a day where Proton officially launched their Waja replacement model called the Inspira. As mentioned earlier,the Inspira is a badge engineered version of the Mitsubishi Lancer EX. It comes in 1.8liter manual and CVT models as well as a range topping 2.0 CVT premium version with cruise control, rain sensing wipers and automatic light sensors. Now having seen one, actually two units (a 1.8 manual & the 2.0CVT Premium) in the flesh at a Proton Showroom in Kuala Lumpur, I have to report that the Inspira is indeed a Mitsubishi Lancer with a slightly different dress. It has new bumpers front and rear (the front bumper slightly aping the BMW 3series' bumper), a new engine/inlet manifold cover with a Proton badge, a steering with a Proton badge and Proton badging at the rear in place of the Mitsubishi diamonds. The interior of the 2.0CVT also has Nappa leather. The same kind you find in the GT version of the Lancer. The 2.0 variant comes with a body kit to differentiate it from the base 1.8manual and CVT versions. The wheels are 16inches running 205/60series tires with Proton specific dampers and spring rates. The cars have good build quality. The shut lines as well as fittings are sound and even the door panels feel slightly better made than the Lancer was when it was first launched. Actually the quality shouldn't even be suspect as upon closer inspection, lots of items still had the Mistubishi logo on it. I suppose the first batch of the Inspira was assembled in Japan and partly knocked down for transport over to Malaysia. The only non-Mitsubishi parts that is in the engine bay is the battery and maybe the engine/manifold cover. This is as I would say good badge engineering for a competitive and over taxed (and therefore over priced) Malaysian market. Even though some Malaysians are disappointed that Proton has basically gone full circle by running back to Mitsubishi for a new model (like the original Proton Saga and Wira models), it is actually the most profitable way to sell cars. It is a no brainer actually. If you benched marked business practices of Proton's local rival, Perodua, you'd know that slightly re-engineering a Japanese model is a good thing. Take a look at the Perodua Myvi. Toyota sells a one called the Passo, Daihatsu sells it as the Sirion and the Boon and Subaru sells it as the Justy. Everyone buys one as decent transport. So what's a Mitsubishi Lancer dressed up as a Proton then? Normal industry stuff I guess. Anyway, the high specced 2.0P costs only RM91,999. The base 1.8 manual costs RM78,999. Compare this with the Lancer 2.0GT which costs in the region of RM120,000 and it is sure to be a best seller over in Malaysia. And what about those that bought the Lancer? Worried about losing some individuality? I suppose you could upgrade to the Lancer Sportback then. Unless, Proton decides to come up with a 'Aeroback' version like they did with the Wira some time ago that is! -the red car above is the 2.0CVT and the one in silver below is the 1.8manual, note the different steering wheel (without cruise control switches on the right side of the steering and the difference in trim (cloth seats, silver carbon look trim instead of dark 'wood'- -and now for the original recipe..in case you've forgotten how it looks like-

It seems Indonesia and the Philippines are getting a sportier facelift for the Toyota Corolla Altis. After quietly debuting over in those countries in 2008, Toyota has now refreshed the exterior of the Altis with a new matt black lined grill/bumper arrangement, black-out lights and sportier looking alloy wheels. I suppose Toyota wants to get rid of that 'uncle' image its cars portray and maybe get the hip, youngish clientele that went for their Vios to come back for another Toyota when they get older. The fun thing about this Corolla Altis is that it now sports a power upgrade too. It now gets 120bhp and 154Nm from the 1.6liter 4cylinder engine instead of 107bhp and previously. The 2.0liter 4 cylinder also gets a boost in power; 145bhp over 135bhp. Too bad Toyota does not sell and market the 2.0liter over in Singapore and Malaysia (only a 1.8liter version above the 1.6liter version). It would be a fun car to drive, regardless of its frumpy 'unclemobile' image. Toyota credits a new induction system that allows more air into the combustion chamber which improves fuel consumption and power in the engines. The 2.0liter in the Philippines comes equipped with a CVT type transmission that comes with flappy pedals behind the steering. The 1.6liter over there comes with, get this, a 6 speed manual gearbox. Toyota is really making the Altis into a sportier creature. Sales in the Philippines begin in September of this year. And check out the fully tricked out version that was on display at the recent 2010 Indonesia International Motor Show below. Can we have these very sporty (compared to what we have) versions over here please? Source: motioncars/author's own

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Ford's sedan version for the ASEAN market of best-selling Fiesta will make its debut at the Bangkok Motor Show (26March - 6 April 2010) and will go on sale in Thailand by August 2010. Ford has already sold more than half a million examples of the Fiesta hatchback worldwide and hopes to increase its share of the market in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region with this sedan version. It will be built at the joint Ford-Mazda factory in Rayong, Thailand. This factory also produces the Fiesta's chassis sharing partner, the Mazda 2 hatchback and sedan for the region (with the exception of Singapore which gets its 2 from Japan). The Thai flavoured Fiesta will be produced in both five and four-door formats, with exports planned for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. For the Thai market the four-door Fiesta is offered with a choice of 1.4- or 1.6-litre petrol engines, both of which can operate on E20 bio-ethanol fuel. Buyers can choose between a manual or the new generation six-speed 'Powershift' (DSG type) automatic transmission. The bigger engine is the latest 120 ps Duratec engine with twin variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and is mated to the 6-speed dual-clutch Powershift transmission. The smaller engine, with an output of 96 ps, will have a 5-speed manual transmission. Remote keyless entry is standard in all versions of the new four-door model, while Ford claims that Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, as well as a voice control system are all unique in the segment. We do not know whether this system standard across the range or limited to the higher specified cars. As for the looks, looks like a slightly heavier styled Mazda 2 with some angles looking better than others. It is a decent looking sedan derived from a hatchback. Unlike some not so successful hatch to sedan designs (the previous Honda City or current Nissan Latio sedan as examples). The Ford dealership in Malaysia has reported that they will sell the Fiesta sedan (and hatchback) by the middle of 2010 but no actual launch date has been set as yet. As for Singapore, there is no news as to whether the Thailand built sedan will be sold in the Lion City. The Fiesta currently on sale is the 1.4liter hatchback version imported from Germany. So would a sedan version be accepted by the market if it came from Thailand?

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia gave a special treat to the Malaysian media on the 24th of March 2010 by inviting them to a preview of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. This preview is in line with the upcoming Malaysian Formula 1 race in Sepang on 4th April 2010. Mercedes Benz has deemed that the Malaysian SLS launch should coincide with this event as one prestigious launch should compliment the other. This event was held at Sepang and is one of the first previews of the car outside of Europe and the United States. The Mercedes-Benz SLS is equipped with a hand built 6.3 litre V8 engine with an output of 571bhp and 650Nm of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 3.8 seconds and sure 0 to 200 km/h in 12 seconds. The top speed is an electronically limited 317 km/h. Why 317km/h is another mystery to me. Why not 318 as the number seems nicer to feng shui believing Asians? Anyway it is also equipped with a 7-speed dual clutch rear transaxle gearbox for better weight distribution. The SLS AMG will be touring Malaysia after the official launch on 27 March 2010. Malaysian and neighbouring country car buffs should be able to catch a glimpse of one at Mercedes Benz Malaysia's respective dealers. The exact schedule isn't out as yet and if anyone from the Lion City who wants to take a drive to the dealer in Johor Bahru, you'll have to check with them on the exact timing of the SLS arrival over there. But if you are a F1 fan, I don't think Mercedes Benz will miss the opportunity to have it on display for all those people that will fly in from everywhere. So if you do intend to travel down and watch the Sepang Formula 1 on the 4th of April, you may also get a first hand look at the car. Anyway, if it isn't on display, you would get to see it in the pitlanes as the SLS is also the official safety car for Formula 1. Production starts in June 2010, but orders can be made now. In Europe, the car will be sold at the price of 177,310 Euros inclusive of VAT. In Malaysia, it'll cost some lucky Malaysian RM1,999,000.00. Tax is a killer as 177k Euros do not become RM1.99million after current currency conversion rates.