What does the Year of the Rabbit bode for the auomotive industry? More upside apparently if what the pundits say hold true. Here are the top picks of new cars that will make inroads this year.
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| Civic sedan |
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Civic coupe
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Honda Civic Concept
The current eighth generation Honda Civic has been our shores since 2006 and is due for a total model change.
When we might see the all new model here is still a subject of speculation but at the recent Detroit International Motorshow, Honda unveiled a new interpretation.
It is still based on the current Civic’s iconic “one-motion” mono-form shape but features a more high-energy appearance and steeply raked windscreen.
Though looking sportier with a rising belt line and lowered stance, the new Civic Concept is said to be roomier.
The production version is expected to be quite similar and will be offered with various engine sizes to suit the enthusiasts and normal drivers alike. It will also be offered with petrol/electric hybrid version like the out-going model.
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| 6 Series Convertible |
BMW 6 Series Convertible
Longer and broader at the wheelbase, the new BMW 6 Series Convertible promises more comfort and interior space for its 2+2 seating configuration.
It retains the classic coupe long bonnet and short front overhang styling, but strikes a more elegant profile, courtesy of smoother and sleek lines that are shared with the current generation 5 and 7 Series models.
The roof is the soft-top version and not folding metal to reduce weight and enhance the car’s handling.
It can be folded into the trunk for open air driving in 19 seconds.
Expect its arrival in the first half of the year.
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| S60 |
Volvo S60
Touted as the safest Volvo car to-date, the new S60 features the ground-breaking Pedestrian Detection system, which can identify pedestrians who accidentally cross into the vehicle’s path and automatically brakes the vehicle if the driver fails to do so.
In addition, this new four-door model also comes with other famed Volvo safety gadgetry such as City Safety, which prevents the S60 from rear-ending the car in front in slow traffic and BLIS blindspot warning system to name a few.
It also sports a new sleeker coupe-like appearance and a much improved handling dynamics and performance to raise its appeal for those who haven’t warmed up to Volvo yet.
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| Daihatsu Boon |
Perodua Myvi replacement
Already a five-year-old design, the current Myvi is still Perodua and Malaysia’s best selling vehicle with sales of 77,000 units last year.
The second national car company might find it difficult to retire the Myvi unless its replacement is an absolute winner.
So far, it is believed that the replacement model will be based on the Daihatsu Boon five-door hatchback but with Perodua styling touches at the front, rear and interior.
The new model, also believed to be offered in 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre engine options, promises to be more fuel efficient as it will get electric power steering that eliminates the need for a power-sapping hydraulic pump.
Peugeot 508
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508
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Slated as the replacement for not one but two Peugeot models - the 407 and 607, the new 508 sedan is the personification of Peugeot’s new design language, featuring more elegance and a subtler front grille.
Its interior comes with high quality materials and an uncluttered layout for a premium feel, typical of this marque’s upmarket models.
The 508 will be powered by turbocharged petrol and diesel engines with power ranging from 112bhp to 204bhp.
An all-wheel-drive hybrid version will be introduced later.
Mercedes-Benz CLS
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CLS Class
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The four-door coupe concept was popularised to a great deal by the CLS and the next generation gets more pronounced lines to express its athletic looks.
To reduce weight and increase agility, the new CLS uses a substantial amount of aluminium in its construction, much of it in the doors, bonnet, front wings, engine and suspension system.
Its new range of petrol and diesel engines promise higher power and torque while consuming 25% less fuel.
In addition, the CLS is the first passenger car in the world to offer LED High Performance headlamps with the performance, functionality and energy efficiency of today’s bi-xenon system.
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| CT 200h |
Lexus CT 200h hybrid
Taking advantage of the zero import tax and excise duty for petrol electric hybrid cars below 2,000cc, the Lexus CT 200h sneaks in as Lexus Malaysia’s cheapest hybrid model and vehicle at the same time.
Lexus Malaysia has already indicated a price of RM173,000 for the standard version and RM202,000 for the luxury variant which gets extras such as LED headlights, sat-nav and reverse camera among others.
Sharing the familiar 1.8-litre petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain system with the Toyota Prius, the smaller and shorter CT 200h hatchback promises to be a sportier drive with its power-to-weight advantage.
Inside, owners can expect Lexus’ attention to luxury appointments and build quality.
BMW X3
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X3
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Slightly larger than the earlier generation X3, the new model features softer curves and less boxy styling.
Revisions in the new model includes retuning of the suspension system for a ride quality that is closer to the 3 Series sedan without discernible loss in agility.
This model, which will arrive in Malaysia in the first half of the year, will among others get turbocharged engines, eight-speed automatic transmission, xDrive all-wheel drive system, electric power steering, Auto Stop function and BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies for lower fuel consumption.
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| SLK |
Mercedes-Benz SLK
The latest third generation two-seater SLK Class now brings sportiness, trendiness and open-top motoring to a new level while consuming 25% less fuel than its predecessors.
Its retractable vario roof, which used to be made of steel, now features the Magic Sky Control which allows it to be quickly switched to light or dark at the press of a button.
Retaining the classic roadster proportions with a long bonnet, a passenger compartment positioned far back, and a short tail, the new SLK Class get an upright radiator grille and front end reminiscent of the new SLS AMG “Gullwing” model and the new CLS Class coupe.
Toyota Plug-In Hybrid
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| Prius Plug-in |
Based on the current third-generation Prius, this variant gets and additional a plug-in capability to recharge its on-board batteries for longer electric range.
In fact, its higher capacity lithium-ion batteries offers a longer cruising range of 20km on electric power, compared with the standard Prius fitted with nickel metal hydride batteries that can do a few kilometres on electric mode.
Just like the standard Prius, the 1.8-litre petrol engine of the Prius Plug-in will start up to recharge the battery once the charge level drops.
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