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Lamborghini Estoque Concept Live from Paris Motor Show with Photo

Lamborghini Estoque concept live from Paris Motor Show. More photo after the jump. Previously I'd read a lot of news and teaser about this super car, now came the time we really take a closer look of it. Not much info about the engine yet but hope the photo can fulfill you curiosity.



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Honda Insight in Paris Motor Show

RIGHT NOW NihonCar has a team of dedicated journalists crawling over every booth at the Paris Motor Show. While we don't expect any live pictures before tomorrow morning (Japan time), we'll content ourselves with Honda's official PR documents and pictures.

Here's Honda's (presumably) "Prius killer," the Insight. With a design WAY cooler than the Prius, the Insight will, if correctly tuned by Honda, bring a new kind of car enthusiast to the hybrid world. Especially those who care as much about how they look in a car as being environmentally friendly.

Based on a theme of achieving dynamic performance through excellent aerodynamics, the exterior design of the Insight concept model combines excellent environmental performance and a fun to drive spirit. The compact Insight Concept measures 4,375 mm (172.2 in.) in length, 1,695 mm (66.7 in.) in width, and 1,425 mm (56.1 in.) in height, with specially designed, ultra-light aluminum wheels and 205/40 R18 tires. With a cockpit that enables the driver to experience the joy of driving, the interior of the Insight Concept provides an advanced and futuristic feeling that is possible only through a hybrid vehicle.

The all-new Insight, which will be developed based on this Insight Concept, will be a five-door, five-passenger hatchback equipped with Honda’s lightweight and compact hybrid system, with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine serving as the main power source, assisted by an electric motor. While achieving fuel economy on par with the Civic Hybrid, the new Insight will also achieve excellent utility and light and comfortable driving through the adoption of a new platform developed specifically for this vehicle. Honda will begin sales of the all-new Insight in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009, and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.

In his speech at the Paris Motor Show, Honda Motor president & CEO Takeo Fukui said, “This new Insight will give more people the chance to get behind the wheel of a high quality hybrid vehicle only Honda can develop.”

The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides "insight" into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.



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Toyota Avensis with New Valvematic EnvironmentFriendly

Toyota are using the 2008 Paris Motor Show to unveil their all-new third generation Toyota Avensis. The brand's flagship model for Europe benefits from a more powerful and aerodynamic design along with an engine range that boasts increased power and torque as well as reduced CO2 emissions.

The styling which was the work of Toyota’s advanced design studio in the South of France projects a more powerful appearance than the outgoing model with a keen focus on increasing the aerodynamics of the model. The Coefficient of Drag figure comes in at 0.28 for the sedan and 0.29 for the estate body style, it puts it right up there with its rivals falling just short of the Insignia's 0.27 figure.

The length of the model has increased by 50mm over the previous generation bringing total figures for the sedan and estate to 4,695 mm and 4,765 mm respectively, the width has increased by the same figure to 1810mm. Naturally the increased size of the vehicle results in extra interior space for its occupants.

The will be a choice of six engines when the car is launched. The petrol options benefit from a new Valvematic technology that lowers CO2 emissions by up to 26%, they comprise of a 132hp 1.6-liter Valvematic, a 147hp 1.8-liter Valvematic and a 152hp 2.0-liter Valvematic. The four diesel options which have been tuned to emit up to 10% less CO2 emissions than their predecessors range from 126hp to 177hp.

All engines come with a six speed transmission system as standard, however the 2.2 liter diesel engine is also available with a new 6 speed automatic option and the two higher displaced petrol units are available with Toyota's new Multidrive S variable transmission system.

The new model will enter the market in 2009, pricing details will be announced closer to its launch.



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Will higher interest rates mean lower car prices?

Car market expected to shrink on double whammy of weak economy and soaring interest rates. The car market is shrinking as the year enters the final quarter and which ever way you look at the number, things are not rosy.

August sales as recorded by the Malaysian Automotive Association’s Total Industry Volume (TIV) shrank by 0.75% year-on-year to 47,227 units from 47,585 units previously. Year on year comparisons take away the seasonal variation factors but it sometimes fail to reflect the current dynamics and that is when you you compare numbers from month to month and here the picture is even gloomier.

August sales is 12.5 per cent paler than July’s numbers, the industry sold 6,757 units less during the Merdeka month.

The most obvious candidate for blame is the uncertain economic weather but it now has a friend, ballooning interest rates.

WHAT CAR COMPANIES CAN DO

Option I

SUBSIDISE INTEREST RATES

Car companies have been playing this game for along time, this is how you get zero per cent financing on a few per cent lower interest than the market rate.

Car companies know that people like to see that they are paying low interest and this is something that they play on.

By subsidising interest rates rather than reducing prices, they feel that it would help maintian the brand’s used car values on traders forecourts and this will make them more popular with usedcar dealers, crucial if you want to sustain strogn growth in the new car market.

Option II

SLASH PRICES

Car companies can play with their margin and decide how much they can cut so that customers do not have to suffer higher monthly payments as a result of higher interest rates.

While this may be good in the short run, it may have an adverse effect on the used car market so companies are typically reluctant to slash prices. Fromt heir persepctive, high interest rates are typically temporary market conditions whereas a brand’s strong used car value tookyears or maybe even decades to cultivate and if damaged will take as long again to repair.

So expect car companies to try and subsidise the interest rates for as long as they can, if high interest rates persist and it continues to have bearish effect on the market, they may reconsider their pricing policies. At the back of their mind, car companies are all hoping that customers will get accustomed to the high interest rates, much like how we got accustomed to higher petrol prices and will continue to buy their cars as usual again after a few months.

Option I vs Option II

Lets look at who wins and who loses when car companies chose between the two options and for ease of calculation we will use a car with a price tag of RM50,000 and compare interest of two per cent and new rates of four per cent.

OPTION I

Interest two per cent over five years

RM50,000 x 2% x 5years =RM5,000,

add that to the total car price and you pay RM55,000 total,

monthly payment = RM55,000/60 = RM916.66

Interest four per cent over five years

RM50,000 x 4% x 5 years = RM10,000

Total payment = RM60,000

Monthly payment = RM1,000

To keep monthly payments the same car companies will have to subsidise interest rates back to 2%, in other words they will pay the finance company Rm5,000 every time someone buys this car so that the ttnerest rate is kept at 2%

OPTION II

Assuming that car companies can afford to slash prices by RM5,000 because that is what they are willing to pay to finance companies to keep their prices and customers monthly repayments we now look at the same scenario but with the car price slashed to RM45,000 but interest rate is constant at 4%

Interest over 5 years

RM45,000 x 4% x 5 years =RM9,000

Total payment = RM54,000

Monthly installment = RM900

Under Option II

WINNER: Customer

Because the monthly repayment is lower than even if the car companies subsidise the interest rate (see Option I where monthly payment is RM916.66).

PARITY: Carmaker

The carmaker is out of pocket RM5,000 either way, whether they give it to the bank or slash prices to attract customers but they do worry about used car value

LOSER: Bank

The total repayment amount is also less by RM1,000, which means that the bank actually makes RM1,000 less.

Under Option I

WINNER: Bank

They still make RM5,000 more from the deal because car companies are paying for extra interest payments.

PARITY: Carmaker

They still lose Rm5,000 every car but they feel better about not slashing prices

PARITY: Customer

He still pays the same monthly payments for the same car

r most people after houses.

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Suzuki SX4 Sedan Spec and Price

In terms of practicality and versatility, hatchbacks have sedans licked clean but if a car company wants to sell in Asia, a sedan is a must have in their repertoire. Apparently Asians have a thing about protruding rear, if it has a boot then it is more desirable, more prestigious so you can understand why Suzuki decided that their comely SX4 should have a bit more metal grafted to the car’s rear.

In terms of the aesthetics, the result is best compared to cars such as the Honda City and Proton Saga. Just like the Honda City and Proton Saga, the SX4 comes with a spacious cabin that makes it natural choice for families.
The tall roof allows the seats to be positioned slightly higher from the floor an this frees up a lot of legroom.

The dark cabin trim is also eminently suitable for couples with small children who may be prone to spilling drinks and spreading crumbs all over the upholstery. Build quality is also good and looks ready to withstand the prying fingers of the little ones.

The Isofix child seat mounts in the rear bench is an important safety feature that concerned parents should definitely consider. In fact the SX4 is probably the only car in the price range to offer this standardised child-seat mount.

The fully imported SX4 is powered by a 1.6-litre M16A four cylinder engine with double overhead cam (DOHC) and variable valve timing VVT, the same 16-valve engine that finds home in the SX4 crossover. The engine is matched to a four-speed automatic transmission which has evenly spaced ratios that gives the SX4 Sedan a relaxed gait. Power output from the motor is not exactly prodigious at 102bhp at 5,600rpm and the same can be said of the maximum torque of 140Nm at 4,000 rpm but this is good enough to make the Sedan a plausible daily runner and occasional long distance transport. Sharing the same platform with the SX4 means the sedan has generous ground clearance and can go over bumps and low obstacles without scraping the underside, not even when fully loaded.

The slightly-higher-than-sedan seating position means that drivers have a slightly wider view of the traffic in front. This is a feature that should appeal to women drivers. Despite the tough, go-anywhere look, the SX4 sedan is really a creature of the urban jungle and this is made clear by the ultra-light power assisted steering. The variable assistance has been tuned to provide featherweight resistance at standstill and low speed to make parking and maneuvering in confiner urban spaces a doddle.

The 190mm ground clearance may be good for clearing ruts on a farm track but it is also excellent for clearing manhole covers and potholes. Apart from cabin space, the SX4 Sedan is made more desirable by the supple long travel suspension that not only helps it clear urban obstacles but also make it a very comfortable car to ride in. On the highway, the ride is absorbent without being wallowy while in the city it absorbs rough surfaces without rolling and pitching too much. With all these desirable qualities, the sales target of between 100 and 150 units per month is rather pessimistic.

The Sedan is available in two versions, the standard at RM88,999 and higher specified sports version with 17-inch wheels, leather seats and full bodykit. This would cost you an extra RM5,000. It is available in a choice of five colours, Nocturne Blue Pearl, Black Pearl, Silky Silver, Pearl White and Azure Grey. The car you see here is fitted with 18-inch wheels that are not available, even as a cost option from Suzuki













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Mercedes Adaptive High-Beam Assistant

Mercedes has presented yesterday a new solution for the active safety of its models: it is a system of intelligent management of the front beam lights that continually change the beam of light from headlamps issued according to the traffic conditions encountered.

The big difference with all other existing lighting systems, is that while they offer only two choices (and low beam headlights, when excluding the front position) the new Adaptive High-Beam Assistant continuously rule the intensity of the light .

The system also allows you to dramatically extend the range of low beam illumination: the traditional projectors to arrive about 65 meters, they can distinguish objects up to 300 meters away without dazzle motorists proceed in the opposite direction. In the case of street free, the beam is automatically activated instead.



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Chevrolet Orlando Concept SUV

A whole bunch of images of the Orlando Concept appeared on a Belgian website today offering us our first live view of Chevy’s new seven-seat minivan ahead of its worldwide debut at the Paris Show. The Orlando, which has more blue lights on the outside than a U.S. police car on a hot pursuit, shares the same Delta II platform as the Cruze. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine developing 150HP and 320 Nm of torque. From what we’ve learned, the Orlando will find its way into production by 2010. Hit the jump below to check out the image gallery.



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Mercedes-Benz S 600 Bulletproof Luxury Car

First announced early last year, Mercedes-Benz special-protection unit is commemorating its 80th anniversary with the market launch of the new S 600 Pullman Guard limousine. With heads of state, royalty and industry tycoons from all over the globe making up the client list, Mercedes has provided 5 generations of prestigious luxury limousines offering the highest levels of protection.

This newest Pullman limousine is built on the basis of the S 600. It is powered by the 5.5-liter V12 biturbo with an output of 517 hp/380 kW and 830 Nm of torque. Engineered to a B6/B7 protection rating, its armour resists military-standard small-arms projectiles and provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. Additional safety features include run-flat tyres, a self-sealing fuel tank and a fire-extinguishing system.

The Pullman Guard limousine follows an integrated security concept which means, rather than retro-fitting the protective elements in the doors, rear wall, side panels, roof lining and firewall etc. of an already finished vehicle, they fully integrate them into the body shell in a dedicated production process resulting in a protection barrier of armour around the entire passenger cell. Furthermore, the integrated protective features actually reinforce the body structure rather than exert extra structural strain.

In addition to its S-Guard line-up, Mercedes-Benz also offers E-Guard and G-Guard special-protection vehicles.



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Lorinser Body Kit For Mercedes-Benz SL

After the latest facelift of the Mercedes-Benz SL Class, Lorinser’s designers headed back to the draw board to cook up a new styling kit for the German roadster. The result is a full bodykit that will satisfy the eyes of any yuppie boy racer. The kit consists of a front bumper spoiler complete with a blunt Lorinser badge that replaces Merc’s famous star, new fenders with redesigned air vents, side skirts with air openings, a new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser that houses the quad exhaust tips and a boot lid spoiler.

The aero kit is complemented by a new set of alloy wheels while Lorinser also offers a series of interior accessories for those who want to live on the wild side. As for performance upgrades, the Swabian tuner said that it is currently working on an engine optimization kit for the facelifted Mercedes SL range and that it will release details in the very near future. We just can't wait.





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