Archive for October, 2009
2009 Toyota Wish finally launched in Singapore: Starts from S$86,988
The 2009 Toyota Wish was first launched in Japan sometime in April this year and months later the mid-sized MPV is now available in Singapore. Only the 2.0 liter 3ZR-FE 4-cylinder option is offered here and it is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. In Japan, both the 2.0 liter and 1.8 liter options are available and instead of an automatic transmission, the Super CVT-i transmission is offered. In fact Japanese buyers can also choose between a front wheel drive or an all wheel drive configuration.
The DOHC 2.0 liter engine that is equipped with Dual-VVT-i is able to output 142hp at 5,600 revs while torque is rated at 189Nm that is achieved at 4,400 revs. Measuring 4590 mm long, 1695 mm wide, 1590 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2750 mm, the front wheel drive Wish is able to comfortably seat seven and features a 60:40 spilt for the second row and a 50:50 split for the third row.
Safety wise, it comes with airbags (front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for driver and passenger and curtain shield airbags), ABS, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) and traction control. MacPherson struts for the front and a conventional torsion beam for the rear make up the suspension system. Two trim levels are made available including the base Wish 2.0 and the range topping Wish 2.0 Deluxe.
The latter comes with touch screen DVD audio system (instead of a single CD unit), roof mounted monitor, reverse camera and a GPS system. Pricing starts from S$86,988 for the base model while the Deluxe demands for S$89,988. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Williams to be powered by Cosworth next year
The Williams Formula 1 team has officially announced that it will use Cosworth powerplants next year. The team first used Cosworth engines between 1977 and 1983 and again in 2006. Since 2007 it used Toyota engines. This means there will be five teams which will utilize Cosworth engines next year including Manor, USGPE, Campos and Lotus F1.
Lotus F1 gets new CEO, team on schedule for Sepang test in February
Team principal of the new Lotus F1 team Tony Fernandes has announced the appointment of Riad Asmat as the new CEO of the team. The 38 year old motor racing enthusiast previously served as a general manager in Proton, the company that owns Lotus.
Before that, Asmat who graduated from the Western Michigan University in the US with a Masters Degree in Organisation Communication worked with Nike (Malaysia) in the public relations division and subsequently worked for the Sepang International Circuit before joining Proton in 2006. While in Proton, he was also involved in motorsport programs such as R3, the Proton Axle Team and Proton’s campaign in A1 GP via the Malaysian AI GP team.
“I’ve been part of this project (Lotus F1) from the beginning and now I’ve to get down to work as CEO and turn the outfit into a profitable team,” he said. ‘Profit’ is a strong word as the Malaysian public has been questioning the investment source of the team since the Malaysian government initially announced that it is backing the team financially to a certain extent – although recently the team revealed that the government is not involved with the team from that standpoint. Tony Fernandes also revealed that the team’s scheduled test in Sepang in February is right on track.
Fernandes is still being tight-lipped about driver selection although rumor has it that Fairuz Fauzy and Jarno Trulli will race for the team next year. The team has also recently signed a deal with Bridgestone for the supply of Formula 1 tires.
Special edition Audi TT Coupe for the Japanese market
Audi is currently celebrating 100 years of its existence hence there is no surprise if the automaker rolls out a special edition model to commemorate the celebration. This time, Audi has announced a new special edition TT Coupe that is aimed for the Japanese market.
The limited edition coupe is based on the TT 2.0 TFSI treated with the S-Line package. Only 100 units are planned and only two body colour options are available including pearl blue and bright orange (pictured above). It also comes with carbon fiber exterior trim, 19-inch alloys fitted with 255/35 R19 tires as well as black leather seats with white contrasting stitching. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Acura to launch new Accord Tourer-based 2011 TSX Sport Wagon
Acura has officially announced that it will introduce a new 2011 TSX Sport Wagon that will be based on the Honda Accord Tourer sold in the European market. You can expect the new wagon to hit showrooms in America by fall next year. The automaker is being tight-lipped about the new model but revealed that it will share a number of similarities with the Accord Tourer. Its a good move following the recent unveiling of the rather uninspiring Accord Crosstour. Pictured above is the Honda Accord Tourer and you can look at another image after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Kimi Raikkonen’s only option for a Formula 1 team is McLaren?
Kimi Raikkonen who will enjoy his last race with Ferrari this weekend in Abu Dhabi told a Finland-based broadcaster that McLaren is his only option in Formula 1. At the same time Raikkonen also revealed that he will not race for Toyota in 2010, although the team approached him recently.
If Raikkonen races for McLaren next year he will race along side Lewis Hamilton. The duo would be the only World Champion partnership next year. Raikkonen also mentioned that he will occasionally take part in rallies during the season as a hobby. Raikkonen’s contract with Ferrari expires at the end of the season as Fernando Alonso has been hired to partner Felipe Massa in Ferrari starting from next season.
Volkswagen’s upcoming New Mid-Size Sedan teased
Volkswagen’s American division has released an official sketch of the upcoming New Mid-Size Sedan (NMS) that is slated for a US market launch in late 2011. Compared to the Volkswagen Passat, the NMS will end up being larger and cheaper by about US$8000. The NMS will be manufactured at the automaker’s plant in Tennessee, US to enable the sedan to carry a cheaper price tag thanks to the weaker US currency.
Mitsubishi to introduce an all new compact crossover in 2010
Mitsubishi has announced that it will launch an all new compact crossover in 2010. The new crossover will be based on the 2007 Concept-cX show car and will be underpinned by the automaker’s mid-size global platform (Project Global).
The upcoming vehicle is expected to help shift Mitsubishi from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars and crossovers. It is expected to feature an all wheel drive configuration as well as a 1.8 liter diesel powerplant (to produce about 130hp). The automaker also announced that the crossover will make its European debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Pictured above is the sketch of the crossover.
