Proton Saga FLX SE launched – RM49,899 OTR!

Ah, while all the action seems to be in Tokyo, along pops up something more relevant and closer to home. Proton has announced the introduction of the Saga FLX SE, which we “previewed” last week, all thanks to an erstwhile reader and a leaked brochure.

Danny’s story already carries most of the tech details, so the big news is really about the photos of the car and the price – the 1.6 litre Campro and CVT-equipped vehicle rolls in at RM49,899 (metallic) and RM49,449 (solid). There are only two shades, the Fire Red as seen in the photos (which is the metallic), and Solid White.

Priced RM2,900 above the current selling 1.6 litre automatic Saga FL, the Saga FLX SE features eight exterior and three interior changes. It’s fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, an complete factory-fitted body kit in contrasting grey, fog lamps and smoked-finished combination rear lamps.

Meanwhile, the 108 hp and 150 Nm vehicle’s interior gets a healthy dollop of leather; hide is to be found on the seats, steering wheel, door ornament as well as the parking brake and gearshift levers.

The company is hoping to shift around 500 units of the Saga FLX SE per month. Oh, and customers who have ordered a Saga and are still waiting for their car to be delivered can opt to change their booking to the FLX SE at the respective showroom in which the booking was originally made.

If you’re thinking of viewing the FLX SE, don’t rush out just yet, because the car will only be at all Proton showrooms from tomorrow, December 1.

© 2011 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Wed, 30 Nov 11 08:22:57 +0000.

Related posts:

1. Proton Saga FLX 1.3L launched – CVT, ABS and EBD on
2. New Proton Saga SE in showrooms from 15th August
3. Proton launches Saga SE and Exora Manual – more details to come later!
4. Proton Saga RED Concept by Proton Design

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Tokyo 2011 live: Fourth-generation Honda CR-V SUV

Here’s some live shots of the new 2012 Honda CR-V, the fourth-generation of Honda’s popular SUV. The new CR-V has just been launched in Japan in both 2.0 and 2.4 litre form.

As the CR-V is available in Malaysia in 2.0 litre guise only, let’s take a look at what’s changed. The R20A i-VTEC SOHC engine looks very similar to the 3rd-generation’s – the specs sheet shows that peak power remains the same at 150 PS, but torque is now 191 Nm compared to 190 Nm before. Honda has increased the compression ratio slightly from 10.5:1 to 10.6:1.

The biggest change is that in Japan, the 2.0 litre CR-V now uses a CVT gearbox as opposed to a 5-speed automatic, which the 2.4 litre model continues to use. The 2.4 litre model’s K24A engine produces 190 PS and 222 Nm of torque.

This is not the first time we’ve featured the new CR-V, so we won’t go into too much details – you can read Anthony’s previous story from this morning for more details. The live photo gallery will speak to you the exterior and interior changes – after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

One thing that we found pretty cool is the new one-touch lever that folds the 60:40 split rear bench down – just pull it once and the rear bench folds down flat in a pretty neat way – the bottom seat folds forward and then the backrest folds down in its place. Watch the video below to see it work.

© 2011 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Wed, 30 Nov 11 07:33:05 +0000.

Related posts:

1. Tokyo 2011 Live: Toyota GT 86 Coupe unveiled!
2. Tokyo 2009 Live: Honda CR-Z Concept Hybrid
3. Honda Skydeck: live from Tokyo Motorshow 2009
4. TOKYO 2007 LIVE: second generation Mazda Atenza

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Tokyo 2011: Audi A1 Samurai Blue slices its way in

Not all the fun and games belong to the Japanese, despite Tokyo being home ground. Audi has snuck in a premiere of its own at the TMS, and this one is a unique A1 called the Samurai Blue.

The three-door A1 wears the blue and white colours of the Japanese national soccer team, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag, and the exclusive polygonal design 18-inch wheels are likewise painted red. The vehicle even takes its name from the team’s Blue Samurai nickname.

The interior equipment of the 122 hp 1.4 TFSI hatch is in black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colourful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats.

Audi plans to sell the Samurai Blue as a one-off model and donate part of the profit to a charity. The company does plan to come out with an A1 Limited Edition next year, with its design based on the Samurai Blue. All the better to slice you with, I guess.

© 2011 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Wed, 30 Nov 11 07:12:55 +0000.

Related posts:

1. Audi A6 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TFSI launched at IIMS 2011
2. Limited edition ‘Samurai Design’ Suzuki Swift for Italy
3. New BMW M3 Edition Models available in White, Black, Yellow and Blue
4. Concept Audi A1 to be shown at Tokyo 2007

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Shahrizat Dan NFC Tiada Kaitan?

Malaysia Chronicle

Senator Umno Shahrizat Jalil enggan berdepan dengan dakwaan rasuah sekitar tuduhan penglibatan keluarga beliau dalam projek pengeluaran daging lembu negara, NFC. Akan tetapi, kedegilan beliau mungkin akan menghancurkan diri dan mempercepatkan kejatuhan politik beliau.

Sudah ada suara-suara sumbang dalam Umno, yang juga sangat sinonim dengan perbalahan dalaman ; menggesa beliau untuk melepaskan jawatan tersebut. Terdapat juga mereka-mereka yang mengintai jawatan Ketua Wanita tersebut. Di luar Umno pula, keengganan beliau untuk bertanggungjawab terhadap perkara itu telah menambah kemarahan orang ramai. Shahrizat juga merupakan menteri hal ehwal Wanita.

Tiada sebab beliau patut menyalahkan Pakatan Rakyat. Pakatan Rakyat tidak pernah memaksa NFC atau keluarganya untuk membeli dua kondominium mewah dengan dana awam. Selain itu, benarkah tanpa status beliau dalam BN, beliau berani katakan bahawa kerajaan persekutuan akan memberikan projek tersebut kepada suami dan anak beliau? Adakah mereka mempunyai pengalaman yang mencukupi atau kepakaran dalam membangunkan industri ternakan lembu? “Naib PresidenPKR, Chua Jui Meng memberitahu Malaysia Chronicle.

Tiada kaitan dengan saya

Yang luar biasanya, Shahrizat menganggap bahawa dia tidak ada kaitan dengan skandal RM250 juta NFC, walaupun Ketua Audit Negara telah mengatakan bahawa projek tersebut dalam “keadaan kucar-kacir”. Menurut beliau, Pakatan Rakyat sebenarnya cemburu akan beliau kerana kekuatan sayap Wanita Umno itu.

Ironinya, hanya beberapa hari yang lalu, Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin -yang juga Timbalan Presiden Umno – mengakui bahawa Wanita, Puteri dan Belia tidak mencapai jangkaan Umno.

“Saya bersetuju mengenai perkara ini dan saya percaya bahawa orang lain juga berkongsi pendapat yang sama (bahawa Pemuda, Puteri dan sayap Wanita dilihat sebagai tidak aktif seperti sebelum ini). Presiden Umno Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sendiri telah menyatakan ini dalam mesej khas kepada sayap parti baru-baru ini, “Muhyiddin memberitahu Bernama dalam satu wawancara baru-baru ini.

“Perjumpaan ini diadakan kerana kita mahu mereka menyedari bahawa mereka mempunyai peranan yang lebih besar kerana pandangan orang luar terhadap pergerakan Pemuda dan Puteri tidak mencapai jangkaan. Kami memang akui ini.”

Tulisan di dinding

Kelihatan seperti akan berlaku satu pertelingkahan politik dan kemungkinan Shahrizat tidak mampu untuk terus hidup. Tanda-tanda sudah jelas dan dia mungkin tidak mempunyai pilihan lain tetapi untuk mengumumkan rancangan beliau meletak jawatan sebagai ketua Wanita sebelum pilihan raya umum akan datang, yang dijangka akan diadakan awal tahun depan.

Sementara itu, Shahrizat berjanji untuk berjuang. Beliau berjanji untuk menangani kontroversi NFC semasa perhimpunan agung Umno minggu ini, walaupun menegaskan bahawa “Ia tiada kaitan dengan saya.”

“Tidak ada masalah jika isu NFC dibahaskan. Saya akan menjawab semasa perhimpunan Wanita Umno. Saya akan menghantar satu mesej yang jelas kepada orang-orang di luar sana, Malaysian Insider melaporkan beliau sebagai berkata dan merujuk kepada Pakatan Rakyat.

“Sebagai seorang wanita saya perlu bertenang. Mereka (Pakatan Rakyat) lakukan ini kerana mereka takut kepada kekuatan Wanita Umno. ”

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Tokyo 2011: Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept debuts

Over at Subaru, the Advanced Tourer Concept has made its debut at the TMS. The company describes it as a new generation sports wagon, and the 4.58 metre-long B-pillarless vehicle combines a horizontally-opposed Boxer engine linked to a hybrid system.

The 1.6 litre turbo engine includes direct fuel injection and showcases technology that will guide the brand’s future engine strategy. Mated to a Lineartronic CVT gearbox, Subaru says the mill drastically improves combustion efficiency at practical driving speeds.

A single-motor hybrid system, with attendant lithium-ion battery, is used for its simple structure and light weight – the system has an Electric Vehicle mode that allows All-Wheel Drive motion using only the motor at start-up and low speed. When decelerating, the regenerating mechanism uses the motor as a power generator.

Unique features include a roof made of glass to add to the vehicle’s spacious cabin feel, as well as a large monitor built into the steering wheel, which allows access to maps, television and the Internet.

© 2011 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Wed, 30 Nov 11 07:12:55 +0000.

Related posts:

1. Subaru Advanced Tourer Concept to debut in Tokyo
2. Subaru at Frankfurt 2011: XV and concept BRZ Prologue
3. Subaru’s Hybrid Tourer concept spreads its wings in Tokyo: Live pictures
4. Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept with gullwing doors

Link to full article

Insta-Life

Sometimes i wish that i am living multiple lives simultaneously.

You know how people always say “maybe it is happening in a parellel universe”? I want to know all of my alternate lives in every other parellel universes.

Choice is sometimes the most difficult luxury one could ever have. (Choice: U MAD? #trollface.jpg.) There are so much to do, there are so much i want to do, there are so many dreams, yet i can only live once. Yet i can only make some happen.

You can’t have it all. Scumbag life.

I want to live a life right here in Malaysia, in the best home i can ever have, doing exactly what i do, get married, live a comfortable life and just be content with my friends and family.

I want to live a life in a suburb area in Europe, maybe plant some daisies.  Have a nice family and a dog. And cute babies. I will be so happy just strolling by the river with my dog every morning. Ok babies too. Forgot about them.

I want to live a life in my favorite country in the world. Anywhere in Japan (ok maybe except Fukushima wtf). Maybe just work at a primary school. (Hate kids but Japanese kids seem tolerable). Eat the best food in the world. Then i can officially name my daughter Mentaiko Tan. No, i’m pretty sure it works that way.

Sometimes i also think about living a life outside earth (after getting abducted by aliens, or bitten by sexy vampires) but let’s not go too far, literally.

Yet i can’t live them all.

Digress.

Here’s the documentation of my trip to Europe through instagram. Just in a mood today to copy and paste them here. Including the captions. I’m good at plagiarizing myself like that.

#1

Packing for europe!!! Color theme is pink & brown

#2

さようなら

#3

Transit at Doha

#4

Berlin. It’s 7C nao

#5

Ultimate hipster pic

#6

A park in Berlin

#7

Karaoke in Mauerpark

#8

Breakfast and my invisalign

#9

My first currywurst and some wine+coke thing that made me tipsy. In the afternoon wtf. yesterday

#10

With anna in the train

#11

Break the containers in case of zombie apocalypse.

#12

Today is a bit of a fuck fashion day. I totally dont blame you if you are disappointed in me.

#13

Some shopping i did in H&M and Bershka! Colors all very this autumn

#14

Yay going to Berlin zoo!!

#15

Camembert and cranberry crepe!! (just HAVE to post this cuz free wifi at starbucks zomg)

#16

With anna before the zoo

#17

ライオンです！Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）

#18

One of the most beautiful sunsets i’ve ever seen in my life. This is Berlin.

#19

My groceries today at Kaiser’s

#20

Ice cream macaron from Ka De We!!

#21

Oh look *gasp* i made a sandwich!! That just officially qualifies me to be a 9gagger girlfriend(´Д` )

#22

Instagram Toaster Effect!!! Y U NO look good on toast?!

#23

My bfast! Open sandwich, strawbie with (kinda failed) fresh cream, blood orange juice and Guten Morgen tea! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

#24

Road trip to Prague nao!!! Might not have connection for the next two days, so bye bye internet!

#25

Zomg im in Prague!!!

#26

Pork neck n mash!!!! Super yummy onmonmon

#27

Prague today. Me on a tree

#28

プラハ来ても明太子たべたーーーい(^_^;)

#29

素敵な景色だ

#30

THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!! *kicks a random passenger off bus*

#31

チェコ料理なんだ！！

#32

Home alone today!! Contemplating on turning Micha’s apartment into hell just so it fits today’s Halloween theme. Surprise!!!!

#33

Hello Titty in Berlin

#34

Heute

#35

ホットチョコなう(^O^)

#36

Ampelmaennchen on the door!!!

#37

Never packed this light for a 4 days trip before

#38

Leaving to tegel airport nao!!! Tschuuuuuusssssss

#39

Leaving Berlin

#40

Via transavia

#41

Wonder how being a cloud feels like

#41

Land of cheese

#42

Wtf my guestroom in amsterdam has no window o can just fall off and dieeeeee

#43

アムステルダムなう！！！

#44

Today (^O^)

#45

Awesome dimsum for lunch

#46

Feeding the pigeons

#47

Laura looks like Scarlett Johansson

#48

Today!

#49

The real Holland V!

#50

Mini pancakes from Ams . These are sooooooooooo goooooood

#51

I Amsterdammed!

#52

With Elisa

#53

Never had i seen my favorite fruit THIS big before!!!!! I also bought a smaller pack for 1 euro!! Back in Msia is like RM25!

#54

Oh absolutely

#55

Yes i do

#56

Went to Ann Frank House. That was a sad one.

#57

Gross but cool toilet

#58

Since Europe, all i had was Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai wtf. (￣◇￣;)

#59

Damsquare でブラブラ

#60

Yesterday’s breakfast was cheese pancake with bacooooooon#sweetjesus.jpg

#61

最後の日

Which was also the last picture before i lost my iPhone. Le sigh.

That’s all.

Which Instagram picture did you like the most?

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