The mass market Renault Clio, GT Line

 

Most are still wondering whether TC Euro could make its history in promoting Renault here in Malaysia, when it dropped the best selling Kangoo from its list of model, then switched its focus to Renault Sport models, with price ranges that is so far fetch from the normal consumers.  It then started adding a few other mass market models such as the Koleos, which did not prove to be the solution, as well as the Fluence, where consumer will prefer getting the original Nissan Slyphy instead.  Recently, the Captur was launched, with lukewarm reception, but still hard to beat the ever popular Honda HR-V in the same segment.  Now, finally a tame version of the Clio GT Line, makes its appearance in joining the tough fight against the VW Polo, Peugeot 208, Citroen DS3 and Mazda 2.

The Clio GT Line uses the similar 1.2-litre turbocharged engine and 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox as found in the Captur, which is capable of 118hp/190Nm of power.  GeTrag dry-clutch again, thus could sound scary to some potential customers.  The comfort that the owner will get is the 5-year warranty that comes with the car...thereafter...hopefully it will continue to serve well.  As a French car, the moment the registration card has someone name printed on it, the value could have drop so much that most owner will have to give all the tender loving care to ensure it will serve for a lifetime!

The Clio is a small car, with a small engine, and it is not going to be a lightning speed machine, thus drum brake is fitted to the rear, where the front has the usual disc.  Not a big concern nor deal breaker.  To make more space in the trunk, the spare wheel is fitted to the bottom of the car, instead of inside the trunk.  17" Michelin Premacy as standard, so it will be a comfortable ride.  While test driving this car, there is noticeable body roll, but anyhow, this is not a speed demon.  The seat is comfortable, but does not hold the driver like the RS edition.  If it were to have semi bucket seat, it could be fun to drive...just need to keep reminding oneself, the 1.2-litre launching speed is slow.  The Clio GT Line is just another hatch, but not of the hot type, though it does look good.  On the safety department, it is equipped with 4-airbag where the seat-airbag is huge to provide protection to the head and chest, but nothing for the rear passengers.  As tested by Euro NCAP in 2012, it achieved a 5-star rating still.

No surprise to the interior if you has seen the Captur of the Clio RS, as it is similar in the design, with slight differences in the audio setup.  Meter cluster is the common digital speedo, analog RPM meters setup.  No paddle shifter in the Clio GT Line, which is a letdown.  ECO mode is available for the environment hero.  Keyless entry and start are standard, but the thick key card is a hassle to carry.  Most will prefer a proper remote fob instead.  Looking closely to the door speaker, it has a vented bass reflex system, as if the owner going to pump up the volume so much to start loosening the door card panel.  Soft plastic material on the dash is a welcome here, but let's hope it will last in out hot humid weather.

At RM118k (without insurance), the Renault Clio GT Line could be a nice hatch to own if speed is not your priority and second-hand value is not any concern.  If you are the conservative type, maybe the cheaper Peugeot 208 (RM86k) will suffice if all you want is a continental hatch.  For the adventurous, maybe the Citroen DS3 (RM114k).  For those in favour of a German, the VW Polo (RM90k) is the best choice here as it has a very simple engine and gearbox (not the TSI model).  For those that want the best resale value, there is only one choice, which is the Mazda 2(RM86k).  Oh, by the way, if you love the CLIO GT Line in FLAME RED colour, there could be an additional RM3k to the price, but you could easily get TC Euro to absorb that cost.  The Flame Red is a special colour for the Clio RS200, where the Malta Blue is the signature colour for the Clio GT Line.

	Clio	208	DS3	Polo	M2
Length (mm)	4062	3962	3948	3970	4060
Width (mm)	1732	1739	1715	1682	1695
Height (mm)	1448	1460	1483	1453	1470
Wheelbase (mm)	2589	2538	2464	2456	2570
Airbag	4	6	6	2	2
Engine	1.2	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5
Power (hp/Nm)	118/190	120/160	120/160	103/153	114/148
Gearbox (Speed)	6	4	4	6	6

All new Hyundai Tucson, really new?

The All new Hyundai Tucson will be launched soon, and Hyundai Malaysia is sure dumping some marketing money to showcase the new Tucson all over, especially locating show units in shopping malls, politely asking potential buyer to wait for it before making any decision to jump ship to the its hottest competitor, which could be the Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5.

The existing Tucson could just be the best selling Hyundai's model in Malaysia, as the brand has not been performing quite well in pushing for a decent sales figure.  Being a Korean, it still lack the known reliability from the Japanese, adding the perception of lower used car value, the brand still has a lot to do.  Hyundai seems to be lacking in persuading the mass, even with new Sonata and Elantra which is well design and loaded with high specifications.  The numbers on the road is still pathetically low.  Kia, its brother is slow as well, but it has better looking model.  The Fluidic concept of Hyundai is really outdated now.

The rear of the Tucson has always look good, which I personally feel is better than any of its competitors.  Again, being a Korean, the front grille is always the questionable portion, which still looks terrible, though a big improvement form 10-15 years Hyundai's models.

This all new Tucson does not seems to get any excitement in the powertrain, as it shall remain the same old same old unit.  No downsizing turbo engine here, which could be a good choice, as to remain competitive, it is too risky for Hyundai Malaysia to bring it anything new, especially the turbo unit, which need better-skilled technicians to service.  A 2.0-litre engine will soldier on!

Interested?  Register yourself at Hyundai's website.  The Tucson could be your new car for the upcoming festive season, be it Christmas or Chinese New Year!  This could be a nice SUV to share with the family.

Before the new Audi Q3, the existing luxury

While waiting for the arrival of the all new Audi Q3, let's take a look at the existing luxury mini-SUV that is available now.  The Q3 has no clear competitor in our market, and the nearest would be its own brother, the VW Tiguan. Both the Q3 and Tiguan is available in the guise of a 1.4-litre or 2.0-litre engine, mated to 7-speed dual clutch gearbox.  Good luck and pray for little or no problem with the gearbox.  Both 2.0-litre  models are only available with either the Audi Quattro or VW 4Motion all-wheel-drive technology.  Different naming, but both born with the same parents.

Look wise, the Q3 front grille with the 4-ring could spell luxury when compare to the VW, which has flooded our market with almost the cheapest continental cars, especially the Polo!  Of course, the Q3's design is timeless as compare to the more rounded shape of the Tiguan.  The Q3's headlight is sexy, especially LED daytime running light.  There is not much of others to compare with, as you pay slightly more...get the Q3...and if you want to save a bit...get the Tiguan.  Anyhow, both companies are known to lose out in after-sales service quality.  Dive deeper to look at the size, and taking Korean-made and Japanese-made into consideration, especially when you just want to get one for the wife to ferry the kid, maybe, and maybe, other options could be a wiser choice.  At least kidnappers will not assume the kids are from a rich family.

	Q3	Tiguan	Sportage	Tucson	CRV
Length (mm)	4388	4426	4400	4410	4590
Width (mm)	1831	1809	1855	1820	1820
Height (mm)	1608	1703	1645	1660	1685
Wheelbase (mm)	2603	2604	2640	2640	2620
Price	253k	240k	138k	117k	162k

For the Q3, of course safety and all other technological stuff are part and parcel of the car.  The premium price automatically tell you, yes, it has all round 6-airbag, traction control, hill assist, auto light and wipers, etc.  The only thing you don't get is the convenience of availability of service center in every corner, and for this, it will never happen as Audi is not the target of mass market.  Yes, I know, usually the wife like to drive a car that is so simple, where any neighbourhood workshop could service it...you know...the minimum downtime type, especially during the great Malaysia sales period!  But usually the husband wants to make himself proud by buying the Q3...and claimed "You see, I sayang my wife, thus I gave her an Audi Q3".  This is especially true when one is at that class of society where each will compare what handbag and designer clothing they have and the Audi is so much stylish than the common BMW and Mercedes.

In the mean time, if the Q3 is your target, there is nothing wrong.  Everyone has his/her own choice.   The Q3 facelift is making its way to the showroom now.  Oh, did I forget the Lexus NX could be another fabulous choice, but that competes in a different league, unless you have RM372k for it.

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.45/litre & RM2.05/litre respectively

Blame it on our weak currency, everyone is doing that, and cost of everything is in the uptrend.  Everyone hope to have few billion in the bank so one need not worry about life and outdated bags.  The fastest and easiest way is to go Indonesia and start spending...everyone is a millionaire there.

Yes, with oil price dipping, we now enjoy pricier petrol where RON97 is at RM2.45/litre and RON95 is at RM2.05/litre.  Diesel suffers the same faith of having RM0.10/litre increase as well.  Anyway, just blame it on the currency, everyone is doing that to increase their price, can never be wrong.  No need an economist to teach you howto!

Isuzu doing what it is good at, the D-MAX

Not too sure how the Isuzu MU-X doing as it does not look like it is attracting much crowd with the new model that has its traits and genes from the D-MAX, which is what Isuzu is good at building and delivering.  From heavy duty transport trucks to our daily pickup trucks, Isuzu is best at making these.

The D-Max spans a few variant, from the most basic single-cab 4x4 (RM67k) or 4x2 (RM60k),  to the standard D-Max double cab 4x4 Auto (RM101k), then the D-MAX V-Cross Safari 4x4 3.0 (RM118k), and with the new Diablo 4x4 3.0 variant (RM118k), there are abundance of choices to confuse buyer.  In between there are auto/manual gearbox, 2.5 turbo diesel or VGS diesel, 3.0 VGS high spec variant, different body skirting, side roll bar, flatbed cover, etc. to choose from.  If you ever want the most basic for your company to carry stuff instead of staff, the single cab could be the best choice, where you need to treat additional of your staff as stuff and put them on the flatbed (which is illegal, but not enforce here).

Interior of different variants are equipped differently as well, and the D-MAX lives up to its reputation as the built quality if perfect.  Simple dashboard, easy to operate dials and buttons.  With high specifications version getting auto aircon, and a flat screen AV system with built-in reverse camera.  All 4x4 models comes with the rotary switch to engage the  4H and 4L drive mode instead of the olden day of additional gear stalk.  Any layman would know how to operate the D-MAX.

Safety gears for high-spec variants are good, with standard driver and passenger airbags, ABS and TCS.  However, lower end of mid-spec variants could have only the airbags or none at all.  Well, a pickup truck construction is not really meant for the replacement of your daily drive.  With a heavy load at the front and light weight at the rear, a driver really need to know the truck well to handle it properly.  Furthermore, a pickup is not meant for driving at high speed, as the uneven weight distribution and rear drive configuration could lead to an easy spin-off with slight mishandling of the vehicle.  Those driving one, please be aware that a pickup is a utility vehicle, but not a race car, drive safe and put others and your safety at highest priority.  Besides a spun-off, pickup truck could easily turn turtle in a heavy collision.  Be safe!

Choices for pickup in the market is abundance, but Isuzu could still be the king of pickup truck.  However, stronger brand such as Toyota Hilux or the tough looking Ford Ranger or the sport looking Mitsubishi Triton or the noisy Chevrolet Colorado or even the mother of all pickup, Nissan Navara are all worth considerations if you are up to one.

RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.35/litre & RM1.95/litre respectively

Crude oil price has been in the lower fourties region for the past month, thus cheaper petrol price is expected and RON97 & RON95 is now @ RM2.35/litre & RM1.95/litre respectively.  Diesel enjoy the largest drop, to RM1.80/litre.

It is weird the with USD on the high of RM4.2 to USD1, could this be the government diversion to calm down the people, especially with huge turnout for the Bersih 4.0 last weekend.  Again, we want the government to "Turunkan Harga Kereta".  The tax of car is horribly high, and we the "Rakyat" deserve better car, at a lot lower cost.

The Jinba-Ittai Mazda MX-5 ND

The all new Mazda MX-5 fourth generation could be the most exciting car launched in 2015.  Nothing beat the concept of Jinba-Ittai of the MX-5 and one must take the car for a drive to experience how the driver is part of the car, and the car is part of the driver.  The MX-5 or Roadster as how it is being named in Japan is in fact, the best selling 2-seater car in the world, surpassing a million unit since it very first generation made its appearance in 1989.  The 50:50 weight distribution of the MX-5, coupled with front engine rear drive configuration always give its fans the thumb-up.  The "ND" is the shortest in all the incarnation, yet looks sexiest. 

As we knew by now, only the 2-litre version of the MX-5 will be offered here, where it could produce a healthy 158hp/200Nm of power, mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.  Manual version is set to arrive, and could be available in the 1st quarter of 2016.  That's a good news for those opting for the 1-2-3-4-5-6 hand exercise and leg clutching movement!  A lot of weigh loss designs were incorporated in the MX-5, as the front fenders, engine bonnet and trunk are in aluminium.  The roadster wheels uses 4-nut mounting to further reduce the weight, and the car has no glove box.

As crazy as American can get with in-car cup holders, the designer of the MX-5 has a modular design when the holder beside the seats could be remove and mounted to the front, right beside the bottom of the centre console.  Now, that's innovation!  The headrest mounted-speaker is back as well and they are nothing else, but the BOSE speakers!  By the way, in case you are looking for the CD player, it is located at the back centre console, right behind the cup holder in between of the 2 seats.  With 9 speakers in such a small little space, bet it could sound as good as being in an orchestra!

The ND meter cluster and center console has retain its tradition of being simple and elegant, with the southward pointing RPM, speedometer, as well as the 3-dial AC control.  The 7" MZD connect system is of course new and is almost standard now in all the Mazda range of car. 

Aircon are similar to Mazda 2, with a combination of round and flat vents in the centre, giving it a cleaner look.  As with a convertible, heater seat is available as standard, though not necessary in our weather.  Carbon fiber printing on the hand-rest of the door, as well as colour matching panel on top portion of the doors, give the MX-5 a well-thought and sportier feel, though such items attract finger prints and scratches easily.  

The MX-5 is also equipped with Mazda i-Activesense safety technology, which comprises of adaptive front lighting (directional according to steering input), High Beam control system (auto switches between high and low beam), and Lane Departure warning system.  4 airbag are standard and the side airbag is huge to protect up to the head level, acting similar to a curtain airbag.  Adding the high-strength SKYACTIV-BODY engineering, and traction control system as standard, this is the safest MX-5 ever.  

The MX-5, since its first generation is the convertible car that retain a usable boot volume by storing its top at the back of the seat instead of folding into the trunk.  The trunk size though not huge, could still house at least a cabin bag in the recess.  No spare wheel, and of course not, who want to carry the extra weight when a tyre repair kit can do the temporal job.  The ND here can be kept as stock from factory where the only mod needed could be a set of lowered suspension to make it perfect for a drive down the B-road on on the track.  

The car is available at RM220k without insurance, which is in the similar price range from the previous generation, NC.  The Mazda MX-5 does not sell as well as other high performance sport cars in Malaysia, but there are still some number of fans looking at their active page of MX-5 Malaysia club.  In couple of months time, we shall see some on our road, and congratulations to those proud new owner.