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Tokyo 2009: New Toyota Mark X

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:55:03 +0000

The new Toyota Mark X’s Mazda-like wheel arches are even more obvious in real life than in photos. Toyota has basically taken the existing Mark X design and literally did a facelift on it, seemingly stretching the front design outwards and upwards.

As for the rear end, the car’s bangle butt design has been toned down a little and the tail lamp design now stretches onto the car’s bootlid. Kinda reminds me of the Sylphy really. Look after the jump for more live photos of the Mark X at Tokyo 2009.

Suzuki SX4 hatch updated with more power

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:53:44 +0000

The Suzuki SX4 Sport Crossover (that’s the hatchback version, not the sedan) has been updated with new specifications in Malaysia. On the outside, the model adds auto-retractable side mirrors with intergrated signal indicators, new design 16 inch alloys, and a new front grille.

Inside, there is a new meter cluster with an integrated MID, a new design for the automatic climate control panel, armrests for the front seats, illuminated audio controls, and an additional dash center speaker and aux-in socket for the audio system.

The most significant change has been to the engine – output is now 110 horsepower at 5,600rpm and 150Nm of torque at 3,800rpm instead of the previous power figures of 101hp at 5,600rpm and 140Nm at 4,000rpm. This means the engine will now perform much better – it now makes more torque, but at a lower RPM at the same time. The 4-speed automatic remains. Other technical changes include a revised front suspension for better comfort, and the addition of ventilated discs for the rear brakes.

The car goes for RM89,998 in Peninsular Malaysia, OTR with insurance. From what I heard, the CBU Japan odd-looking “tall” sedan version can be had at some Suzuki dealerships for much cheaper under RM80k after a RM12k discount.

Naza Picanto: latest facelift now in Malaysia

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:51:52 +0000

This is the new Naza Picanto, just launched by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd a few days ago at The Curve. Yes, this is the CKD Picanto that was previously called the Naza Suria, but now the Suria name has been dropped and replaced by the Kia name, though the Naza badge remains. The Suria name was probably inspired by the Picanto’s Korean market name, which is the Kia Morning.

The most obvious change is of course the aesthetic update to the latest look that has been available from Kia internationally. With the latest facelift in Korea, there were actually two different front ends available but Naza has picked the version with the rounded foglamps to sell here. There is another one with leaf-shaped look foglamps and funkier alloy wheels, probably some kind of special edition.

On the inside, the interior has been updated with orange backlighting for the controls and meter cluster. The meter cluster is complete with an RPM meter but there is no water temp meter. The head unit provided is a 1-DIN design with USB support so you can read your MP3 files off a USB thumbdrive and do away with carrying CDs in your Picanto. The 1.1 liter engine revs up to 6k RPM and puts out a peak of 64 PS at 5,500rpm and 96Nm of torque at 2,800rpm. I like the fact that peak torque is made under 3,000rpm, which is usually the point an automatic car would shift gears if driven gently. But in any case acceleration from 0 to 100km/h will take a long 15.1 seconds.

In terms of safety, the front passenger and driver get two airbags – one each. The airbags are only available on the more expensive EX model. None of the models have ABS. There are four 3-point belts and a lap belt for the rear center. Wheels are 14 inch steels for the LS and 15 inch alloys for the EX, wrapped with 165/60R14 and 175/50R15 tyres respectively. The EX goes for RM46,800 while the LS goes for RM44,500. If you are in the market for one I’d recommend you just go for the EX since you get alloys and two airbags for a premium of RM2,300.

Also note that the Picanto is basically the original car that the Hyundai i10 was based on, and the i10 is sold at a higher price of RM48,888 in Malaysia. But the i10 comes with ABS brakes and a 5-year warranty while from the Naza Kia website it appears the Picanto gets 2 years, though it looks like a (optional?) 2 year extended warranty program is also available. Also, the i10’s CKD packs come from India, while the Picanto’s CKD packs probably come from Korea.

Prices for Volkswagen Passat CC and Scirocco officially unveiled; both cars in showrooms

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:50:34 +0000

Two new Volkswagen cars have been added to the Volkswagen Malaysia range – the Passat CC and the Scirocco. The Passat CC is available at the showroom today, while the Scirocco is said to be at all showrooms next week onwards.

The following are the launch prices:

Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TSI – RM243,888
Volkswagen Passat CC – RM239,888

The Passat CC’s price is a bump up from the Passat’s RM228,888.00 pricetag. The Passat CC has a 200 PS 2.0 liter TSI engine with turbocharging and direct injection but it does not use a DSG gearbox. Instead like the Tiguan it is mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic slushbox automatic. It is based on the Passat platform but with a sportier roofline (think of MB E-Class versus CLS-Class), and is 50mm lower to the ground and 30mm longer. If you need a little more in terms of looks, you can get an Abt kit.

Features are generous – 6 airbags, ABS, traction control, stability control, ISOFIX seat points, and adaptive chassis control which adjusts the suspension damping and power steering assistance characteristics to suit the driving pattern.

Look after the jump for e-brochures for both cars.

Chithirakala saman Samy Vellu dan isteri

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:48:57 +0000

Bekas CEO Institut Pembangunan Pendidikan Maju (MIED), P Chithirakala hari ini memfailkan saman fitnah terhadap Presiden MIC, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu dan isterinya, serta akhbar Tamil Nesan.

Dalam saman berasingan itu, Chithirakala mendakwa ketiga-tiga pihak berkenaan telah memfitnahnya berhubung insurans institut tersebut.

Chithirakala menyaman Samy Vellu berhubung kenyataannya bahawa dia (Chithirakala) telah mengambil wang insurans MIED dan mengalihkannya ke sebuah syarikat milik suaminya.

Dalam samannya terhadap isteri Samy Vellu pula, Chithirakala mendakwa Datin Sri Indrani telah membuat kenyataan memfitnah berhubung karektor dan kerja profesioanlnya yang disiarkan dalam Malaysiakini.

Chithirakala menamakan akhbar Tamil Nesan kerana menyiarkan lidah pengarang yang didakwanya telah memfitnahnya dan keluarganya.

Lagi penulis blog politik disiasat

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:48:12 +0000

Seorang penulis blog yang sering mengkritik kerajaan dipanggil untuk untuk memberi keterangan di Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Perdagangan di Kuala Lumpur petang ini.

Bernard Khoo, atau lebih popular dengan nama blognya Zorro-Unmasked, dijangka memberikan keterangan itu jam 3 petang ini di ibu pejabat jabatan itu di Bukit Perdana.

Siasatan itu berhubung satu catatannya di blog tersebut tetapi setakat ini belum jelas artikel atau foto yang dipertikaikan.

JIM setuju Dr Asri diberi tauliah

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:46:51 +0000

Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), yang menentang Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin dilantik mengetahui sebuah yayasan Islam berpengaruh, bersetuju jika bekas mufti itu diberikan tauliah mengajar di Selangor.

“Kalau beliau ada kelayakan itu, maksudnya beliau layaklah untuk diberi tauliah. Beliau kena ikut apa kelayakan yang perlu daripada Jabatan Agama Islam Selangor (Jais),” kata presiden JIM Zaid Kamaruddin.

“Macam sesiapapun yang hendak mengajar, kenalah minta tauliah daripada mana-mana jabatan agama dan kena melalui proses untuk ambil tauliah.”

JIM bersama sejumlah NGO Islam membantah Dr Mohd Asri dilantik mengetuai Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Yadim), badan yang dinaungi kerajaan, dengan alasan antaranya beliau “seorang yang tidak berhemah” dan “tidak berhikmah.”

“(Idea) Dr Asri seringkali tidak seiring pandangannya dengan sebahagian besar ulama an NGO Islam arus perdana.

“Kerajaan sepatutnya menghormati kerjasama Majlis Amal Islami Malaysia di bawah naungan Yadim yang telah dirasmikan oleh Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“Pelantikan Dr Asri hanya akan memutuskan tali silaturrahim yang terjalin dan MAIM akan pincang sekiranya Dr Asri menerajui Yadim.

“Dr Asri yang terpengaruh dengan pandangan dan pendekatan ulama tertentu juga seringkali bertentangan pandangan dengan para ulama dan mufti-mufti negeri lain.

“Dalam berhadapan dengan perbezaan pendapat ini, Dr Asri telah mengambil pendekatan berkonfrontasi secara terbuka tanpa menitikberatkan soal adab dan kemaslahatan umat Islam keseluruhannya.

“Semasa menjawat jawatan mufti kerajaan negeri Perlis, beliau kerapkali membelakangkan pandangan Jawatankuasa Mufti peringkat kebangsaan dan sentiasa lari daripada berdialog secara tertutup dan beradab, sebaliknya mencari populariti di media,” memorandum bantahan itu dipetik.

Memorandum bertarikh 12 Oktober itu disampaikan kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong baru-baru ini – tidak lama sebelum bekas mufti Perlis itu ditangkap dan disiasat oleh Jais, hujung minggu lalu.

Dr Mohd Asri disiasat berhubung kuliahnya di sebuah banglo di Hulu Kelang atas kesalahan mengajar tanpa tauliah.

Bagaimanapun JIM menolak andaian wujudnya hubungan antara memorandum kepada Agong itu dengan penahanan yang dibuat Jais.

Dihubungi Malaysiakini hari ini, Zaid berkata kandungan memorandum berkenaan sebagai protes berasingan berhubung tawaran jawatan yang dipertua Yadim kepada Dr Mohd Asri.

“Ini tidak berkait secara langsung dengan penahanan tersebut,” katanya. “Sememangnya kita berpandangan beliau tidak sesuai dengan jawatan berkenaan.”

Beliau diminta mengulas perkara tersebut apabila timbul cakap-cakap yang cuba mengaitkan isu memorandum bantahan itu dengan siasatan terhadap agamawan itu.

Selain JIM, Persatuan Peguam Muslim Malaysia (PPMM), Persatuan Peguam Syarie Malaysia (PGSM), Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (Teras) dan juga Persatuan Ulama Malaysia (PUM) Wilayah Persekutuan antara 13 NGO yang menandatangani memorandum berkenaan.

Mengulas kontroversi penangkapan Jais itu, Zaid berkata JIM bagaimanapun kesal dengan tindakan itu dan menyifatkannya sebagai “pendakwaan memilih-milih”.

Tambahnya, jabatan itu sepatutnya lebih berhati-hati dalam mengambil tindakan terhadap Dr Mohd Asri walau Jais mempunyai bidang kuasa untuk berbuat demikian.

“Kita tahu memang Jais ada kuasa untuk tangkap orang, tetapi betulkah semua penceramah di semua masjid di Selangor ini ada tauliah?” katanya lagi.

VIDEO: 400 meter slot car track in a W212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:45:55 +0000

Mercedes-Benz decided to showcase its new E-Class Estate’s interior capacity by building a 400 meter long slot car track inside it. A publicity stunt no doubt but still makes an interesting watch. Look for the video after the jump.

Petua Hilang Karat Pada Gigi

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:44:14 +0000

Cara untuk menghilangkan karat dari gigi adalah dengan dengan mengambil biji asam jawa, kemudian gorengkan tanpa minyak lalu ditumbuk hingga halus. ambil debunya dan gosokkan pada gigi dengan kain atau berus gigi.Lakukan setiap hari dan InsyaAllah anda akan dapat melihat kesannya.

PM tolak spekulasi p’raya mengejut

chips84 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:43:23 +0000

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini menafikan bahawa keputusan kerajaan pusat memberi wang ehsan minyak kepada kerajaan PAS Kelantan, ada kaitan dengan spekulasi pilihan raya mengejut akan diadakan di peringkat pusat.

Spekulasi mengenai perkara itu tersebar luas ekoran tanggapan umum bahawa kerajaan pusat akan hanya memberi wang ehsan seumpama apabila pilihan raya sudah dekat.

Bercakap dalam sidang akhbar di bangunan Parlimen hari ini, perdana menteri sebaliknya bertanya apa kaitan pemberian wang ehsan kepada Kelantan itu, dengan pilihan raya mengejut.