Lets be honest, the cold-bloodedness of the local auto industry tax structure hasn’t been especially kind to niche models. So as you can imagine, niche models, such as convertibles, don’t really entice because of the price.

Being a demand and supply catch, car manufacturers understandably don’t list convertibles on the top of the ‘New Model Import’ list for us.

Therefore, in order for a convertible to sell marginally well on our shores, it can’t just be a convertible but needs a little dose of bipolar disorder for it to project some sense …

Recently at a Volvo showroom in the Klang Valley, Volvo Cars Malaysia (VCM) proudly announced the arrival of its latest model to its stable of already enviable models available for the Malaysian market by highlighting the lifestyle that can be experienced and enjoyed through owning such a vehicle. The vehicle or model that was introduced was none other than the new Volvo V50 2.0L Powershift, a sporty and attractive estate, otherwise also known as a station wagon.
According to VCM, if you are looking for a high-spirited, compact premium wagon that …

Anyone reading this would know which one is the Proton Saga, right? No, I’m not talking about the new models but the old ones, with manual tranny or auto? Well, if you’ve had a Saga before when you’ve just gotten your license or driven one, then you know that the old Saga is neither the grandest nor the most luxury of cars. It may be cheap, may be the weapon of choice when participating in a certain race in Pasir Gudang, and it may be your daily driven car now.
But …

The rising concern and attentiveness of the masses, or rather the general public towards fluctuating fuel prices has brought about a bold move by Volvo Cars Malaysia, who recently made available the new S40 2.0 Powershift in Malaysia as a move apparently in sync with the worldwide shift towards reduced fuel consumption.

The new Volvo S40 2.0’s innovative Powershift transmission provides a smoother and seamless drive which also translates to an even better fuel efficiency compared to the 2.4litre version which has been available in Malaysia for the last couple of …

TC AUTO TOOLING Sdn Bhd (TCAT) recently unveiled its new Revolutionary Multimedia Navigator System, which makes every stage of navigation all the more smarter, simpler and safer, at the Tan Chong & Sons Motor Assembly Plant at Jalan Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.
Invited members of the motoring and mainstream media who attended this event were treated to quite a positive start to the event even before it started as about twenty brand new Nissan Sylphy cars already equipped with the TCAT Multimedia Navigation System greeted them as they arrived for the event. …

The Jaguar XF in itself is a brilliant piece of technological machinery that could serve it up to its peers on any stretch of tarmac but let’s be frank; discreetness isn’t one of its finer attributes.

With premium performance pals like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG to an extent, that exhibit a more demure and discreet persona, the XFR could hardly stick out more like a sore thumb with its hood vents and widened bumper intakes.

Nonetheless, the very cosmetic traits that give discreetness a solid boot out the window …

Inside & Out
Every now and then we get lucky, in the sense that we come across a test car that we really like to drive and would love to keep. The new Citroen C5 is a premium executive sedan that we liked very much and would love to keep. The new Citroen C5 was released last year but has only just reached Malaysian shores. From a first glance and impression, it is unmistakably French, through and through.
The Citroen C5 faces the same task that its predecessors had failed to live …

Let’s get to know Kamal Motor and their latest addition to their arsenal…
Malaysian Super Series round 4, Super 16 class and the cars were prepared and ready to race. On the track, lights went on and blast off! And one of them, was this Honda EK9. Sadly, the car did not make it to the end. In Race 1, Sharul Hisham lose control of the car when it was smooched rather violently on its rear end and went off track. The car’s rear bumper was lost too when the car …

It’s in the blood as they say and in the case of Honda, performance is definitely a primary gene that has long been infused into its intricate deoxyribonucleic acid, that’s DNA to us lounge-chair lackeys that can’t tell the difference between an organelle and an organism.

Anybody that has sprinkled a pinch of Honda into their driving batter would always be left with a pleasant and distinct aftertaste of performance in their throat. Not all the vehicles bearing Soichiro Honda’s Family initials would be labeled tarmac-scorchers but nonetheless, getting behind the …

A refreshed Kia Picanto has been unveiled for the local market with a sharper facade that will surely see it build on its success as Kia’s best selling model wit over 867,533 units sold worldwide.

On the exterior, the face lifted Picanto sees a friendlier face with a cuter headlight design and a blacked out hexagonal mesh grille while the rear benefits from a lip spoiler and refreshed circular tail lights.

As a finishing touch, the wing mirrors are now mounted with LED indicators to stylishly raise safety.

Step inside and the positive …

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) now has a stable of impressive, head-turning models exclusively tuned by Impul, and one of these exclusive models is the four-door sedan Nissan Latio Tuned By Impul.

The Nissan Latio Tuned By Impul is termed as exclusive because it has a limited production run and is targeted at customers who want a sportier, more distinctive Latio with driving characteristics and performance that is at a whole new level when compared to the stock Latio and other rival models within the same segment.
The Impul …

Hanging out and meeting up over drinks is very much a Malaysian thing, be it for socialising, work, or just to relax. The many ‘mamak’ restaurants, kopitiams, foodcourts, cafes, bistros and roadside stalls that are scattered all over Malaysian cities and towns serve as the ideal places or venues for hanging out and meeting up.
Recently Trafficmagonline came across a rather interesting and unique cafe nestled in the heart of Petaling Jaya that will definitely appeal not only to the Malaysian public in general, but specifically motoring enthusiasts, as this cafe …

We don’t have to mention SRF’s reputation for the company is synonym to the world of motorsports for years. Saidi’s name can be traced all the way back from the PERT team in the 90’s to now own SRF company.
In one of the past issues of Traffic Magazine, we covered his Drag Satria that clocked 12 second-ish on the quartermile. Now we have this Subaru Impreza S203 Spec C being prepped up for MRC ’09.

MRU Motorsports’ original plan was to run a Sierra XR to compete in the MRC, which …

How do you get a Honda NSX, a Nissan R34 Skyline GT-R, and a Nissan 350Z Fairlady to be in one place at one time? No, I’m not talking about what’s impounded at the local police station. I’m talking about the real thing, R34 with scissor doors on 20″, Veilside-kitted 350Z also on 20s and an actual but stock standard first generation NSX bringing up the rear.
Simple.
You take three of your kids, get them valid or ‘not-so-valid’ licenses and give one each to them. You will either create a hell …

For all you city dwellers, I’m sure that you’ve experienced the frustration of being unable to find a parking space for your car, particularly when your stomach is not reacting so well to whatever you just ate.
This is something you can try, but not immediately. You have a few years to think about this option before it becomes available globally.
Seen this car around?

Yes, I’m sure you’ve seen the car zipping in and out of traffic and parked at the most ridiculous place (in places where you can’t even park a …

Not many car brands evoke such passion and memories as MINI does so effortlessly. By stretch or by hatch, we all have a memory related to a Mini or know of somebody that owns one or has had an eventful memory in one.

Believe it or not, yesterday was the 50th anniversary of arguably one of the most historic incidents in automotive history, the unveiling of the original Mini. With such an ostentatious occasion on hand news from the grapevines was that MINI were planning to lift the lid on a concept …

While we’re always on the lookout for more power from that turbine or a new custom extractor, sometimes we forget about our one and only earth, and since we’re always so green, we can’t help but to paste this on Trafficmagonline.
Ever heard of EfficientDynamics?
Well, to put everything in two sentences, it’s a technology created by BMW to give their cars a way to save mother earth without compromising driving pleasure. Hybrid? Well, BMW has come up with a way to tell the world that they don’t really need hybrid technology …

Italian might not have been an extracurricular language club you could have signed up for in school but I’m pretty sure you’ve guessed the first word in the heading is ’sporty’ for Italian 101 today the rest of it reads ‘and cute’.
Yes people, the sporty and cute Alfa Romeo MiTo has finally reached our shores to allow Alfatisti access to the complete line-up from the brand courtesy of Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, that now manages the brand in the country.

However, Auto ConneXion have only brought in one specific spec …

Hail to all you naked bike riders. Sorry, I’m still in the mood of the fashion show I attended recently of which my editor is still disallowing me to write about ‘em girls.
For all you Ducati lovers, Naza has just launched the very first naked superbike that comes standard with Dynamic Traction Control (for the S-version) – the Ducati Streetfighter.

The bike was unveiled by SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of Naza Group and Next Bike Sdn Bhd at a press preview today.
For those of you who’s not …

As if the Porsche 911 GT3 wasn’t mind-bogglingly quick enough the boffins at Zuffenhausen have given it the diet and steroid treatment to leave us with another car that we will probably never own but would be willing to trade our souls, mother-in-laws and hot secretary for a spin in it.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS as it shall be dubbed sees a bump up in ponies, tips the scales slightly lower and for good measure shorter gear ratios. Even the body and suspension components have been upgraded to squeeze out …