Klaas in RED

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has yet to renew his contract with Schalke '04, and it might be time for Liverpool to flex some muscle to bring in the Dutch goal-scoring machine.
For some clubs, Friday's deadline couldn't come fast enough; others would do everything in their power to stop the world from turning, if only for a few more moments.
29-year-old Huntelaar is at the stage in his career where he has one, maybe two more opportunities, to sign a lucrative contract with a top club.
His resume is sterling, and his goal-scoring record is face melting. He's played in top clubs all over the world including Ajax, Real Madrid, AC Milan and currently Schalke.
In 378 career club appearances, he's scored 249 goals. That's roughly two goals for every three matches. What's more is his best season was last season, so it's not like he was spectacular at a young age and has begun to taper off like so forwards do.
Last season, he scored 48 goals in 47 caps. I'll let you do the math, but that means he scored more often than he appeared. The Hunter, as he's come to be known, scored 29 of those in 32 league matches.
Louis van Gaal, a manager every bit as prolific as Sir Alex Ferguson or Jose Mourinho, holds Huntelaar in the highest regard. A 2009 article from The Independent compares The Hunter to the great Marco van Basten, and in it van Gaal gives Huntelaar the highest praise:

In the box, he is the best player in the world, bar none.

Strengths

48 goals in three minutes? Yes please!

Huntelaar's most appealing aspect is obviously his ability to bulge the net. He does this by exercising expert control and truly exquisite touch. He can blast them or place them just right.
The Hunter also has a bit of flair about his play style and can be a bit "cheeky" at times. When successful, like a clever back heel, it can electrify the crowd and uplift his side. When unsuccessful, it costs potential points.
As good as he is with the ball at his feet, Huntelaar also has a quality header and can direct a ball away from the keeper when the occasion calls for it.
In fitting with Rodgers' system, the Dutch international can also hold the ball and open up play for team mates.
Weaknesses 
While there aren't many to his game, the Dutchman does have a few draw backs that Rodgers might take issue with.
He's not the fastest forward around, not by any means. Would he be able to keep up with pacey wingers the likes of Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez? Even though Liverpool's mantra is no longer to knock it forward and give chase, a bit of pace wouldn't hurt a forward in Rodgers' system.
Huntelaar, for all of his many qualities and at times, brilliant positioning, might not always go after the ball. He seems much more comfortable letting it come to him. This may or may not be a draw back for the new Reds' system, but it is a point worth mentioning.

Signing a 29-year-old to the Premier League, regardless of how good he's performed in other leagues, goes against the youth movement that Rodgers is carrying on with at Anfield.
We did point out that this could be Huntelaar's last big time deal before he does begin to taper off. So, the question to ask is: Would Liverpool be getting a player at his peak for a couple of years, or a player that is all downhill from here?

Those numbers are hard to match, and even more so in the EPL.
There's no doubt that Huntelaar is a world-class finisher. That point is not up for debate. The aptly named Hunter could provide that killer instinct so lacking with the Reds calculated attack, but at what price?
If the price is reasonable, and Rodgers can free up the funds, Klaas-Jan does provide a very intriguing target. He certainly looks more potent on paper than Daniel Sturridge, also targeted by Rodgers.
If the price is in the neighborhood of £15 million pounds, Rodgers' would have to really be in love with him to sign him at this stage in his career.
That said, if the Northern Irishman can offload Andy Carroll for £15 - 20 million and replace him with Huntelaar, it wouldn't be the worst trade off in the world. You have to figure a front man like Huntelaar would at least fit in a lot better than Andy Carroll.

Transfer Recap
Rodgers has pretty much run the gamut with his four signings so far. He brought in a bargain winger with huge upside potential in Oussama Assaidi. He triggered a lofty buy out clause for Joe Allen, who has proved to worth every penny so far, but it's still early. He signed one the most promising young midfielders on loan from all-world Real Madrid in Nuri Sahin, and he brought in a familiar face in Fabio Borini.

The latest reports have Liverpool and Bolton agreeing to a £3 million transfer for Jay Spearing, according to the Daily Mail.
Joe Cole looked set to make a return to West Ham on loan, but that potential move is being called into question by The Evening Standard. There's still time yet for the 30-year-old to find his place in today's EPL, but Friday night is fast-approaching.
It still remains to be seen if Newcastle are going to up their offer on Andy Carroll, and that seems to be the crux of Rodger's ability to buy more talent.
Clint Dempsey's story is seemingly changing by the hour, but the latest has Sunderland seriously pursuing the 29-year-old, according to the Daily Mail. If that ends up being the play, then Dempsey might be better staying put at Fulham. Everyone is waiting for Liverpool to table an official bid, but as each day passes, it seems more and more unlikely.

Bomus Transfer for Liverpool FC

Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova has told Ibrahim Afellay he doesn't have a spot in his current plans, according to Metro. 
While the 26-year-old seemed to figure into Pepe Guardiola's plans and the younger Cristian Tello was the one to perhaps go out on loan, Villanova is apparently opting for youth. It certainly fits into the Spanish national theme they have going, as Tello is an up-and-comer at the wing position for the national side.
There might still be time for Liverpool to further spite Arsenal, and to return the favor to Tottenham for sweeping Gylfi Sigurdsson from under their feet. Both London clubs are also in pursuit of the former PSV Eindhoven captain, says Metro. 
Brendan Rodgers could certainly use more quality depth at the wing, as the only regular starters presently are Luis Suarez, Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling.
Taking Afellay on loan might be an affordable way to do that if Rodgers is also trying to sign a center forward.
Let's take a look at what the Dutchman could bring to Anfield.

Speed
Afellay seems to have an extra gear with the ball at his feet and should have no problems running by defenders. He possesses wonderful technical ability and can make his opponents look foolish at times.

Familiarity

Afellay won four national title with PSV Eindhoven.

He is well-versed in Barcelona's tiki-taka system and could drop right into Rodgers' adaptation. Afellay is comfortable with the ball at his feet and won't have trouble passing and holding before he can pass again.

Versatility
Originally a midfielder, Afellay was converted to a winger at Barcelona and has since been deployed at that position for his national squad. He still has the ability to line up behind the center forward in an advanced central midfield position and can slip defenders to latch onto ricochets in the box.

Weaknesses 
He offers a number of positives, but the package is not without its caveats. If Raheem Sterling can hold off the likes of Kolo Toure, then it stands to reason Afellay can as well, but his size is very much a concern. While Sterling has been brought up in the more physical British system, Afellay has not had to face very many monstrous defenders in the Netherlands or Spain.
Afellay has never been a prolific goal scorer, and by the numbers, is likely to score in about one in every six games.
While he doesn't provide the most compelling option as a starter, Afellay could serve to bolster Liverpool's depth at the position.
The good thing is we'll likely get to see if he's up to playing in the Premier League, since mainly EPL teams are in the running to land him.
This is just a quick breakdown due the buzz surrounding the 26-year-old today. If anymore smoke starts to rise for a potential move, be on the lookout for a more in depth profile.

Carroll to AC Milan

 

Andy Carroll may be on the move before the transfer window closes after all. AC Milan is interested in completing a loan deal for the Liverpool striker, according to a report by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi's Sport Mediaset (via Goal.com).
The report also states the move would be made with a long-term deal in mind for a fee of nearly £13.5 million. There is still a hurdle to jump, however, since a fee agreement still hasn't been reached between the two sides.
Carroll has been one of the most talked-about names on the market all summer after a disappointing stay with the Reds. He has scored just 11 goals in 58 appearances for the club after being brought in to end the club's offensive woes.
For whatever reason, be it the added pressure of playing at Anfield or a lack of chemistry with his teammates, he hasn't produced at the level the team was expecting. That has made him an expendable piece as Brendan Rodgers rebuilds the roster.

Carroll illustrated during his time with Newcastle United that he's capable of scoring goals at a high rate against top-tier competition, so perhaps a change of scenery is exactly what he needs to get his career back on track.
Milan has been searching for another attacking option ever since Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined big-spending Paris Saint-Germain. Although Carroll doesn't have the same type of track record, he does have more upside at just 23 years old.
The Rossoneri dropped their first league match of the season on Sunday against Sampdoria by a 1-0 score. The lack of finishing ability up front was evident throughout, perhaps helping generate more interest in Carroll.
Several teams have targeted Carroll during the summer, so it will be interesting to see if these talks advance further than any of the previous ones surrounding the striker.

Pass Master that a replacement of Alonso

 

After a 3-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on the opening day of the season brought back the feelings of self-pity which have become all too familiar of late around Liverpool, Sunday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City restored a great deal of optimism among the Anfield supporters.
Although it was only a point earned in the club's first home league under Brendan Rodgers' management, when it would likely have been three were it not for some costly individual errors, there was plenty to praise in the Reds' performance against the champions.
The presence of so many young players in the Liverpool starting XI for such a big match—Raheem Sterling, Sebastian Coates, Martin Kelly, Joe Allen and Fabio Borini, with Jonjo Shelvey coming off the bench after just five minutes for the injured Lucas Leiva—is a very encouraging sign for both the club's present and future.

Kelly may have played a part in gifting City their first goal and Borini is yet to get off the mark in the league for his new club, but they are both set to feature frequently for the club this season and probably beyond.
But the most encouraging performer from that clutch of young players was 22-year-old Allen. The Welshman's summer move to Liverpool from Swansea City may have raised a few eyebrows—mostly because of the £15 million fee the Reds paid for him—but he has quickly shown that he will be central to Rodgers' vision of his overhaul of the team.

Rodgers did not instigate the transformation at Swansea that made them one of the foremost exponents of passing football, not just in Britain, but in Europe. That style was introduced by Roberto Martinez and then perpetuated by Paulo Sousa before Rodgers made it truly effective, to the point where they won promotion to the Premier League last summer and comfortably stayed up.
Allen was a vital part of the midfield upon which that success was based, and he has now brought a skill-set rare among British players to Anfield.
Against City, Allen's passing was exemplary. He only misplaced one pass during a first half that Liverpool deservedly led by the end of. At the end of the game, he had a pass completion rate of 93 percent. In his first two league games as a Liverpool player, Allen has only failed to hit his intended target with a pass a total of six times.

And his range of passing is not all sideways passes back and forth between the players around. In the City game, all five long balls he played across and up the field were collected by the teammate he was aiming for. Even in defeat at West Brom on his league debut, Allen made all 11 of his attempted long passes as he posted a 96 percent completion rate.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and another Reds midfielder, Charlie Adam, are notorious for their fondness of the "Hollywood ball", the over-ambitious attempt to pick out a teammate from range that usually ends either going out of play or gifting possession to the opposition. Allen, by contrast, simply has his long-distance passing in his armoury and uses it when necessary, hence his greater success.
Of course, football is not all about pass completion rates and heat maps despite this being the era of pouring over seemingly infinite reams of data. For example, in the City game defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong also registered a percentage of 93, and few would extol the virtues of his fluid passing game. But when a player's brief is explicitly to keep the ball moving around the team and keep possession, as Allen's is, then such figures are highly relevant.
His sensible and decisive movement both on and off the ball were the perfect example of what Rodgers is trying to achieve at Anfield, but his defensive contribution of three tackles and four interceptions should not be ignored either.
If Rodgers is to be a success on Merseyside then Allen is going to play a huge part in that success. So far, he is more than holding to his end of the bargain.

Mitsu Mirage incoming!!!!

Reader Stephen Khong managed to snap this picture of the sixth-gen Mitsubishi Mirage near Ara Damansara, not too far from Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia’s office in Saujana. We last spotted an example in April, just a week or so after it began production at the Laem Chabang plant in Thailand.
That car, which had its face and rear covered up, had a rear roof spoiler with integrated third brake light, and was painted in Eisen Grey Mica. This one is painted in what appears to be Pop Green Metallic – another exterior colour option for us, perhaps – and the roof spoiler is clearly visible.
No official word yet on when we’ll be getting the Mirage here, if at all, but we do know there has been considerable interest in the car across the border, with more than 15,000 orders received in the first month.
The Mirage has a 1.2 litre 3A92 three-cylinder MIVEC making 78 PS at 6,000 rpm and 100 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
 http://paultan.org/

New Mazda 6...coming to town

The next-generation Mazda 6 has made its world debut at the Moscow Motor Show, and we now have full details of Mazda’s D-segment challenger, which is the second car after the CX-5 to marry the carmaker’s Kodo design language with Skyactiv tech. This is an important model – Mazda calls it the flagship model of a new generation of vehicles.
The focus is on driving pleasure. Program Manager Hiroshi Kajiyama describes the new 6 as “a car that handles so well it seems to respond directly to the driver’s intentions rather than the physical manipulations of steering, braking and accelerating.”

“In short, the new Mazda 6 offers the ‘joy of driving’ that people have come to expect from Mazda, but the experience starts even before you get behind the wheel and lingers long after the drive is over. I can’t wait to see the look on the faces of people getting out of the car after their first time behind the wheel of the new Mazda 6,” he adds.
The 6 was never the biggest car around, but this one is spacious. The front wheels have been moved forward by 100 mm in relation to the A-pillars, and a 2,830 mm wheelbase (30 mm longer than current Accord) delivers good cabin space.
At the back, knee clearance is 43 mm better than the previous model, while leg room, at 984 mm, is 37 mm up on the old car. The length of the rear seat cushion has been increased by 20 mm and the seat back length by 33 mm. Overall length is 4,865 mm.

Up front, the driver gets an i-Drive style “multi commander” to control various functions via the five-inch colour centre display. Trip management information is displayed on a 3.5-inch multi-info display in the meter cluster, which has a classic three-dial layout. There’s no colourful illumination like in previous Mazdas – this one is more classy and serious.
Underneath, the Mazda 6 sits on a Skyactiv chassis that comprises front struts and rear multi-links, tuned for “agile driving performance in the low to mid-speed ranges and stability during high-speed driving.”
The Skyactiv body structure makes wider use of ultra-high tensile steel, reducing weight while at the same time improving torsional rigidity by about 30%. The car’s slippery shape and optimised underbody contribute to a class-leading coefficient of drag (CD) of 0.26.

Two Skyactiv-G petrol engines have been announced, a 2.0 and a 2.5, both chain-driven, direct injection four-cylinder units. The smaller unit is the one with the higher compression ratio (14:0 compared to 13:0 for the 2.5) and it makes 150 PS and 210 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The 2.5L does 192 PS and class leading 256 Nm of torque at a rather low 3,250 rpm, which is a good thing. Six-speed transmissions are available – one has a choice of manual or auto for the 2.0, but the 2.5 is auto-only.
There’s more. The new 6 debuts i-ELOOP, Mazda’s brake energy regeneration system which begins charging a capacitor (a unique method) the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. Electricity stored in the capacitor can then be used to power electric components throughout the car. This lessens burden on the engine and improves fuel economy. Mazda’s i-stop start-stop system, with a class leading engine restart time of 0.35 seconds, is also present.

By the way, claimed combined fuel consumption is 6.1 litres per 100 km for the 2.0 auto with i-stop and 6.4L per 100 km for the 2.5 auto with i-ELOOP and i-stop. Kerb weight for the family ranges from 1,340 kg to 1,410 kg.
Available safety kit include High-Beam Control System, Adaptive Front-Lighting System, Hill Launch Assist, Emergency Stop Signal (hazard lights rapidly flicker in the event of panic braking), Rear Vehicle Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning and the infrared Smart City Brake Support. The latter auto brakes the car below 30 km/h to prevent or reduce impact.
 http://paultan.org/

Liverpool 4-3-3 under Rodgers

 

A shaky start for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool saw the Reds unconvincingly edge past Gomel in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier. The "tiki-taka" style of play is not an overnight development, and fans should realise this before jumping on the bandwagon and already branding Rodgers a failure.
Liverpool are still only partially fit, with players such as Luis Suarez not even training with the squad yet so fans will have to wait a little longer before witnessing a full-strength side.
That being said, speculation is never too early.
Any side can be tweaked and tinkered with, and with the depth in a squad of a calibre such as Liverpool's, no player is guaranteed of a starting spot.

GK: Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina is one of the league's best, no question. For this reason alone, this slide doesn't need a lot of justification.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RB: Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson's starting place is under some threat with the emergence of Martin Kelly, and though the latter is incredibly talented, Johnson's improved performances (notable defensively) have made him my No. 1 choice for the right-back slot.

 

CBs: Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger

Provided both defenders stay at the club and stay fit, they pick themselves.
The pair have kept club legend Jamie Carragher out of the side by offering uncompromising, reliable defending. Daniel Agger's fitness has notably improved, and Skrtel's all-round game has skyrocketed.
Again, an easy inclusion.

LB: Jose Enrique

A brilliant start in Liverpool red last season was marred by a slight dip in performance levels towards the end of the season, but Jose Enrique beats challenger Jack Robinson to the left-back spot convincingly.
Enrique offers pace, intelligence and strength while attacking and defending and therefore will start the majority of games unless a serious contender suddenly emerges.

 

CDM: Lucas Leiva

Lucas Leiva has recovered months early from an injury that ruled him out of over five months of play last season. A determined attitude, dedication and general ability gives Lucas a convincing nod over Jay Spearing, who looks determined and dedicated, yet also completely lost.
Lucas, as seen against Gomel, will sit in front of the back four, breaking up opposition attacks while orchestrating Liverpool ones. Lucas's absence was heavily felt in the Liverpool midfield last season, and we're all glad to have him back.

CM: Steven Gerrard

The HUB of the Liverpool side for a little under a decade. A decade.
Gerrard is the epitome of the complete midfielder.
Steve Gerrard, Gerrard,
He'll pass the ball forty yards,
He's big and he's f*cking hard,
Oh Steve Gerrard, Gerrard.
In a nutshell.
Gerrard is simply irreplaceable and would still walk into any side in England.
So he walks into this one.

CM: Jordan Henderson

Oh, this one was tough.
Alberto Aquilani has departed, Charlie Adam has looked awful and is not yet match-fit, and Jay Spearing has also looked a disaster.
Aside from throwing Suso into the deep end, the only real competition Henderson faces is Shelvey. I thought long and hard about this one, and I believe Henderson pips Shelvey to the post.
Oooops. Don't mention the post. As Liverpool fans, we don't like the post.
Moving swiftly on, both Shelvey and Henderson show promise.
Henderson has been chucked into the first team and criticised heavily for somewhat lacklustre performances. But, we must remember he was deployed on the wing, and he is by trade a central midfielder.
Give the young man another chance, in his preferred role, and if he disappoints, replace him. However, until then, Henderson starts in central midfield for me.

Wingers: Joe Cole and Stewart Downing

Firstly, the reason there is no specific right wing or left wing spot is because nowadays wingers interchange positions regularly.
Downing and Cole have looked lively and much improved this preseason, and therefore they should be given the nod to start the season in pole positions. Cole was arguably Liverpool's best player against Gomel before he tweaked his hamstring, and Downing's goal spoke volumes about his improved performance levels.
Also, aside from putting Luis Suarez or Fabio Borini on the wings, Cole and Downing represent one of the few options Liverpool have. Sterling will not start games in all likelihood, leaving no out-and-out wingers.

Striker: Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is perhaps the perfect striker to play in this system.
Quick, aware and possessing an extraordinary ability to create something from nothing, Suarez will be pivotal to any success the reds might have next season. Suarez needs to be as clinical for Liverpool as he seems to be in a Uruguay shirt, and if he does this, expect the press-magnet to be high up in the goal scoring tally come next May.
El Pistolero, Carroll and Bornini will all fight for the prized place up front, but Suarez will relegate the latter two to the bench.
A no-brainer really, unless Suarez replaces Downing or Cole on the wings, opening a spot up for Borini or Carroll.

Nissan Almera, arrive here in KL.....better late than never!!!

After months of teasing and speculation, the Nissan Almera was officially previewed by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) this morning to the media. We’ve had quite a “long history” with this car, reporting live from its global unveiling in China, before showing you spyshots of the car from across the country. There was even an ad from an ETCM outlet last month which threw out some prices.
Well, no more guessing, because here’s the real deal. The Almera name has been chosen for Malaysia over ‘Sunny’ and this big B-segment sedan is receiving the baton from Nissan’s previous effort, the Latio. That roomy car was awkwardly shaped with sharp edges, but the Almera carries a smooth, curvy shape.

The footprint of the new car isn’t much different from the Latio – the 1,695 mm width is unchanged while the Almera’s 4,426 mm length is up by 11 mm. Wheelbase remains at 2,600 mm, which is a good 50 mm longer than that of the Toyota Vios. The Latio was the Peter Crouch in its class; the Almera is less lanky by 21 mm, but still dwarfs over classmates Vios and Honda City.
The Almera’s generous dimensions allows ETCM to claim best-in-class cabin space and highlight the car’s 636 mm rear legroom as USPs. Boot volume is a generous 490 litres. Shoppers in this segment who put space as priority will love the Almera, no matter what some “enthusiasts” say.

Sitting on Nissan’s V platform that also underpins the March hatchback, the Almera is par for the class under the skin. Front MacPherson struts, a rear torsion beam, ventilated discs up front and rear drum brakes are entirely expected for this application. The Almera rides on 185/65 R15 tyres.
We already know that unlike the Thai Ecocar spec Almera (1.2L three-cylinder, 79 PS/106 Nm), our Almera will be powered by Nissan’s HR15DE 1.5 litre engine.

In Malaysia, this DOHC and VTC equipped four-pot makes 102 PS and 139 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and is mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Not class leading on paper, but it would be foolish to equate headline figures with real world drivability – they do not always walk hand-in-hand. Nissan’s internal tests say that the Almera is capable of 14.9 km/l combined.
Equipment-wise, top-spec Almeras get some pretty cool kit such as Intelligent Key with push-start button, which means your key fob never needs to leave your pocket or bag. Not to be scoffed at, since some cars costing over RM400k don’t have this feature. The car’s boot can also be opened remotely via the key fob.

Automatic climate control and steering wheel audio controls are also available; the latter is quite a novelty in an affordable Nissan. The Almera also has what Nissan calls Fine Vision Meter (self illuminated, also found in Infinitis) with multi information display.
Five colours are available – Brilliant White, Tungsten Silver, Twilight Grey, Sapphire Black, Bronze Gold. Prices are not yet finalised, but expect to pay between RM70k to RM85k. ETCM is not revealing the trim levels yet, but some of the highlighted kit will only appear on higher grades, naturally.
You can register your interest now (either online or at the showcase locations below), but deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter at the latest.

The Almera will be on display at Pavilion KL and Dataran Pahlawan (Melaka) this weekend, before heading to Queensbay Mall Penang from August 16 to 21, Paradigm Mall PJ from August 23 to 26, Juru Autocity Penang from August 30 to September 2 and East Coast Mall Kuantan from August 31 to September 2.
 http://paultan.org/2012/08/10/nissan-almera-1-5l-officially-previewed-by-tan-chong-rm70k-to-85k-deliveries-starting-in-q4/

Any One going for China Pick Up?? Proton, you better get ready..

The Foton Tunland has been spotted again, this time in the Klang Valley. Reader Brendan saw the vehicle in Serdang and along Seremban Highway on the weekend, and duly snapped a couple of shots of the side and rear of the truck.
Like the lightly disguised example seen in Penang last week, this one is making its road-evaluation rounds with trade plates. The sightings probably indicate that a market introduction is due soon enough, though in its specification form the pick-up is likely to have commercial-based leanings.

The Foton Tunland, which we first came across in the metal when it was on display at Auto China 2012 in April, is powered by a 2.8 litre Cummins ISF2.8s4161P oil burner, with 161 hp at 3,600 rpm and 360 Nm from 1,800 to 3,000 rpm for numbers, mated to a Cadillac-derived manual transmission.
Still no idea if it’s Berjaya or Warisan TC Holdings who are doing the testing – Warisan TC, through its Angka-Tan and Kereta Komersil Seladang subsidiaries, are in business with Beiqi Foton here, as is Berjaya, which sells the Foton View commercial van.
 http://paultan.org/2012/08/22/foton-tunland-spotted-again-this-time-in-kl/

Will Sime Motor will bring this to Malaysia??

It looks like there has been strong interest from prospective Thai customers to the Ford Territory Titanium TDCi show vehicle displayed at the Bangkok Motor Show back in March, because news has come about that the Australian-made SUV is set to begin selling in Thailand.
Ford Australia announced that the first batch of seven-seater SZs is on its way to the Kingdom, with 100 all-wheel-drive Titanium TDCis the pioneer batch.
The vehicles have been reworked to Thai specifications – the radio has been modified to tune in 50 kHz increments instead of the 100 kHz increments used in Australia, and the rear-passenger DVD player has been specifically updated to play Thailand-region DVDs.

The Territory units heading to Thailand are 2.7 litre intercooled single-turbo 60-degree V6 TDCi diesel variants, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
It’s not the first time the Territory is being sold in Thailand – Ford Australia previously exported a small
number of the vehicle to Thailand in 2005, and has also sold 2,300 Territorys in South Africa. The primary export market for the SUV is New Zealand.
 http://paultan.org/2012/08/22/ford-territory-the-sz-heads-off-to-thailand/

New Toyota Altis 2013!!!

Toyota will unveil the next-generation Corolla Altis sedan next year, and according to Toyota and Scion USA vice president Bill Fay in an interview with WardsAuto, the new Toyota C-segment sedan will be a clear departure from the outgoing model.
According to Fay, the new Toyota Corolla will have an even more dramatic change than the recently-launched Toyota Avalon. The new Avalon is Toyota’s flagship sedan in the USA, one size up from the Camry. There were indeed big changes in the Avalon on both the exterior and interior. The Avalon now has a four door fastback coupe kind of look which reminds us of the Audi A7 from the side view, while the model it replaced looked like a bland giant Camry.

We can expect the new American market Corolla to be used in our region as the Corolla Altis, as that was the way it was for the last few generations. There is stiff competition in the C-segment scene these days in both terms of design as well as value for money in terms of equipment, but in Malaysia the Corolla Altis continues enjoy the promise of reliability and good resale value that the Toyota badge brings. Still, an edgier design wouldn’t hurt at all.
The renderings you see in this story by our resident automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin was inspired by the new Toyota Auris. Could this be the face of the next generation Toyota Corolla Altis?
 http://paultan.org/

New Toyota Avalon....why we dont get this!!!!

The car above is an example of what happens when Americans take over styling duties. This is the new Toyota Avalon, recently revealed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, and it is redesigned for the premium mid-size sedan segment.
The design of the Avalon was the brainchild of a youthful team at the Calty Design Research Inc. in Southern California and Michigan. The engineering duties were taken care by the Toyota Technical Centre in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To keep it American, assembly responsibilities will be shouldered by Toyota’s facility in Georgetown, Kentucky when the Avalon goes into production.

The brief from Akio Toyoda for the new Avalon was to have a car that is more stylish, bold, sporty exterior design and luxurious interior styling in an enhanced dynamic package.
The Avalon will be numerous structural and chassis improvements to enhance ride quality, straight-line stability and handling. Strategically placed welds, improved body bracing and high-strength steel in key areas will imbue the car with better torsional rigidity, a stiffer chassis and an optimised suspension performance.

Shoring up suspension duties are MacPherson struts with advanced valving and rebound springs for a balanced handling and agility with ride comfort. The coil spring rate as well as the front and rear sway bar stiffness was increased to rein in body roll and help body control. Even the EPS has been retuned to deliver more control and agility and stability.
There will be three drive modes – Normal, Eco and Sport. Eco changes the throttle response and A/C power usage to improve fuel economy. In Sport mode, throttle response is enhanced and steering is weighted a bit more from centre. Paddle shifters offers a sportier drive while in D or S mode, the latter mode revised the throttle and helps improve shift response to maximise engine power and performance. Toyota has not revealed the engine choices for the Avalon as yet.

Toyota admits that the new Avalon is more compact than its predecessor but has better proportions and retains the same wheelbase, all the while being the lighter car. The exterior styling defines a sleek profile that helps communicate a sense of motion even at standstill. Other design highlights is the longer, sloping roofline, flared front fenders and reduced front and rear overhangs, lower vehicle height and reduced body-to-tyre gap. The Avalon will have the option of either the 17” or 18” alloy wheels.
Key exterior elements are the square Double-eyes PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) headlamps with HID and DRL, the wider front grille, LED combination tail lamps and dual rear tailpipes.

Inside, the Avalon is well endowed with rear legroom. The front seat’s hip point has been lowered by 10 mm to create better headroom. A concave dash panel design help create the impression of more space. Supple leather trims, hand crafted decorative stitching and soft touch materials add to the rich-feel of the interior. White ambient light illuminates key places in the interior for a loftier sense of luxury.
To improve NVH, sound absorbing materials are strategically placed around the cabin and body structure so it does not increase weight. The windshield and front side-glass panels uses acoustic glass to control sound intrusion into the cabin. Wind noises are reduced through the exterior cowl and louver sealing, out mirror shape and position, and wiper-blade position.

The Avalon will offer the Entune multimedia system, advanced capacitive touch switches, three-colour display screens for the multi-info display, audio/navigation interface, climate control, Display Audio system with 6.1” touchscreen are available as standard. The JBL Synthesis Premium Audio system, HDD Navigation with 7” screen, dynamic radar cruise control, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats, three-zone air conditioning are available as options.
In terms of safety, the Avalon will feature Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist and Smart Stop technology brake-override system. It also gets 10 airbags, a pre-collision system that sense impending frontal collision and help prevent major damage. The brake pedals have adopted a variable ratio that varies the initial and final pedal effort ratios for better brake pedal feel.

A Blind Spot Monitoring system, in addition to the rearview mirror, helps eliminates blind spots. A new Rear Cross Traffic Alert system (RCTA) alerts drivers of cross traffic when backing up.
The Avalon will be the new flagship of Toyota in the USA and will go on sale later in the year.

Mercedes-Benz C 180 introduced – RM228k

Of late, companies seem to be introducing models without any fanfare – one such example is Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s newest C-Class variant, the C 180 BlueEfficiency. The car slipped in unannounced, popping up recently on the company’s website in quiet fashion.
The cheapest W204 rolls in at RM227,888 on-the-road without insurance, 35 grand cheaper than the C 200 CGI in its Elegance specification level. The introduction of the variant is not with the 154 hp and 250 Nm 1.6 litre M 270 DE 16 L that has just gone on the C 180 BlueEfficiency in other markets, but with the same 1.8 litre mill as found on the C 200 and C 250 CGI versions here.
In the case of the C 180, the DI turbocharged M271 DEH features an output tune of 156 hp at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm at 1,600-4,200 rpm, identical to that on the C 180 Coupe. Performance specs for the 1,495 kg offering include a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.9 seconds and a 223 km/h top speed, and like its siblings, the C180 wears a 7G-Tronic seven-speed transmission.
As to be expected, there’s some omission of kit – the C 180 is missing the speed-sensitive steering, bi-xenon headlamps and electric rear screen roller blind found on the C 200, among other things. There’s ECO start/stop in the mix, and the dampers set-up on the car is the same as that found on the C 200 Elegance variant.
Inside, the variant features a black or grey interior, with Artico leather upholstery and piano black trim (the C 200 features high-gloss burr walnut trim on the Elegance and aluminium on the Avantgarde). The C 180 rides on 17-inch alloys like the rest of the range, in this case a five double-spoke design.
http://paultan.org/2012/08/17/mercedes-benz-c-180-introduced-rm228k/

Sporty Lexus LS 2013

You’ve already been teased and treated to lots of leaked photos, and now it’s official – the new generation 2013 Lexus LS range has been launched globally, making its debut at the glamorously-named ‘Lexus Laws of Attraction’ exhibit in San Francisco.
The LS 460, LS 460L and hybrid LS 600hL return refreshed, but new to the family is the LS 460 F Sport, boasting exclusive features such as tuned and lowered air suspension (by a centimetre), Brembo brakes with six-pot callipers, sport seats and 19-inch forged wheels.
Buyers have a choice of all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive; if you opt for the latter you get a Torsen limited slip differential at the rear. On the outside, the F Sport has a 3D mesh front grille, bigger cooling openings and round fog lamps to distinguish it from its siblings.

The 386 hp, 4.6 litre V8 seems to be unchanged from the previous-gen model’s, continuing to power all LS variants except for the LS 600hL, which pairs a 5.0 litre V8 with two electric motors and remains the most powerful of the group with its combined output of 438 hp.
The LS 460 and its long-wheelbase L variant also come with either all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive, while the LS 600hL is available with all-wheel-drive only.

So what’s really new across the range, apart from exterior changes and the much touted ‘spindle grille’? Gadgetry. We’re talking about Lexus here, so bear with me.
Ever concerned with ride quality, Lexus says its flagship car now pitches and bounces less thanks to new frequency-dependent dampers. It has also improved body rigidity, noise insulation, steering and brakes.

A Pre-Collision Safety (A-PCS) system with Collision Avoidance Assist, which Lexus says is the most advanced in the industry, is a new safety feature. At speeds below 38 km/h, when it senses an impending collision the system brings the car to a halt, not unlike Volvo’s City Safety system.
The Blind Spot Monitor is now offered on the LS, in tandem with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which warns you of an approaching car when you reverse out of a parking space.

New PSG Away 2012/13

MU Away 2012/13

New SS Lazio Home 2012/13

New Manc City 3rd Kit 2012/13