New 2013 Nissan 370Z pricing and overview

The 2013 Nissan 370Z has been revealed for Europe; starting from £26,995 (around RM124,200) onwards, while the Nissan 370Z Nismo edition will cost from £36,995 (RM170,300).  If only we can get such great pricing in Malaysia, it will be a dream come true won't it? 

Back to the 2013 Nissan 370Z. It will ship with a 3.7-Litre V6 engine, producing 328PS and 363Nm of torque for the base line spec. The flagship 2013 Nissan 370Z Nismo edition will produce 344PS, 16PS more than the standard baseline Nissan 370Z. The 370Z Nismo edition will also include a more aggressive body kit, uprated suspension, stronger brakes, and also a sportier exhaust note. 

The 2010-2012 Nissan 370Z does 0-100km/h in 5.3 to 5.6 seconds, so we can expect similar performance from the 2013 Nissan 370Z. The top speed for the 2010-2013 Nissan 370Z is 249km/h or 155mph. 

The 2013 Nissan 370Z will also feature daytime running lights, which seem to be getting more and more common as every manufacturer slaps their new models with one.

The full price list. Note: to convert to Malaysian Ringgit, £1 = RM4.60. 

Body	Grade		Transmission		OTR
Coupe	370Z		Six-speed manual		£26,995
Coupe	GT		Six-speed manual		£31,995
Coupe	GT		Seven-speed automatic		£33,445
Coupe	Nismo		Six-speed manual		£36,995
Roadster	GT		Six-speed manual		£36,495
Roadster	GT		Seven-speed automatic		£37,945

New 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo, even better!

Faster, strong, and better! This basically sums up the new 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo. The New Type 991 generation of Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Turbo S gets an all new all-wheel drive with active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, and full LED headlights.

Perhaps the main highlight will be the new Porsche 911 Turbo S, which produces 560hp (412kW) from the 3.8-Litre flat 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine, while the 911 Turbo without the S gets 520hp. Controlling the power is the famed 7-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK), and the Porsche 911 also comes with auto stop-start function. The chassis has also been revamped, and is now 100mm longer.

In terms of raw performance figures, 0-100km/h (0-62mph) is done in just 3.2 seconds for the Porsche 911 Turbo, and 3.1 seconds for the Porsche 911 Turbo S. Top speed is a stellar 317km/h.

For the first time, the new Porsche 911 Turbo models will receive The PorscheDynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active anti-roll system, which increases the dynamic performance potential of the Porsche 911’s handling characteristics. This system is standard equipment on the 911 Turbo S, together with the Sport Chrono Package Plus incorporating dynamic engine mounts, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB). These are also each available on the 911 Turbo.

Porsche 911 Turbo meter cluster

As a consequence, the 911 Turbo S shortens the benchmark lap time around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife to well under 7 min 30 sec – naturally on standard production tyres. The standard ‘sound symposer’ intensifies the driving experience further still; transmitting induction sounds of the turbo engine to the passenger compartment via a speaker diaphragm.

Maserati Presents The All-New Maserati Ghibli To Debut In Shanghai

Maserati has unveiled the official images for their new 4-door sports saloon, which will be seen in flesh at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month (April 2013). 

Dubbed the Ghibli, Maserati aims to create a new benchmark with its sportier character as compared to the larger Maserati Quattroporte. The Maserati Ghibli will feature a turbocharged  3.0-litre V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Maserati Ghibli's will be able to switch between rear wheel drive and the new "Q4" all-wheel drive system.

The Ghibli will also become the first Maserati production car in history to be powered by a diesel engine, with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

Lyonheart K (Jaguar E-Type inspired)

Limited to a 250 cars production run, the Lyonheart K Coupe and Convertible are now open for order with a list price of US$481,000 for the coupe, and US$501,000 for the convertible. That is a whopping 1,500,000 ringgit! RM1.5 million! And this excludes taxes or excise duties, but includes free delivery within Europe. 

The MINI Paceman renewed! All-New Paceman

The MINI Paceman renewed!

The all-new MINI Paceman has been revamped with a new exterior design, a better suspension setup, and updated interior.

A coupe version of the MINI Countryman, the Paceman is available with as a Cooper S Paceman version that performs the 0-100km/h (0-62mph) sprint in just 7.5 seconds.

Ford Focus ST, Europe’s top selling hot hatch

Ford Focus ST, Europe’s top selling hot hatch

The first time I saw the Ford Focus ST in flesh was during a Ford roadshow held in Mid Valley mega mall sometime last year. It looks great, donned in an orange finish with a really sporty-rally look. Further popularized by Ken Block, the Ford Focus ST fits the image of a road-use, practical sports car.

It is no wonder that Ford Focus ST sold 1,984 units alone from October to December 2012, outselling competitors like VW Golf GTI and the Renault Megane Sport.

Quick Facts: Ford Focus ST 2012

Engine: 2.0-Litre Inline-4 Cylinder Ti-VCT EcoBoost DOHC 16V Turbocharged

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive 

Horespower: 24hp (250PS) 

Torque: 340Nm 

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds 

Top Speed: 248km/h

Price: RM208,888 on the road.

Car of the Day: Subaru WRX STi

Car of the Day: Subaru WRX STi 

The Subaru WRX STi looks very sexy in sedan form complemented by a huge spoiler. It does look sleeker (or less aggressive) compared to the older Subaru Impreza WRX STi version 9. 

Quick facts

Engine: 2.5-Litre 4 cylinder Boxer engine

Horsepower: 300PS | 296bhp | 221 kW

Torque: 407Nm

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Drivetrain: All-Wheel drive

Acceleration :0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 5.2 seconds

Top Speed: 254km/h (158mph)

Price (New):  RM249,000 OTR

New Jaguar XFR-S, Jaguar's fastest saloon

Jaguar will be unveiling its Jaguar's XFR-S, the fastest ever sports saloon produced by Jaguar so far. 0-100km/h (0-62mph) is done in 4.6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h (186mph). This is possible through Jaguar XFR-S' 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, producing a whopping 550Ps and 680Nm of torque. The Jaguar XFR-S will be available in the UK at £79,995, which is about RM377,200 (with taxes probably close to RM1 million mark? We will see).

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director said: “I’m delighted that Jaguar is able to present the XFR-S in action for the first time in the UK, and that a Jaguar motorsport hero will be behind the wheel. The crowd at Goodwood will have a unique opportunity to see and hear the ultimate expression of seductive Jaguar design and sporting performance in the XFR-S - well in advance of first deliveries to customers this summer.”

The Mercedes SLS AMG E-CELL: Go Green!

Providing some competition to the Tesla, this all electric SLS AMG E-CELL will feature 4 electric motors that provide a combined output of a whopping 525bhp (392kW / 532PS); yes that is a similar figure from the Audi R8 V10! 880Nm of torque will also ensure that you stick to your seats during acceleration. 0-100km/h (0-62mph) is done in 4 seconds. In comparison, the petrol version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has 563bhp (420 kW / 571 PS) and maximum torque of 650 Nm (479 lb/ft), and does 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.8 seconds.

550PS New Audi R8 V10 Plus: 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds!

Audi’s R8 has been given a tune, dubbed as the Audi R8 V10 Plus, revealing 550PS from its 5.2-litre V10 engine. In comparison, the standard R8 V10 quattro produces 525bhp (532ps) from the same 5.2-litre V10 engine.

0-100km/h (0-62mph) is done in 3.5 seconds now, which was 3.7 seconds previously. At this calibre of performance, a 0.2 second is no easy feat!

 Top speed is now 317km/h (197mph) thanks to its S tronic DSG gearbox, an increment of 4km/h from the already awesome original top speed of 313km/h (196.35mph).

Scirocco R

Compared to a standard Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0TSI, the exterior looks pretty much the same. This is the same story with the 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TSI Volkswgen Scirocco. What you do get is, a more powerful engine, aggressive air intake openings in the front bumper, a front diffuser, dual xenon headlights, a much larger rear roof spoiler, rear diffuser, and a Talladega 18 inch alloy wheels.