Audi R8 2013

  IT seems scarcely believable,but the R8 is now six years old.Hardly looks like it doesn't it?It boggles the mind that it has stood the test of time as well as it has,looking just us graceful and futuristic today as it did in 2006.Audi has just released pictures and details of the 2013 R8,which has been given a mild nip and tuck incide and out.From the looks of it,there are no major changes visually.That's just as well'as none were needed anyway.
  Before we delve into the details,let's go back to that figure-six full yearsfrom initial introduction to facelift.Within the same amount of time,Porsche transformed its much-criticised 996 into the lovely 997,and still had time to spare to develop and launch the revolutionary 991.So is Audi being lazy,or was the original R8 such an innovative and visionary product that it needed little to no updates to stay competitive?You can draw your own conclusions,but take note of this-Audi launched the R8 in 2006 with its aluminium space frame technology,a feature that no production Porsche has been able to replicate.
  The visual updates include lightly revised front and rear bumpers,larger rear diffuser and most prominent of all,new full-LED headlight (now standard on all variants) and taillight.Exhaust tips on all variants are now circular,following the limited-production R8 GT that was introduced in 2010.The headlight graphics now appear more aggressive than before,arguably losing some of the elegance that made the R8 such a fashion icon in the place.
  There are much bigger changes underneath the sheetmetal.The standard R8 retains the same 4.2-litre V8 engine,though its power output has been increased to 430bhpNM of torque.New R8 V10 owners will not get a power upgrade,the 5-2-litre engine still pegged at 525bhp and 530Nm.Those who insist on having more speed will have to get the 550bhp/540Nm R8 V10 plus,a new flagship model that comes standard with a carbonfibre front splitter,rear diffuser,sideblades and unique black tailpipes.These add-ons however,are available on all variants as cost options.
  New to the line-up is the 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox that replaced the old Lamborghini-sourced R-Tronic self-shifting transmission.Audi claims that the new gearbox shaves off three tenths of a second off the R8's 0-100km/h time on all models compared to the manual variants.Such equipped,the 2013 R8 V8 takes 4.3 seconds to get up 100km/h,while the range topping R8 V10 plus annihilates the century sprint in just 3.5 seconds.

Bently Continental GT & GTC

  ALONG with the World of Bently showcase,the team from Crewe flew down some demo cars for select media to test drive.We had a go in the Continental GT and GTC with both cars sporting the new 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine.
  Prior to this the Continental range was available only with the 6.0-litre w12 in varios states of  tune.The new V8 has ben co developed with fellow VW Group brand Audi but each engine is sent to Crewe to be 'Bently-ised' before it's fitted to the car.The numbers bear this out.You get 500bhp and 662Nm and though both are down on the W12,you could hardly call them inadequate especially since the new engine brings with it lighter weigh,reduced CO2 emissions and an 8-speed automatic (recently fitted to the W12 too).
  The V8 cars get some styling tweaks to give them a slightly different look and feel.There are new lower bumpers,black mesh grille inserts,red-B logos and exhaust pipes shaped like the number eight.Inside,there is the same level of quality and-built craftsmanship,though the dashboard design is starting to date just a bit.You forget such minor things when you start the engine.
  The V8 woofle and thunder when at higher revs is completely to this engine.There is a louder sports exhaust option so this is clearly the Bently to sho-off in.Performance is effortless with thrust available from anywhere you want.You can also select ride stiffness levels but we would steer clear of the hardest settings unless you were on a racetrack.With peerless AWD traction,it's a safe and competent handling car with enough comfort for long distance touring.
  The same can be said for the GTC though obviously you get the benefit of a fabric.How often you'll use it is debatablebut it does cut a more elegant profile than the metal roofed GT.Either way,you would be getting one of the best GT cars in the world and with the new thunder from the V8 motor,it will also be one of the best to listen to.

ML-CLASS

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

THIS is the car that all Alfistis around the country have been waiting for,the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.Replacing the popular 147 and slotting in between the Mito hatchback and 159 saloon,the new Giulietta is set to be the brand`s bread and butter offering. Though the 147 was made in both three and five-door forms,the Giulietta is only designed as a five-door hatchback.It features a Volkswagen Golf-sized rear compartment but a coupe-like roofline and disguised rear door handles(as used on the 147)to enhance its sporting credentials.The shape draws obvious influence from both the outgoing 147 and the newer Mito supermini,but it looks modern than either. It has the most striking three-dimensional version of Alfa`s shield grille yet,supported by two prominent lower lateral air intakes.The muscular sculpting of the body sides leads to prominent rear haunches,with an exposed exhaust tip and a diffuser beneath a rear panel whose LED taillight echo shapes pioneered in the 156. Inside,the Giulietta echoes the twin-binnacle,driver-oriented fascia design that Alfa have traditionally used,but with the familiar centre stack replaced with a simplified,lateral panel.The interior uses novel trim textures and body-coloured metal to signify a change from Alfa traditions. At 4351mm in lenght,the car is about 150mm longer than the Golf or the 147.The 2634mm wheelbase is 50mm longer too,and although its extra length makes it look low,it is 50mm higher than the car it replaces. The new Giulietta promises exceptional handling performance and comfort levels with its sophisticated MacPherson strut/milti-link suspension setup.It is also fitted with a new Electronic Q2 system,which improves the tranfer of drive torque to the wheels and,in particular,guarantees excellent cornering behavior thus making the car safer and more enjoyable during a spirited drive or in poor road grip conditions. Alfa purists and manual lovers will be treated with a 235bhp 1750 TBi Quadrifoglio Verde(Four-leaf Clover)variant with a six speed manual`box later on in the year,but until then,only one variant is offered for the Malaysian market-the Giulietta 1.4TB Multiair with a 6-speed Twin Clutch Transmission.With 168bhp and 250Nm of torque,the turbocharged Alfa gets from 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds on to a top speed of 218km/h.Its advanced Multiair engine also gives it excellent fuel economy,averaging over 19km/L on the combined cycle. The latest Alfa Romeo in town is available in three colours-Ghiaccio White,Alfa Red and Black-and is priced at RM178,888 excluding roadtax and insurance.

Subaru Impreza WRX The New 2012 Impreza WRX Sports Cars

THE battle between Subaru`s Impreza WRX STI and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution(both on and off the track)was the stuff of legends.Their respective World Rally Championship successes brought both the names to fame,each garnering strong cult followings among hardcore driving enthusiast and the younger Playstation era alike.Choosing sidess between the STI and EVO camps was a must,the same way that you belong to either the Star Wars or Star Trek fan clubs,but never both(or at least you can never admit to liking both equally). In 2008 homever,Subaru dealt a cruel blow to all its fans by unveiling a brand new WRX STI model in hatchback form only.Not content with just one blasphemous move,the company went even further to alienate its supporters by dropping the Impreza nameplate from its new badging structure.With a new name that had lost its original charm and housed in an unfamiliar body shape,the latest-generation WRX STI failed to live up to its legendary ancestors,and while its rallying efforts faltered due to the 2008 economic downturn,so did the sales numbers. This year marks the return of the King,as Motor Imange Malaysia has launched the 2012 Subaru WRX STI is four-door sedan form.Yes,the Impreza name is still nowhere to be seen,but at least we have the boot back!For the 2012 model,Subaru`s rally-bred hero featurees improved versions of the Symmetrical All-Whell Drive(AWD)system and Boxer engine.The 2012 Subaru WRX STI is now only available in sedan form,and there are two trannies to choose from-eaither a five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmission. Additionally,Subaru has also included some nifty features including the Multi-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control System(VDC System),which offers flexible performance for changing driving conditions-Normal,Traction,and Off(as in completely off).The subaru Intelligent Drive(SI-Drive)allows the driver to select the driving mode that best suits the individual.Put it in`Intelligent`mode for smooth power and optimal efficiency.Select`Sport`mode for versatile command of every condition.To extract the maximum response from the turbo-charged engine,switch to`Sport Sharp`mode. The Subaru WRX STI is now available at Motor Image Malaysia outlets in Petaling Jaya,Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bharu.On-the-road pricing for the STI starts from RM249,000.00 onwards.For further information,visit the showrooms or their website at www.motorimage.net/MY.

Polo Sedan

Engine & Gearbox • 1.6l 105PS petrol injection 16-valve MPI engine • 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic

Interior • Adjustable steering wheel (tilt and telescopic) • All 4 power windows (with one-touch up and down on all windows) • Central locking system • Centre console including 2 cup holders • Electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors • Front centre console including 12V outlet • Fuel-lid with push style opening • Genuine leather- wrapped steering wheel, gearshift knob, handbrake lever and gearshift boot • Height-adjustable driver & passenger seat • Interior chrome package (chrome surrounds for light switch, AC vents, steering wheel accent, handbrake lever knob and gearshift) • Instrument cluster with tachometer, speedometer, trip odometer and digital clock • 'Metric' fabric seat upholstery • Multi-function display  • Power door locks( includes safe-LED)  • Power steering • Radio with CD-MP3/WMA player and 4 speakers including roof antenna • Rear defogger • Rear doors with storage compartments • Remote control for central locking, with 2 foldable keys  • Remote opening and closing of windows with key remote • Remote opening of boot lid with key remote • Storage compartment in front doors including cupholders for 1.5 litre bottle • Storage pockets on front seat backs • Sun visors on both sides, ticket holder on driver’s side and vanity mirror on front passenger's side • Trunk illumination • White instrument backlights

Exterior • 15" alloy wheels 6J x 15 • Body-coloured bumpers • Body-coloured exterior door handles and mirrors • Chrome finish on front air dam, trunk and fog light surrounds • Heat absorbing glass • Height-adjustable halogen headlights

Safety equipment • 3-point safety belts for rear occupants • Driver and front passenger airbag with side airbags, front  • Anti-lock braking system ABS • Anti-theft system with interior surveillance and back-up alarm • Electronic anti-theft immobiliser • Electronic brake pressure distribution EBD • Fog lights, front and rear • Height-adjustable 3-point front seat belt • Height-adjustable headrests, front and rear • High mounted third brake light • Pinch-guard safety for all 4 power windows