Naza Bestari 206 with Porsche Tiptronic 'box

NAZA Corporation is offering a 32� LCD TV or a lap top computer with every NAZA 206 Bestari, in addition to the 3 year free service and 5 year warranty package.
This promotion starts on 8 December 2007 and ends on 31 December 2007.

Please call the NAZA Corp customer hotline at 03-2617 7777 for more information.

BMW 335i with DINAN remapped ECU

BMW's high performance 335i coupe (E92) gets tweaked by tuner Dinan, by way of ECU reflashing upgrade. Throttle response is further sharpened (as if the stock standard one isn�t responsive enough!) with horsepower hiked to a loftier 384hp (from standard 306hp) at 5700 rpm while torque is a wrench-bending 570Nm at 4300rpm! For just the ECU remap job, you need to fork out USD$1,999 � but that�s the main mod in order to extract the IL6 twin turbo�s higher potential. However, with the turbocharged 6-pot running much hotter, an additional oil cooler is warranted, which will further add cost to the upgrade.

NEWBIE CARS� associate Dan who had sampled a PROcede modded BMW 335i with about 350hp (the owner requested anonymity) said it was bloody wicked and deceptively rapid. While the PROcede conversion nulls and void BMW�s original warranty, the Dinan guys (at least over in the U.S.) claim to be able to offer a warranty that parallels the original manufacturer�s.

Watch out BMW (E92) M3!

Related post:

http://cwmak.blogspot.com/2007/10/bmw-335i-coupe-test-driven-on-malaysian.html

Coming soon: BMW Driver Training Experience in Sepang, Malaysia

It has been 30 years that BMW AG has conducted this safety training for drivers, which started in Munich for the German police force. NEWBIE CARS was there for BMW Malaysia's final Drivers Training session for the year 2007. Watch this blog for the exhilarating and educational experience in a fleet of brand new BMW 325is (E90)...

Proton BLM: Spy pictures leaked

Thanks to readers Dennis and BMW.Toyota, we have some internet images depicting Proton's upcoming Iswara replacement model dubbed BLM (Base-Line Model). Slated to make the over-two-decades old Saga (ah! finally) obsolete, the BLM is a 3-box saloon based on the Savvy platform.

Chips Yap of MTM have indicated that this new Proton model will be launched in 6 weeks time. Prices are guess-timated to be between RM30k to RM42k and it looks like Perodua will have something to worry about. Will Perodua Viva's feather get ruffled further?

Brookland Motors now official Citroen distributor in Malaysia

Brookland Motors Sdn Bhd is now the sole importer and distributor of Citroen automobiles in Malaysia. Having invested more than RM7 million setting up 3S (Sales, Service n Spares) centres in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Baru and Kota Kinabalu, existing owners of Citreon cars have every reason to rejoice in confidence. In addition, more 3S centres will be up and running in Petaling Jaya, Ipoh and Kuantan soon.

To kick start things, the new Citroen Grand Picasso MPV (pictured below) is slated for launch sometime next year. However, it remains to be seen whether the sleek all-new C5 will make it to Malaysian shores as well.

Related post:
http://newbiecars.blogspot.com/2007/10/2008-all-new-citroen-c5.html

BMW 320i Highline promotion

In response to the newly launched Mercedes-Benz C200 Kompressor (W204), BMW Malaysia is currently offering a limited edition BMW 320i Highline, which runs a production of only 88 units.

More executive-looking the even the SE variant, it features a full-chrome windows outline, more elegant 17-inch alloys, tinted rear tail lights, Burr Walnut interior trim plus beige or black Dakota leather upholstery. External paint choices are however, limited to only platinum bronze metallic or black sapphire metallic.

The 320i Highline retails for RM242,800 (OTR without insurance).

Call BMW Voice for more info at 1-800-88-3000.

Mazda5 gets facelifted for 2008

One of the most tidy-looking midi-MPV around, the Mazda5 will undergo a mid-life update to keep it fresh ahead for 2008 and beyond. The MRZ 2.0-litre petrol engine has been completely revised and now has drive-by-wire throttle and sequential variable valve timing (S-VT), much like the current (facelifted) Mazda6 2.0L. The auto �box will have an extra cog with the updating exercise making it a 5-speed torque converter. According to Mazda, the new motor uses 4 percent less fuel than the outgoing 2.0L 4-pot. The facelifted MPV also features new front dampers and a refined suspension along with a newly optimized brake booster.

The 2008 Mazda5 will continue to have bilateral power sliding rear doors that open and close in less than five seconds and stop automatically if obstructed. They can be operated via a button near the driver�s seat, by tugging the door handles or with the remote control key.

Inside, the Mazda5 facelift features a new navigation and audio systems while the interior is claimed to be quieter - and more comfortable - thanks to the new multi-resonator located around the fresh air intake duct that lowers engine noise, strengthened wheel rims and Thinsulate insulation sheeting newly added to the roof liner to reduce road noise.



The 'new' Mazda5 is expected sometime Q2 2008 in Malaysia, to be fully imported from Japan and officially distributed by Cycle and Carriage Bintang (CCB).