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New Honda Accord marries grown up looks with sporty performance characteristics

Honda USA has just revealed what the upcoming 10th generation Accord will look like. Sporting a completely new look, the car is lower, wider and has a shorter length. It is said to have a lighter and more rigid body structure featuring an advanced new chassis design as well as two all-new turbo engines.

The signature chrome grille stretches across the entire front end and is flanked by the sophisticated 9-lamp LED headlights system. The front bumper has a two piece design with the blackened centre portion being integrated with the grille assembly. The contours provide the car with a muscular presence while the roof features a sleek and fluidic silhouette that tapers off toward the rear end.

The shorter overhangs, 10mm lower centre of gravity as well as the long and low hood give the entire design a more sporty look especially when viewing the car from the side. This should be to the liking of those who want a D-segment car but with the looks that allow it to fit in just about anywhere.

Like The Honda Civic, the Accord features angular rear taillights but features a broader and more grown up asthetic. Unlike the previous generation one, the new Accord has a hatchback design for the rear, which should help increase cargo carrying capacity.

Honda constructed the new Accord using the Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure that has a crash stroke front frame and tailor-tempered rear frame members that will improve crash energy absorption. The extensive use of adhesives for the car’s bodywork is to increase rigidity, noise and weight reduction.

Speaking of the new car, Jeff Conrad, senior vice president of the Automobile Division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc, said, “We are redefining the Honda Accord for a new generation of buyers by bringing something unexpected that challenges the idea of what a mainstream sedan can. Even as we advance core values like great driving dynamics, safety performance and efficiency, the distinctive design of this all-new 2018 Honda Accord will help it appeal to both head and heart in equal measure.”

There are two engines to choose from, the first, a 1.5-litre turbo that can be mated to either a CVT or 6-speed manual, produces 192bhp and 260Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre turbo engine, produces 252bhp and is similar to what powers the Civic Type R. This particular engine replaces the 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 in the previous generation Accord.

This 2.0-litre powerplant is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which Honda boasts takes greater advantage of available torque while maximizing quietness and efficiency during highway cruising. The hybrid variant gets two electric motors that aids a 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engine deliver fuel sipping driving behaviour. These motors utilize magnets that have no heavy rare-earth metals in them, which is a first in the industry.

Inside the cabin, occupants are treated to a panoramic front view thanks to the spacious construction of the A-pillars. The upholstery is tastefully done, complete with well crafted arm rests. Buttons and switches are arranged in a rather neat manner, which is what we have come to expect from automakers like Honda. It has even gone on to say that the meticulous attention to detail on their part has aided the switchgear throughout the cabin, to have the required tactile and visual quality feel.

The instrument cluster is made up of a slim 7-inch TFT display that is complemented by a new 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that offers physical volume and tuning knobs. These are welcomed additions considering how cumbersome it can be to turn down the audio volume on a conventional fully touchscreen system.

As far as safety tech is concerned, the new Accord comes with Honda Sensing® safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard. It comprises of the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and new Traffic Sign Recognition.

Additional available driver-assistive technologies include Blind Spot Information, front and rear parking sensors, Cross Traffic Monitor and Driver Awareness Monitor. All variants feature a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines.

Then, there’s the standard stuff that comes with most Honda cars these days, which are Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), advanced front airbags, driver and front-passenger side airbags and new driver and front-passenger knee airbags.

Over here in Malaysia, we wait with baited breathe for the launch of this new Accord. It may take a while before we hear any news about its local launch, but we are still hoping that Honda hastens the process.

Jaguar E-PACE executes perfect barrel role for Guinness Book of World Records

Jaguar’s new young gun can’t seem to stay out of the news these days. This time, the E-Pace has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for its loop-the-loop attempt. It’s basically a 50-foot long jump complete with a 270-degree corksrew-like ‘barrel roll’.

Speaking of the E-PACE, Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, said, “Established Jaguar design principles ensure the E-PACE is immediately recognizable as the sports car of its class. Our new compact SUV combines the interior space, connectivity and security that families expect with the kind of proportions, purity of design and performance not usually associated with such a practical vehicle.”

Despite what many might think, the feat, before it was attempted, took months of planning, testing and analysing of data, fine tuning the stunt as well as modeling the ramps and various other elements. The stunt driver who piloted the E-PACE to the successful jump, Terry Grant, experienced a G-Force of 5.5 during the 270 degree twist, which required careful calculation of speed and height for the stunt to be successful.

Guinness World Record adjudicator Pravin Patel said, “This amazing feat really was a sight to behold. While I’ve seen the barrel roll stunt in film, witnessing this incredible feat in real life was something pretty special. Congratulations to Terry and Jaguar for setting another epic Guinness World Record title.”

This stunt was the final test of agility for the vehicle after after a grueling 25 months of R&D that assessed the readiness of the E-PACE, which is Jaguar’s answer to Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The Jaguar E-PACE is a five-seat, compact SUV that has been designed to incorporate the automaker’s current design language. The signature oval shaped grille, elongated headlights, fluidic silhouette are accounted for including contours that exude a sense of elegance that isn’t very common with SUVs.

There are two available options for engines, both of which are 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol ones. The top end powerplant produces 296bhp that allows the E-PACE to sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.4 seconds on on to a stop speed of 243km/h.

The E-PACE comes equipped with a plethora of systems that include the all-wheel-drive system that has a torque bias enabling it to behave like a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. There’s also a fair bit of safety kit that include Autonomous Emergency Braking system, which supports Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition, as well as the Intelligent Speed Limiter and Driver Condition Monitor systems and blind spot detection system.

One of the most notable features is the company’s Head-Up Display tech that shows 66 percent more information on the windshield than contemporary systems. It uses a large, full-colour graphics with enhanced clarity. Info that that pops up here are the essentials including vehicle speed and navigation directions in full view at all times, with alerts and updates for the infotainment and convenience features.

The Jaguar E-PACE will be manufactured in Europe and Asia to cope with demand. It will also be the first vehicle from the company that will be manufactured under contract with Magna Steyr. No word yet on when we will see this particular Jag on our shores, but we will let you know more as we find out.

Tips to help decrease fuel consumption

Fuel Consumption is a topic that’s very important to most of us. Due to the ever increasing price of fuel, many are looking for ways to trim expenses, and the first place they start with, is their cars.

It’s a common misconception that only smaller engine cars are able to offer good fuel consumption figures. This isn’t true, because the main factor that determines your FC is your driving habits and car maintenance.

As such, the following are some steps that might alleviate your fuel consumption woes:

#1 – Check your tyre pressure
You’d be amazed as to how much tyre pressure contributes to your car’s fuel consumption. Some experts estimate there is a 0.4% increase in fuel consumption for every 7kPa of pressure below the recommended level. That adds up to a significant amount when you have tyres that are 70 to 110 kPa below what tyre manufacturers recommend.

# 2 – Service your car regularly
An engine is comprised of many moving parts, and all of them need to work together to give you the performance you require. If it isn’t getting the proper lubrication, then that diminishes performance and increases fuel consumption. As such, ensure that you change your engine oil at regular intervals.

#3 – Avoid excessive braking
Generally, braking is the act of reducing you car’s current speed. The engine had to burn a significant amount of fuel to get you to that speed, and by braking excessively, you are wasting your fuel. Curb the habit of applying your brakes unnecessarily and instead, rely on coasting or allow enough space between the car in front to help reduce the need to reach for the brake pedal.

#4 – Avoid idling
Unintentionally, many of us keep our engine running while parked. Usually its because we are on the phone or waiting for someone. Though the burn rate isn’t as significant to driving at high speeds, its significant enough to put a dent in your petrol budget.

#5 – Don’t speed
Speeding or accelerating at a high rate of speed is a major contributing factor to poor fuel consumption. When doing so, fuel is being burnt at a higher rate than normal to offer the intended performance. So, if you aren’t in a hurry, take it easy on the accelerator pedal.

At the end of the day, to improve fuel consumption, change your driving style and not your car. Keep that in mind and you should see a noticeable improvement in fuel consumption.

Tips to keep in mind when buying a new vehicle

Many of us have made the mistake of buying a vehicle that we didn’t want. That’s because we fell prey to the salesman’s false claims. He knew what to do and say to get you to buy a certain vehicle. See, showrooms have a certain number of vehicles that are allocated to them. And those vehicles need to be sold within a certain duration to meet budget and accounting expectations.

Inevitably, some models will sell better than others and the only way to get rid of the latter, is to unload them on some poor unsuspecting car buyer who doesn’t really know what he wants.

Well, we are going to help you avoid that by providing you with the following tips:

#1 Determine what you want
You need to have a clear picture of what you want to buy. It should fit into your lifestyle well and help you cope with your daily activities.

#2 Have a budget
Set a certain amount that you are willing to pay and ensure that you don’t go over it regardless of the circumstances. Ignore words like ‘best deal in town’ or ‘yearly discount’ which are used to describe a vehicle that you aren’t interested in. These are just marketing gimmicks to entice you to get something you don’t really want.

#3 Visualize what you want to buy
Visualize what it is that you expect to come home with. It should be a vehicle that you have chosen and not one that was purchased based on the opinion of others. Remember, this vehicle will be with you for the next few years and as such, it should be something you will be happy to have parked in your driveway.

#4 Identify the maintenance costs
These days, automakers make several variants of each model. And usually, the ones with much bigger engines don’t sell as well as the smaller ones. And as such, some sales people will try to convince buyers to opt for the larger displacement cars just to get them off the sales inventory. Don’t fall for this, instead, figure out how much you are willing to spend on the day-to-day expenses of your vehicle and do not deviate from that.

#5 Check the warranty and mileage claims
Make sure that you read the fine print, because not all warranties are created equal. Some don’t fully cover what they claim to on the brochures. So, do yourself a favour and spend sometime reading the warranty terms & conditions before committing to anything. Trust us, we’ve been in this same situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

As always, it’s better to learn from the mistakes of others than to waste your time repeating them. Do your homework before you take the plunge and buy a new vehicle. Remember, you aren’t buying vegetables, a vehicle is a very expensive liability that can lead you into financial strife should you buy one that isn’t suitable for you.

5 things to check before your long trip back home

The festive season is a upon us and many will be making plans to leave for their hometowns soon. We at Piston are concerned for your well-being and want nothing more than for you reach your destination safety and in good time. As such, we have compiled a list of five things that you need to check before setting off on your journey.

Bear in mind that there is much more you can do to be prepared for your journey home, but the list that we have here today, will help you check the essential stuff.

#1 Check your tyre pressure
Inspecting your tyres visually isn’t going to cut it. You are going to need a tyre pressure gauge to know for sure if your pressures are good. If you don’t happen to have one lying around, there’s always the tyre pressure pump that you can use at any petrol station. If you are unsure about how much pressure you need, check the tyre information sticker located on your vehicle’s driver’s side side sill.

#2 Check the quality of your wiper blades
Wiper blades are very important especially during the rainy season. The difference between a worn wiper blade and one that is still in good shape, will determine whether you make it home safely, or not.

#3 Check your brakes
It will be a little difficult to visually inspect your brakes especially if you lack the experience in this area. The best you can do is gauge your brake pressure based on the feedback from the pedal. If it feels squishy and unreasonably soft or making squeaking noises under braking, then its probably time to have them inspected by a your trusted mechanic.

#4 Check your service schedule
It’s important to note that if a vehicle is serviced at regular intervals, the chances of something going wrong on a long trip will be considerably less. As such, check the service ticker on the righthand side of your windshield. If it’s time to pop in for a quick oil change, please do so. There’s no point in braving it on your journey home on engine oil that has seen better days. Neither you nor your oil will be doing your engine any favours.

#5 Check your headlights
This might seem like an oxymoron, but it pays to inspect it once before you set off. Turn your headlights on, and check to see if they light up properly. Modern cars are fitted with sensors that warn drivers if certain headlight bulbs fail to illuminate. But even of you do have this system, check it once just to be sure.

These simple tips will help you slightly in preparing for your journey home. As always, ensure that you are well rested before setting off, and if you aren’t, please leave the driving to a more suitable candidate. Drive safely and we hope you have a wonderful time this Raya holiday season.

3 things to check before leaving for work in the morning

Contrary to popular belief, most times, vehicles provide their owners with telltale signs before they start to malfunction. Neglect is the main reasons why owner have to fork out huge sums of money to mend a problem that started out as a minor inconvenience.

Avoid such mistakes and spare yourself the heartache by following these steps to spot an issue before it turns into a wallet busting catastrophe.

#1 – Pay attention to the duration and cranking noise when starting your engine
If you pay close attention to the duration and cranking noises that your starter motor makes, and become familiar with them, you should be able to identify signs of a failing battery. If the engine takes longer than usual to start up or struggles to do so, there’s a good chance that the battery may have something to do with that.

#2 – Allow the engine to idle for a while
When starting your car in the morning, allow the engine to idle for a good minute or so, before attempting to drive off. Granted, new vehicles have sophisticated software that help protect the engine from harm, but that same system isn’t idiot proof. By allowing your vehicle to run for while on a cold start, allows time for the oil to circulate throughout the engine and lubricate the various moving parts.

#3 – Inspect the smoke from the exhaust
Once your engine has warmed up and you are about to set off, check the colour of the smoke given out by the exhaust. If its blue, then that’s an indication that your engine oil is entering the combustion chamber and is being burnt allowing with your fuel. If you see white smoke when first immediately after starting the engine, that’s probably steam dueo to the water vapour collecting in the exhaust caused by the vehicle sitting overnight. But if it persists, its a much more serious problem. Seek the advice of your mechanic sooner rather than later regading both blue and persistent white smoke.

If you do these daily checks, over time, you will become more in-tuned with your car’s normal behaviour and should be able to tell instantly, if something is wrong. As always check your car’s user manual to know more about its inner workings and seek the advice of your trusted mechanic should you have any questions.

New Honda Jazz open for bookings

Honda Malaysia has opened the order books for the new Jazz at all authorized dealerships in the country. The car is expected to hit showrooms sometime in the second quarter of this year followed by the Sport Hybrid variant, which is slated for launch in the third quarter of the year.

The Jazz was first introduced to Malaysian customers in 2003 and since then, the nameplate has sold more than 77,700 cars in the country. More than half of the sales were for the third generation car, which was introduced in 2014. Honda has managed to sell 4,400 cars from January to April of this year accounting for 13% of total revenue for the Japanese automaker in Malaysia.

And with the launch of the new car, Honda plans on continuing this sales momentum for the next few years. Honda says that the new car was developed after taking into consideration customer needs and feedback. As such, the new car is said to appeal to people of all ages who require practicality, versatility and attractive modern design. It will have a new chrome front grille, new front and rear bumper design, dual tone colour alloy wheels and LED DRLs.

The petrol powered car will have teh same 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that is mated to a CVT gearbox that was developed under the company’s Earth Dreams Technology division. The Hybrid variant on the other hand, will be fitted with a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC powerplant that is fitted with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that is integrated with an electric motor. The system will improve efficiency, drivability and regenerative energy that was offered by the previous Jazz. Power output for the Hybrid Jazz is rated at 135bhp which is about the same as what you would’ get from higher displacement conventional engines.

The Lithium-ion battery pack, called the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), has a higher capacity than that in the previous generation car and offers better performance. It has been under the boot floor and is able to offer 1.5 times the energy capacity of its predecessor while still managing to be lighter and more compact in size.

The Smart Entry and Push Start ignition systems will be fitted as standard on all Jazz variants. There’s also half-leather seats and a reverse camera system that will also be made available to customers. And like other Honda models, the Jazz will be loaded with safety tech that include, Brake Assist (BA), Anti-Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) as well as 6 Airbags and ISO Fix.

So, if you are in the market for a new car and if the Jazz has caught your eye, visit any authorized Honda dealer for details or visit the automaker’s local site to learn more about the car.

Škoda produces 1.5 millionth Octavia

Today is a very important day for Škoda because it marks the production of the 1.5 millionth third generation Octavia. Based on the Volkswagen MQB platform, the car shares its underpinnings with the Audi A3 Mk3, SEAT Leon Mk3 and Volkswagen Golf Mk7.

“With the Octavia, the rapid development of our company really gathered pace from 1996,” said Michael Oeljeklaus, Board Member for Production and Logistics. “It has been an important pillar of the Škoda portfolio for over two decades. With the third generation of our bestseller, we have seamlessly built on the success story of the first two editions. Much of the credit for the success of the OCTAVIA and the Škoda brand goes to our motivated and highly skilled workforce, which now has 1.5 million reasons to be proud of its achievements.”

The first generation car was a stalwart of the Škoda line-up from 1996 to 2010 bringing in a total sales of 1.4 million cars. The Czech automaker launched the second generation car in 2004 but sold the original alongside it till 2010. And, by the time the mk2 car had been phased out in 2013, Škoda had accumulated a total sales figure of 2.5 million vehicles sold. Its successor joined the line-up in 2012 and by the end of 2016, almost 1.4 million vehicles were produced.

The facelifted version started rolling off the production line in February of this year and is manufactured in the Czech Republic, China, India, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. It is being offered as a hatchback and an estate version. The front and rear sections of the facelifted car differ from that of the pre-facelift version, which gives rise to a wider track and a more streamlined body.

The new car brings with it a number of improvements in terms of interior space, functionality, technology for safety and comfort as well as value for money. Power outputs of the petrol and diesel engines range from 85bhp to nearly 245bhp and some of these can be ordered with a DSG gearbox and all-wheel drive.

In total, Škoda has sold more than 5 million Octavia vehicles since the launch of the original car in 1996 and it hopes that those numbers will continue to grow larger as the years pass.

Used car buying tips from Piston.my

Unlike a new car, a used one will come with some form of garbage, whether it be structural damage from a previous accident, reliability issues or material defects. Apart from that, they also don’t offer the iron-clad warranty programme that all new vehicles have, which is why you need to pick one that is in good shape.

Here, were are going to provide you with some tips to help you spot a ‘good buy’ from a ‘lemon’.

Tip 1: Inspect bodywork

Take sometime to examine the bodywork of the vehicle you want to buy. Take a close look at the engine bay, undercarriage and boot space to ensure that there is no rust or visible damage. Rust is the cancer of cars and its presence can spell disaster for a car in the long run.

Tip 2: Check the electronics

Make sure that the headlights, rear lights, power windows, switchgear, infotainment and other electrical dependent equipment are functioning as they should. If all is well, then you are looking at a vehicle that has no electronic issues. If you do spot some problems however, especially when it comes to the power windows, its best you walk away. Unless you are willing to put a side some money for repairs, inheriting someone else’s problems shouldn’t be something you are open to accepting.

Tip 3: Start the engine

Crank over the engine and allow it to run for a good five minutes. Inspect to ensure there is no white or blue smoke spewing out of the exhaust. Visibility of white smoke on a cold start is normal, but if it doesn’t appear to dissipate after about five minutes, then you may have something to worry about – repairs will be costly.

Tip 4: Inspect battery health

There are telltail signs of a battery that is on its way out. If you are handy with a multimeter, checking the voltage will give you a better understanding into the vehicle battery’s health. A healthy battery should have a voltage of 12 to 12.8 V if the engine is off or 11.8V to 12.3V if the vehicle has been left overnight. (Check your manual to be sure)

Tip 5: Inspect the Tyres

Check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread still on them. If there are significant signs of tyre wear, then you should expect to change the tyres sooner rather than later. Also, check the manufacturing date of the tyres. They have a service life and tyres that are more than 4 to 5 years old do not have the structural integrity of newer ones.

These tips may be able to help identify a ‘sick’ car from one that can go toe to toe with a new one. As always, do your research and speak with previous owners to know the ups and downs of owning your chosen vehicle. That way, you will know what you are getting into and avoid purchasing a lemon.

Porsche Panamera launched in Malaysia

The second generation of Porsche’s four door sedan for the road has finally been launched here in Malaysia. Featuring extensive changes both inside and out, the Panamera has a svelte silhouette which is a major improvement over the disproportional first generation car.

The new car is 5,049mm long, 1,937mm wide and 1,423mm tall making it longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Despite the increase in dimensions, the reason for the new car’s sleek look is its lowered roofline, which sits 20mm lower than that of the previous car. Its wheelbase has been extended a further 30mm which means the front wheels have been moved forward in an effort to reduce front overhang.The rear overhang has been extended to make for a bolder presence.

As a means to improve handling, the new Panamera features rear wheel steering, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM elecntronic damper control), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), active roll stabilization and electromechanical steering system. The car even features a 4D chassis control system that works with all other systems to ensure that chassis remains balanced and controled regardless of the situation.

As of now, only two versions of the new Panamera have been made available, the Panamera and Panamera 4S. The V6 and V8 biturbo powerplants that have been optimised for power delivery. The tubrochargers sit in banked manner allowing them to be integrated with the rest of the engine making for a more compact package that is able to sit lower in the engine bay.

The 2.9-litre V6 engine develops 440bhp which is 20bhp more than that in the previous model. As such the Panameara 4S will be able to cover the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.4 seconds but even quicker when equipped with the Sports Chrono Package. In the Panamera, the engine is also turbocharged and 330bhp which is also 20bhp more than the car it replaces. The engine is mated to a 8-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and owners can now have their cars fitted with permanent all-wheel-drive system too.

Inside, the Panamera features better technology with the replacement of mechancial switchgear with that of the more modern touch sensitive system. The car retains the signature tachometer which is flanked with two 7-inch displays on each side. In the centre stack sits a 12.3-inch display infortainment system called the Porsche Communication Managment (PCM) system.

The Panamera is priced at RM890,000 and the Panamera 4S is priced at RM1,100,000. Both variants come with a four-year warranty and free maintenace package which is offered with complimnetary service, labour and parts. Should you require further information, please visit your nreartest dealerhsip or visit the company’s local website.

Piston.my

Uncategorized

New Honda Accord marries grown up looks with sporty performance characteristics

Jaguar E-PACE executes perfect barrel role for Guinness Book of World Records

Tips to help decrease fuel consumption

Tips to keep in mind when buying a new vehicle

5 things to check before your long trip back home

3 things to check before leaving for work in the morning

New Honda Jazz open for bookings

Škoda produces 1.5 millionth Octavia

Used car buying tips from Piston.my

Porsche Panamera launched in Malaysia

New Honda Accord marries grown up looks with sporty performance characteristics

Jaguar E-PACE executes perfect barrel role for Guinness Book of World Records

Tips to help decrease fuel consumption

Tips to keep in mind when buying a new vehicle

5 things to check before your long trip back home

3 things to check before leaving for work in the morning

New Honda Jazz open for bookings

Škoda produces 1.5 millionth Octavia

Used car buying tips from Piston.my

Porsche Panamera launched in Malaysia

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Mercedes-Benz Launches Advanced Battery Recycling Facility in Germany

Mercedes-Benz Expands in Asia-Pacific with New Regional Logistics Center in Malaysia

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