new proton MPV!!

Proton will produce new model of multipurpose van(MPV) next year. Below is some of the features that may be introduced by proton.

Exterior

• Overall shape is like the Toyota Wish but the rear section of the roof does not slope down slightly like the Wish to improve headroom for the third row.
• Tail lamps use LEDs and have a vertical design extending from the top to down, unlike the Wish’s which do not extend into the D pillar. The tail lamps are slimmer at the top but curve out a little at the bottom, similiar to the Volvo XC90’s design. The signal lamps in the light cluster are positioned towards the top for better visibility. You can actually see this in the previously revealed sketch and the teaser video above.
• There is a swage line on the side profile of the MPV.
• Regular swing doors instead of sliding doors.
• The spare tyre is installed outside under the chassis instead of kept in the car so that you can get access to it easily when the luggage space is occupied.

Interior

• The peekaboo box revealed a two-tone beige interior, but sources in Proton say the colour of the interior has not been finalised. It may be either beige or grey.
• Luggage space is not that great with the third row of seats in place, but can fit one large golf bag. This means balik kampung with 7 people loaded and luggage for 7 will be a challenge.
• Second row splits 60:40 while the third row is a 50:50 split. The seats fold flat.
• Interior roof height is designed to be quite decent to accomodate people who want to ride with songkoks and turbans.
• The shifter uses a gated shift and is dashboard-mounted rather than mounted between the front two seats, a common modern trend with MPV-like vehicles.
• The in-car entertainment is a 2-DIN unit. There are options for a DVD player with an LCD display for the movie mounted at the second row roof area. There is also an option in the future for GPS navigation.
• The 2-DIN head unit is at the top of the center dash area below the aircond vents, and below it comes the air conditioning controls which are three knobs arranged in a triangle shape. Below that is the shifter.
• There are aircond blowers for the second and third row situation at the top left and right of the cabin roof (near the grip handles). Proton source says after testing this produced the best airflow.
• There is no armrest between the front two seats but the armrest is instead a fold-down type integrated into the seat itself.

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Tips on Car Maintenance

We all take our cars for granted and do not think much about them as long as they start when we turn the key and get us from point a to point b, but sooner or later, we all have car troubles. A lot of these car problems can be prevented if we have regular maintenance checks and service. These services can save you lots of money in the long run and keep your car running smooth.

There are several maintenance tips that you can perform yourself, even if you do not have a whole lot of knowledge on cars. This can save you a lot of money considering most garages charge between $65 and $80 an hour for their labor. This rate may vary depending on which state you live in.

One tip that you can perform is to fill up your windshield washer fluid. To do this all you have to do is to unscrew the cap off the fluid reservoir and pour the fluid in. Most reservoirs are labeled "washer fluid only" so make sure that you put the fluid in the right spot. There is nothing any more irritating then trying to turn on your wipers to clean your windshield and finding out that you are out of washer fluid. Make sure to check this on a regular basis.

Also, make sure to clean your wiper blades frequently. They get built up with road grime and dead bugs and this affects their cleaning ability. You need a clear field of vision to drive properly and safely. Make sure that you get new wiper blades every year.

Another maintenance tip that you can do yourself is to check your tire pressure and overall condition of your tires. This can save you lots of money as slack tires affect your gas mileage and the overall life expectancy of your tires. With gasoline over $4 a gallon, you cannot afford to waste gas. You should check your tires every month.

Make sure that all of your lights on your car are clean and working. If other motorists cannot see your turn signals because they are dirty or broken, then this could cause you to get into an accident and get injured badly.

It is very important to maintain your vehicle in order to ensure proper running condition and to maximize the life of your vehicle. Below is a list of auto maintenance services and explanations of what each service entails and why it is necessary for your vehicle. For more information about the auto maintenance services required for your specific vehicle, consult your owner's manual.

Perhaps one of the most important car maintenance tips is to keep an eye on your engine oil level. This is very important as low oil levels can damage your car's engine and cost you big money. All you need to do is open up the hood of your car and find the dipstick. Pull it out and wipe it off with a clean rag and then reinsert it and remove it to check the level. There will be a full mark on the stick, so make sure that the oil is on this mark. If not, add oil until you reach the full mark and be careful not to overfill it. You need to have your oil and filter changed every 5,000 miles if you use conventional oil.

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Mercedes AMG for 2009

Just three years ago, Mercedes Benz CLS had amazed the market by its fashion runway of the world's first four-door coupe. And now, Mercedes has officially unveiled the changes to the 2009 CLS four-door coupe. Without a doubt, the CLS coupe had created an automotive industry trend toward more attention-grabbing, eye-catching four-door cars - vehicles that blur the line between sedan and coupe.

Lately, there has been so much talk in the internet chatrooms about whether the new AMG 6.2-liter naturally aspired V-8 engine is an innovation over the supercharged 5.4-liter that was an AMG staple - particularly, if the new model is slower or quicker off the mark. At least for now, the new CLS63 AMG, we can say that the answer is both yes and no. The 6.2-liter V-8 releases 507 horsepower in the CLS which is easily surpasses the 469 hp in the old CLS55 AMG. On the other hand, torque has decreased from 516 pound-feet to 465 lb-ft. Actually, more torque means faster mid-range and off-the-line acceleration, while more power results in better top-end performance.

Similar to what's mentioned above, the Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG is powered by V-8, which is the most powerful naturally aspirated production as well as the first engine developed completely by AMG. This powerful feature is built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy which makes AMG racing success spur high-power production.

One of the cosmetic changes is the sleek new nose of the CLS complemented by a more dramatic two-bar grill. Originally, the CLS had a four-bar grill and to add a little flavor, they have crafted it with a two-bar grill. What else is fairly noticeable is the new CLS features a built-in arrow-shaped turn signal on its large outside mirror. In addition, the new dual five-spoke 18-inch wheels make the car appear even more striking. A new rear bumper with trapezoidal dual exhaust pipes and arrow-shaped LED tailings gives the car a unique and fresh new look.

Amazingly, the CLS63 romps to 60 miles per hour from its initial point in a blistering 4.1 seconds which is a tenth quicker than the CLS55. And to make sure that it will stop as fast as it goes, it comes equipped with new, giant vented and perforated disc brakes with all around feature such as 14-inch discs and six piston calipers up front and 13-inch discs with four piston calipers at the rear attached. The AMG suspension is a recalibrated version of Mercedes' Airmatic air-spring setup, which works in conjunction with the so-called Adaptive Damping System. It has driver selectable settings just like the system in the E-class, none of which are perfect.

So what are the other benefits of the new engine of the CLS63? Besides the fact that it teases the 7200-rpm redline, it really does go past 180 miles per hour. Also, not to say that the old five-speeder was not good, its seven-speed automatic transmission is as smooth as a glass of fine aged wine from the cellar. The seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or by the Formula-1 style shift paddles on the back of the steering wheel - right for upshifts, left for down.

Other features included 19-inch alloy wheels, larger front discs, limited slip differential as well a leather and Alcantara-wrapped AMG sport steering wheel. From what you hear, you may want to see a Mercedes video if the dealer isn't close by. Take a peek at Insidefastlane.com for more information on this and other cars.

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History of the Limousines

The concept of having chauffeur driven vehicles dates back to the era of horse drawn carriages in the 1700s. The carriages were overstated with gold and they were drawn by the best looking animals. This service was anticipated for the wealthy. In the 1900, some of the engine powered carriages were designed with 2 compartments. The chauffeur had a covered compartment outside and the other compartment, also covered, was for the fare. The first stretch limousine was built in Arkansas in the late 1920.

These deluxe machines used to be limited to the rich and the famous. Now, many industries that provide luxury means of transportation use them as a valuable marketing tool to generate more business for their business. A client, depending on the occasion, can choose from a variety of interiors for the occasion, exterior for looks and length for accommodation. There are business only interiors, business-social interiors, wedding interiors and entertainment only interiors.

Limousines are now accessible to all including teenagers. They are choosing to travel in style to their numerous scholastic, athletic, social events and summer camps but, what is the origin of the word LIMOUSINE? The Lemovices were a Gallic tribe who established themselves in the Massif Central area including Haute-vienne, Ceuse, Corrèze and Charente territories in France.

Their capital was Durotincum (Villejoubert). Lemovices means "conquerors with the elm". The Lemovices gave their name to Limoge and to the province of Limousin. Famous products of the province of Limousin such as the Aubusson tapestries and enamels and porcelains are made in the capital city of Haute-Vienne, Limoges.

A part from these products, Limousin beef cattle have been raised here for many years and, the shepherds who began the tradition of raising this leading breed of cattle in Europe wore a long cloak associated with today's lavish means of transport called LIMOUSINE.

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New Subaru Impreza WRX

Subaru’s new Impreza WRX goes on sale in Japan this week as a late 2007 model, and with it come greater anticipation for the high-performance STI version, which won't be officially revealed until the Tokyo auto show in October later this year.

The Subaru Impreza WRX five-door hatchback (known as the Impreza S-GT in Japan) features a turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the Subaru boxer-4, and it produces 248 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. When this car hits U.S. shores this fall as a 2008 model, it will have a 2.5-liter iteration of this engine that produces about 225 hp and 226 pound-feet of torque. In the UK, tight European emissions laws mean buyers won't be offered the WRX model when the hatch arrives there later this year.

Meanwhile, the “wilder”, high-performance 2008 Subaru WRX STI expected to remain under cover until the Tokyo auto show already has a few key facts leaked.

The WRX STI draws motorsports technology directly from Subaru expertise in World Rally Championship (WRC) competition and is designed to appeal to the most serious driving enthusiasts. STI stands for Subaru Tecnica International -- the high-performance and motorsports subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

The highly anticipated STI is set to be powered by a tuned version of the 2.5-litre boxer engine turbocharged to produce more than 300hp and around 400Nm of torque, be mated to Subaru's existing six-speed manual box. A new automated manual, sourced from specialist firm Aisin, is expected to join the line-up when the latest Impreza is facelifted in 2009.

Subaru is making sure that the new Impreza can and will give its archrival, the 2008 Mitsubishi Evo X - which will feature an optional twin-clutch sequential-manual gearbox with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles – a run for its money.

The top Impreza will offer a range of unique styling additions, including a specially developed bonnet, grille and a wide front bumper with big air intakes.

Flared wheelarches house smart 18-inch alloys, which will hide the existing STI's Brembo brake system. Buyers can expect to see minor tweaks to the all-wheel-drive system, and engineers have also taken the opportunity to tune the handling, thanks to a more compact double wishbone rear suspension set-up.

Inside, the new Impreza range boasts higher-quality trim, with the STI getting a pair of supportive bucket seats up front to boost its sporty appeal.

Subaru (maker of top of the line Subaru oxygen sensor), has also told Inside Line that a turbocharged boxer-4 diesel for the WRX is in the works and should be out by early 2009. The company is reportedly eager to drop a high-mpg diesel into the Forester and Impreza soon after the Legacy gets Subaru's first diesel next summer, so the WRX is part of the program. Sources from Subaru have also reportedly confirmed that the company is working on a five-speed automatic and a continuously variable transmission, and both these options could be offered as early as mid-2009.

Subaru is a Japanese car company and is the automotive division of Fuji Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (FHI). It is currently an affiliate of Toyota Motor Corporation, with it owning 8.7% of FHI. They acquired that stake from General Motors, who bought 20% of FHI in 1999 to have an extended presence in international markets, and collaborate technologically with FHI.

FHI has recently set a new theme for Subaru cars that emphasizes Subaru’s goal: Subaru offers a comfortable, pleasant drive for the driver and passengers; provides peace of mind and reliability; and extends convenience, utility and functionality.

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Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type R Hatch Review

The Japanese version of the Civic was sold as a 4-door Sedan which generates 222bhp at 8400RPM. This is more powerful than the European version, which generates 198bhp at 7,800RPM. The external features of the 3-Door hatchback have changed some what since 2001, with a slightly less 'sporty' look and more of a 'Honda space age' look. However - under the bonnet the 2litre VTEC engine is the same (tweaked) engine as was in the previous generation, which isn't a bad thing..

Although the new version is heavier its still lightning quick for its class, with a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds. The top speed hasn't changed and remains at 146MPH. Honda have changed the double wishbone set-up in the rear suspension to a torsion bar suspension, they claim it makes the new civic type R more rigid than before.

The Vehicle Stability Assist on the Civic has been tweaked a little extra, which gives the driver more control.. and ultimately more fun! Fuel economies will undoubtedly be high for those of you who push it until the pistons fly through the bonnet. Expect around 30-40mpg.

As mentioned before, the weight of the car has increased. This is due to the fact that Honda have added more features, making it more of a drivers car. The features include dual climate control, drilled aluminum pedals & footrest, an alloy gear knob for the new 6 speed gearbox, leather steering wheel, auto wipers & lights and optional sat nav.

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