Courtesy Drive: Mercedes-Benz C230 V6 (W203)
By Dr Long
With the new W204 C230 V6 nowhere to be seen yet (still rumoured to be due June/July 2008) in Malaysia, I reckon the courtesy car of a C230 2.5 V6 Avantgarde Sports - on loan by Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) Berhad recently - did provide a nice glimpse of what to expect of the drivetrain of the new C230 successor from Mercedes-Benz.
Those of you who know me would have known that I am pretty much a fan of the 1.8L supercharged (Kompressor) M271 engine. Needless to say, I like this forced-induced 4-pot best in its C230 Kompresssor form good for 193bhp at 5800rpm with peak torque of 260Nm at 3500-4000rpm. Below is the M272 replacing the C230's heart circa 2005 (2006 locally), in the form of an all-aluminium V6 of 2.5L displacement.
With the new W204 C230 V6 nowhere to be seen yet (still rumoured to be due June/July 2008) in Malaysia, I reckon the courtesy car of a C230 2.5 V6 Avantgarde Sports - on loan by Cycle & Carriage Bintang (CCB) Berhad recently - did provide a nice glimpse of what to expect of the drivetrain of the new C230 successor from Mercedes-Benz.
Those of you who know me would have known that I am pretty much a fan of the 1.8L supercharged (Kompressor) M271 engine. Needless to say, I like this forced-induced 4-pot best in its C230 Kompresssor form good for 193bhp at 5800rpm with peak torque of 260Nm at 3500-4000rpm. Below is the M272 replacing the C230's heart circa 2005 (2006 locally), in the form of an all-aluminium V6 of 2.5L displacement.
The V6 is good for 204 bhp at 6100rpm and max torque 245 Nm at 2900-5500rpm; herein lies the difference between the old C230 Kompressor and the newer C230 V6. While the supercharged 4-pot is indeed more thrilling to drive with more urgent torque delivery, the normally aspirated V6 spells of finesse and refinement (NVH) in the way it gets up to speed. Added to this the 7G-Tronic tranny felt less busy and don't lurch as much as the 5-speeder mated to the 4-pot. No Kompressor whine, no buzz, no busy swing of revs associated with relatively frequent gears hunting. Just smooth sweep of climbing rev with the sweet point circa 4000rpm. Toyed with the paddle shifters I did and with the engine kept on boil above 3500rpm it was sheer pleasure taking this tester (oops! I mean courtesy unit) on winding trunk roads and some hilly stretches. All these while enconsced in Mercedes-Benz trademark smooth-gliding comfort - firm damping yet compliant ride. One thing I must mention here is that finally Mercedes-Benz has got their bi-xenon headlamp beams right - to shine bright and squarely on the road ahead, unlike the halogen-micmicking HID items with patchy illumination on the Avantgarde W211 E-Class (pre-facelift).
The chunky steering (pic below) was very nice to handle while weight and feedback doesn't quite match the E90 325i Sports, it is much more confidence-inspiring than even the new W204 C200K. Same goes for the Avantgarde Sports suspension vs the new C200K, Agility Control (standard as in new C200K) bollocks notwithstanding. It is interesting to note that 2007 C230 has its paddle shifter AMG-style i.e. '-' on the left for downshift and '+' on the right for upshifting. Prior to this I truly dislike the confusing and nonsensical bilateral rocker-switches (+/-) placed discreetly behind the steering wheel of the C230K of 2003-2005.
What you see above is some of the nicest aluminium trim in-cabin, the other one being found in the Audi A4 (B7) 2.0TFSI. I somehow wished the gear shifter knob can be transplanted to my w211 E200K! Side borders of the somewhat concave centre console are of soft-padded trim. Please knock on the corresponding items in the W204 if you get the chance!
So in conclusion, the W203 C230 V6 still appeared quite classy (pic above) and relevant in the used car (junior-exec) market. More importantly, it still drives very well, with the V6 powerplant lending a more refined, classy and upmarket appeal to it as the last bastion of the top-end W203 in Malaysia. Chassis and steering dynamics are without a doubt - at least in this C230 AV Sports guise - better than the W204 C200K. It is with this that I am looking forward to sample the new (W204) C230 2.5 V6, bragging its much-touted Advanced Agility Control et al.
You may want to read this:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/10/parting-impression-mercedes-benz-c200.html
Naza Corp to increase Forza production in Malaysia
Following the successful launch of the Naza Forza into the Thai auto market recently, Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd has announced that the production of the Naza Forza cars will be increased to meet demand of the Thai market.The 1.1L Naza Forza which recently made its debut into the highly competitive Thailand automotive market during the recent 10-day Thai Motor Show has managed to secure 524 orders. Yontrakit Motor Sales Co, the official importer of the Naza Forza into Thailand has urged Naza Corporation to increase productivity of the car to meet demand in the Thai market. At 349,000 Baht, the Naza Forza is currently the most affordable new car in the hotly contested Thai auto market.
At present, the Naza Forza is also exported to countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Singapore. Exports to Singapore which only began earlier this year are also said to be very encouraging with strong acceptance of supermini cars from Malaysia. Export sales amount to about 30% of total Naza Forza sales. Naza Corporation is also in talks to export the Forza to countries like Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Mauritius.
En SM Nasarudin Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Utama SM Nasimuddin, CEO of Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd said that the company is indeed pleasantly surprised by the warm reception that the Forza has received in both Singapore and Thailand, markets that the Forza had only just entered in 2008. He adds that it is the company’s objective to offer the Naza Forza as an affordable mode of transport to ASEAN countries. Also of equal importance is the development of strong after sales back up, a factor which he said will add to the attraction of the Naza Forza.
In Malaysia, Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd has informed that sales of the Naza Forza and its Naza 206 Bestari cars have seen improved bookings due to their on-going Forza 199 and Bestari 399 promotions. The company maintains that even though the demand for the Forza is strong in both Thailand and Singapore, there will be enough cars to satisfy the local demand for the car.
To support local enquiries, Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd advises those who are interested in the Forza 199 promotion to call the Client Liaison Interaction Centre at its new toll free number 1-800-88-NAZA (6292) or log onto www.nazacorp.com.my for more information.
Perodua Nautica 4WD to be Kembara's imported successor model?
Perodua has announced that its upcoming SUV will be named Nautica, with permanent 4WD. This new vehicle, based on the Daihatsu Terios (think: Toyota Rush with short wheelbase) is expected sometime May 2008. To be positioned as a somewhat premium compact SUV - first for a Perodua - the Nautica will have a 1.5L DVVT (VVTi) engine and standard 4-speed automatic transmission. Indicative price is circa RM90k - RM95k as a fully imported (CBU) model from Japan, wearing a Perodua badge! The Nautica will come in colour choices of either Medallion Grey or Majestic Black. Those interested can place advance bookings at Perodua showrooms nationwide, from May 10 onwards.
The Daihatsu Terios on which the Perodua Nautica will likely be based upon.
All-new 8th Generation Accord in Honda showrooms now!
By Dr Long
After having hired (as in hire-purchase) three previous generations of Accord i.e. the SM4, CF9 and the 7th generation Accord, naturally I was excited to see what Honda Malaysia has to offer with its locally built (assembled) 8th gen model.
Here is a pictorial summary of what I observed at a local Honda dealer just this morning:
(Note: there was no 3.5 V6 model on display at the showroom.)
8th gen Civic or 8th gen Accord? Take your pick...
More presence from the 8th gen Accord from this angle...no?
Confirmed prices for the all-new Accord (on-the-road with insurance) are:
2.0VTi RM141,800
2.4 VTi-L RM171,800
3.5 V6 RM249,800
After having hired (as in hire-purchase) three previous generations of Accord i.e. the SM4, CF9 and the 7th generation Accord, naturally I was excited to see what Honda Malaysia has to offer with its locally built (assembled) 8th gen model.
Here is a pictorial summary of what I observed at a local Honda dealer just this morning:
(Note: there was no 3.5 V6 model on display at the showroom.)
Click on all images to enlarge
Modulo-kitted Accord 2.4 VTi-L as tester unit. Note grille is of cleaner design and likely more desirable to many.
Side profile more expansive than 7th gen predecessor. Lines fussier but lends more solidity to form.
Headlamps curvy and large, less traingular now. Best seen in 3-D to appreciate bulging lens cover. HID (Xenon) items only for 2.4 VTi-L and 3.5 V6.
Whoever says the 8th gen Civic has taken over the Accord in terms of size, presence and prestige?
16" alloys for the entry-level 2.0 i-VTEC Accord. Goodyear Excellence rubber replaces NCT5.
Larger alloys (17") look more convincing on the 2.4 model now, unlike before (similar sized 16" but more cluttered design for the previous 2.4).
2.4 DOHC i-VTEC (K24A) carried over from the 7th gen Accord. Power output hiked to 180ps @ 6500rpm and torque now boosted to 222Nm @ 4300rpm.
Looking messy here is the 'new' SOHC 2.0L i-VTEC engine from the new CR-V. Power output is acceptable on-paper with figures of 156ps@ 6300rpm while torque is 189Nm @ 4300rpm. Likely tuned for economy than outright sweetness on the rev, unlike the DOHC K20A it replaces.
Full grey trim for the interior of the Accord 2.4. Leather seats standard.
Dashboard double-tiered like the 8th gen Civic but gets regular instruments cluster with twin analog dials.
Leather-wrapped gear lever with faux-metal base and fake wood surround. 5 speed A/T carried over from 7th gen Accord, standard even on the 2.0 VTi. Still truimphs over Camry 2.0's 4-speeder!
Lots of switches to play with here. Honda reputed for its tactile switches, knobs and operating stalks. No GPS Sat-Nav yet even though centre LCD panel displays A/C and audio control parameters.
Ah! Finally rear A/C vents are here. After 7 generations of skipping the Accord genome!
Chunky outer door handle in chrome looks and feels the part of an executive saloon!
Entirely different story told by the inner door opening (painted-plastic) handles though.
Boot space pear-shaped at its base. Obstrusive rear wheels and suspension humps eats up usable luggage space.
Modulo grille a worth-paying option, can be purchased singly (list price: RM920).
Two-tone with beige cloth upholstery for the 2.0 Accord. Dash top appears deceptively soft touch. NOT SO! What's happening Honda? Going back to the days of the CF9 Accord? Door opening levers made of light-weight cheapo spray-painted plastic, much like Civic. A mismatch for a sedan of this class!
Steering design a bit too Volvo-ish to me. Has Honda cured the ills of idling steering vibrations of its 7th gen Accord (more so 2.0 and 2.4 models)?
8th gen Civic or 8th gen Accord? Take your pick...
Standard spec 2.0 VTi Accord. Single tail pipe look a little lonely with the lower apron sculpted for twin.
More presence from the 8th gen Accord from this angle...no?Confirmed prices for the all-new Accord (on-the-road with insurance) are:
2.0VTi RM141,800
2.4 VTi-L RM171,800
3.5 V6 RM249,800
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