Kuala Lumpur, 31 May 2007 - Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia now has a brand new showroom in Klang with the recent appointment of Target Orion Star Sdn Bhd as its authorized dealer. The new showroom is situated in Jalan Persiaran Raja Muda Musa. "Target Orion Star is enthusiastic at the opportunity to provide Mitsubishi Motors vehicles to the doorsteps of residents in Klang. We are confident with the inclusion Target Orion Star, the Mitsubishi Motors brand name will continue to strengthen in Malaysia," said En. Adam Khan, Managing Director of Target Orion Star Sdn Bhd. "We hope that Mitsubishi's strength in clever technology, exceptional reliability and excellent build-quality will continue to make a lasting impression on the Malaysian market," said Mr Fumihiko Minami, CEO Mitsubishi Malaysia.

47bhp, 58Nm of torque and RM28,400 (yes, that's in Ringgit). The new Perodua Viva - tiny in every single sense of the word.

Yet, it's still bigger than the Myvi.

The Kancil replacement model known as the new Perodua Viva comes in three distinct flavors. 660cc, 850cc and 1,000cc. Those hoping to see a 1.3 variant in Perodua's latest offering will continue to go dissapointed.

The good news is that the 660cc and 850cc models both have DVVT.The 660cc EF-VE engine loves to rev, pushing the limiter all the way to an astronomical 7,200rpm, yet surprisingly, this tiny K-car is still unable to hit the 50bhp mark; stopping shy at just 47bhp. 

47? And we thought only pencil sharpeners had 47bhp. Peak torque is suitably dismal too, churning out a pithy 58Nm of torque.

But fret not speed junkies, for the 850cc engine storms in at a mind-blowing 52 bhp.
The torque is impressive too, coming in sleepily around the 4,000rpm mark, producing a mountainous 76Nm of torque.

The EJ-VE engine tops the list as the 'sportiest' of the bunch. 1 litre, huge 14 inch rims and two different trim options - one of which is called 'Premium' - the 1,000cc model is the only one you should consider if you're thinking of buying the new Viva. Producing a hearty 60 bhp at 6,000rpm and 90Nm of torque, the 1 litre variant is simply leagues apart from the other two. You'd be in the next state before the other two cars even had a chance to slam on the loud pedals.cars  You have an option of either a 5-speeder (for the two entry level models and the top of the range 1 litre) or an automatic for the Viva Premium.

And finally, we get to the good part; the prices:-

Perodua Viva 660cc MT Solid: RM28,400
Perodua Viva 660cc MT Metallic: RM28,800
Perodua Viva 850cc MT Solid: RM32,500
Perodua Viva 850cc MT Metallic: RM32,900
Perodua Viva 1000cc MT Solid: RM36,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc MT Metallic: RM37,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc AT Solid: RM39,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc AT Metallic: RM40,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium MT Solid: RM40,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium MT Metallic: RM41,200
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium AT Solid: RM43,800
Perodua Viva 1000cc Premium AT Metallic: RM44,200

 Okay, so maybe this is the fastest roadster in the world. Sorry Porsche.

Mercedes-Benz will in future also market its SLR McLaren super sports car in the form of a roadster with a top. In common with Formula 1 vehicles of today, it, too, will be made of carbon fibre, a material that will endow the vehicle with a very high degree of safety as well as extreme torsional stiffness at the same high level as the coupé version. This gives rise, in combination with the racing-type chassis, to outstanding ride characteristics. The maximum speed of the new high-performance sports car, which is powered by an AMG V8 compressor engine delivering 460 kW/626 hp, is 332 km/h, therefore at the same high level as the coupé. Although, thanks to its fully retractable top, the Roadster offers undiluted open-air driving pleasure in the highest performance class, its occupants in no way lose out in terms of comfort or the vehicle's suitability for everyday use. Consequently, the new Roadster opens up a new dimension in refinement for open-top super sports cars.

Like the coupé version, the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster once again unites the legend of the successful SLR racing models from the 1950s with the innovative technology of modern Formula 1 vehicles from the Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes team. Typical stylistic elements, such as the arrow-shaped tip of the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, establish a visual link with the racing cars. The SLR leg-end of the 50s lives on stylistically in the distinctive lateral louvers, side pipes behind the front wheels and the wide-opening gullwing doors.

The new Roadster benefits technically from the many years of experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula 1 partner McLaren. Apart from two aluminium engine frames, its body is made entirely of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials, making the vehicle an exception among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the Roadster, complex carbon-fibre technology has been intelligently further developed for the monocoque chassis. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and, therefore, extremely high occupant safety as well as a degree of torsional stiffness hitherto unattained in open-top vehicles. This leads to outstanding ride characteristics of the kind otherwise found only in closed-top super sports cars.

 More Photos After The Jump

The 1-Series gets even hotter with a 343bhp engine. 

If you thought that BMW was going to leave the 1-series well and truly alone..well you're wrong. The 1 will be streched in every way, creating new niches where there were none and topped off by a raging M-variant. For those of you who thought that the M1 badge was sacrosanct, think again. The M1 will feature on the 3-door version, soon to be followed by the 5-door.

Originally expected to debut at this year's Detroit Motor Show, the M1 clearly dissapointed showgoers. Under Ulrich Bruhnke, who recently left the company, the M division had proposed four different M1 spin-offs: a coupe, a lightweight GTR, a cabriolet and the E82 M1 touring. The latter model died altogether, the GTR was seen as a costly exercise and the fate of the drop-top was of course linked to that of the coupe.

The 1 is expected to remain in production until 2011, so it makes commercial sense to launch the M1 late next year. The most obvious powertrain choice is the 343bhp 3.2-litre six as fitted to the outgoing M3. It's an expensive engine, and it needs work to trim its CO2 and fuel consumption, but it is the most likely motor. On paper, the M1 should accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.2sec and would reach a top speed of 280km/h if derestricted.

 More Photos After The Jump

0-100 in 3.8 seconds makes the Turbo Cabriolet a contender for the fastest production drop top in the world

Stuttgart

Dr.Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany, will be sending the new 911 Turbo Cabriolet to the starting line on September 8. The 20-year tradition within the 911 Series of the 911 Turbo with a classic soft top is continued with this open, top model. Firstly, the open 2+2 seater offers the driving performance of a high-performance sports car while still providing convertible driving pleasure.

Secondly, compared to the competition the 911 Turbo Cabriolet is economical in its fuel consumption, thanks to its deliberate design, outstanding aerodynamics and advanced engine technology As with the 911 Turbo Coupé, the Cabriolet will also be powered by a 3.6 liter six-cylinder 'boxer' engine with biturbo turbocharging and Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG). The powerplant already generates 480 hp (353 kW) and 620 Nm of torque at 1950 rpm. With the new, optional "Sport Chrono Turbo Package", which includes an overboost function, up to 680 Nm is even intermittently possible. The manual transmission version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just four seconds.

With Tiptronic S the time can be cut to 3.8 seconds. Both versions can reach speeds of up to 310 km/h. Fuel consumption for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet is 12.9 liters per 100 kilometers - an exemplary value in the competitive environment. In spite of the convertible-specific reinforcement of the chassis and automatic and the extendable rollover protection behind the rear seats, the open version of the 911 Turbo only weighs 70 kilos more than the Coupé. The light, three-layer soft top, which can completely automatically be opened or closed in roughly 20 seconds, enables a low balance point.

Together with the running gear that is tuned to convertible-specific needs, which includes the active suspension system Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard equipment, the new 911 Turbo Cabriolet offers the sporting driving performance typical for a Porsche 911 as well as extremely high driving safety together with appealing driving characteristics. The driving stability control Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and the managed all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) also contribute to its uncommon performance. The system with an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch can, according to the requirements, alternatively shift the drive output from the engine between the front and rear axles, and - with shift intervals of a maximum of 100 milliseconds - quicker than the reaction of the engine to load changes. With a drag coefficient of Cw=0.31, the 911 Turbo Cabriolet travels at the level of the coupé models.

Together with the rear spoiler, which automatically extends at speeds from 120 km/h - extending 30 mm further than with the Coupé, the vehicle is the only standard series convertible that generates negative lift at the rear axle. Along with its passive safety systems, including six airbags as standard equipment and the comprehensive rollover protection system - with steel tubing integrated into the windshield frame and an extendable rollover protection behind the rear seats - the 911 Turbo Cabriolet also fulfils all legal requirements for passive safety applicable in the worldwide sales markets. Furthermore, it is equipped with one the most high-performance brake systems.

The six-cylinder fixed-brake caliper up front stems from the Porsche Carrera GT. Upon request, the race-proven and light Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) ceramic brake system is also available for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Also included in the extensive standard series equipment of the 911 Turbo Cabriolet are Bi-Xenon headlights, 19 inch forged wheels with two-tone appearance, an air conditioner, the wind deflector, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) - with the navigation module and 5.8 inch color monitor and the Bose Surround Sound System, among other things. The basic price in euro for the Turbo Cabriolet is EUR 126,600. In Germany the price is EUR 150,862 (including VAT and country-specific requirements).   

More Photos After The Jump