Rolls-Royce Ghost Previewed in New PJ Dealership!

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars previewed its latest model, the Ghost, at the marque’s brand new showroom in Petaling Jaya this afternoon. Situated along Jalan Semangat, the facility is operated by Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd, which also owns a BMW dealership in the same building. Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific Regional Director Colin Kelly and Brenda Pek, GM for South & East Asia Pacific pulled off the wraps.

The Ghost is the entry-level and more affordable Rolls-Royce (if there’s such a thing), and at the preview, Rolls-Royce described it as “informal, a car that you can drive every day” while stating that “the Phantom is like a tuxedo, while the Ghost is like a Savile Row business suit”. The Ghost is slightly smaller in size than the Phantom flagship (440mm shorter, to be exact) and features more dynamic styling, which suits its positioning as the most driver-focussed Rolls-Royce yet.

The 2.4-tonne Ghost is also Rolls-Royce’s most powerful car to date, its 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 delivers 563 bhp and 780 Nm of torque available from 1500 rpm. These figures are about 25% more than the Phantom, which is of course heavier as well. The V12 is paired to a ZF 8-speed auto transmission. 0-100 km/h is done is 4.7 seconds while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. Supreme comfort is a given – the Ghost floats on adjustable height air suspension.

There are plenty of RR signatures on the Ghost, such as the rear coach doors, violin key switches and umbrellas (Teflon coated) integrated within the doors. Other luxuries include lambswool floor mats, a choice of lounge or individual seating (the latter with optional massage function), a 10-channel amp, 16-speaker (including two floor mounted subwoofers) entertainment system.

The Ghost’s first Malaysian customers should get their built-to-order cars in the second quarter of this year. Prices start from RM2.6 million, but can rise with options. Also displayed was the Phantom Drophead Coupe.

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G-Power Typhoon Black Pearl based on BMW X5 (E70) with 625hp!

G-Power has unveiled the limited edition Typhoon Black Pearl.

Based on the previously seen X5 Typhoon, the Black Pearl features a monotone black paint job and an aggressive body kit with revised fascias, a new hood (with improved ventilation), and wider fender flares. Other styling tweaks for the BMW X5 include a rear diffuser, a roof-mounted spoiler, aerodynamic side skirts, and 23-inch Silverstone aluminum wheels wrapped in high performance Michelin tires.

Under the hood, G-Power outfitted the 4.8-liter V8 engine with a SK III RS supercharger, a carbon fiber air intake, a large-volume aluminum charge air cooling system, a SpeedFlow high-performance exhaust system (with racing headers, racing catalysts and racing end mufflers), forged MAHLE pistons, new fuel injectors (with a larger fuel mass capacity), and revised engine electronics.

Thanks to these modifications, the engine produces 625 hp (460 kW) and 700 Nm of torque. This enables the Black Pearl to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 16 seconds, and top out at more than 300 km/h (186 mph).

Priced from €295,000 ($415,225 USD), the Typhoon Black Pearl is currently available for order.

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Rolls-Royce Officially in Malaysia!

Quill Motorcars Sdn Bhd , the newly appointed dealer for Rolls-Royce cars in Malaysia, projects to sell between eight and 10 units a year as demand for the luxury car is expected to more than double globally this year.

Quill Motorcars, part of the Quill group, is also an appointed dealer for BMW vehicles in Malaysia.

“The new dealership re-establishes an official Rolls-Royce retail and aftersales presence in Malaysia, signifying the company’s confidence in the market. With both the Rolls Royce Phantom family and the new Ghost, we are able to offer the pinnacle in luxury motoring to Malaysians,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars regional director for Asia Pacific, Colin Kelly, in a statement.

Quill Motorcars will build a showroom and service facility in Petaling Jaya.

“We are honoured to be able to offer the world’s best automobiles, and aspire to develop and provide for a vibrant Rolls-Royce community in Malaysia,” said Quill group of companies director Datuk Michael Ong in the statement.

Outside of greater China, Rolls-Royce has showrooms in India, Japan, Korea, Australia, Singapore, Jakarta and now Kuala Lumpur.

A key factor in deciding on a dealership is whether a country is ready to have one, and that is determined by whether there is a critical mass of high net worth individuals. Malaysians have a penchant for fine automobiles and Colin estimates there are between 175 to 200 Rolls-Royces in the country dating as far back as the 1920s.

It’s the brand’s image and history that gives Rolls-Royce the confidence that Malaysia can be a sales success like much of Asia.

“People know of Rolls-Royce and what the car means. It’s the yardstick of being the very best,” said Rolls-Royce Motor Cars South and East Asia Pacific general manager Brenda Pek in an interview. “The presence of a dealer is critical for the right experience for the product,” Pek said.

Asia has over the years grown in importance as a key market for Rolls-Royce cars.

In 2009, out of the 1,002 cars sold, 15% of that went to Asia.

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9ff Porsche GT3 conversion – up to 1000 bhp available!

GTurbo1000 comes with 1000 hp and 940 Nm of torque and can do the 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds

German tuner 9ff has a set of conversion kits for the Porsche 997 GT3 and and 997 GT3 RS that, as they boast, can turn a sports car into a supercar.

First off, let's get to the core goodies. A bi-turbo conversion kit that can boost power up to 1000 hp. This allows for the creation of 3 seperately named models : the 9ff GTurbo750, GTurbo850 and GTurbo1000. The numbers, of course, denoting the horsepower figures. The torque figures, respectively, being 850 Nm, 910 Nm and 940 Nm.

Performance times for the GTurbo1000 are 2.9 seconds for the 0 to 100 km/h sprint and a mere 8.2 seconds to reach 200 km/h. The 300 km/h mark is reache in 16.5 seconds. A top speed of 392 km/h is also possible, dependent on gearing selection.

An aerodynamic kit is also available, which includes air intakes on the quarter panel for the intercooler and air outlets at the front to help reduce pressure in the wheel wells at high speeds.

There are also new front (with LED indicators) and rear aprons, side skirts and options for side exhausts.
The aerodynamic kits is priced at 8,900 euros, with taxes, mounting and painting excluded.

A set of 5 double spokes light alloy wheels, 8,5x19" / 11x19" (front/back), can be had for 4,980 euros (taxes excluded). A set of GTurbo design rims with a central lock system comes in at 5,950, taxes and painting excluded.

Prices for engine tuning were not made available.

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Detroit 2010: Next Generation Ford Focus Unveiled!!

North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Ford has unveil the next generation Ford Focus.

Both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback body styles of the next-generation Focus are previewed prior to their production start for Europe and North America late in 2010 and market launch early in 2011. 

The new Focus will be nearly identical in all markets, with 80 percent parts commonality around the world.
“The new Ford Focus is a clear demonstration that our ONE Ford strategy is providing global consumers with great products that harness the best of Ford Motor Company,” said Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and CEO.

Production of the next-generation Ford Focus will begin simultaneously in Europe and North America in late 2010, with individual market launches starting early in 2011. 

The kinetic design approach uses bold vehicle designs to capture the feeling of energy in motion, so that cars look like they are moving – even when they are standing still.

The global powertrain lineup for the new Focus will include Ford EcoBoost™ four-cylinder turbocharged direct injection (DI) engines – including the 1.6-liter unit in Europe and a choice of advanced and improved Duratorq TDCi common-rail diesel engines, all of which offer reductions in fuel consumption of between 10 and 20 percent compared to the outgoing models.

For the NAIAS preview, Ford is showing a completely new 2.0-liter gasoline engine for the North American market that features DI and Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. The new 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is up to 20 horsepower more powerful than the current 2.0 Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10 percent.

The 2.0-liter DI Ti-VCT engine is mated with the latest dry-clutch dual-clutch six-speed Ford PowerShift automatic transmission. 

Ford also has confirmed plans to begin building a full, battery electric vehicle in 2011 at its Michigan Assembly Complex, for sales in North America. It will be the company’s first battery electric passenger vehicle.

Thanks for viewing!

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Toyota FT-86 G Sports Concept.

The first day of the Tokyo Auto Salon 2010 saw Toyota announcing its plans to roll out a new series of modified cars under the "G Sports" name for the Japanese market this summer. These special variants will be developed in cooperation with Toyota's tuning and racing partner, GAZOO, and will benefit from a series of performance upgrades.

And what a better way to grasp the attention of buyers and petrol heads alike for the new G Sports models than to reveal a specially modified version of the FT-86 concept that previews Toyota's upcoming rear-wheel drive compact coupe.

The FT-86 G-Sports Concept that made its world debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon boasts an array of upgrades the most important being the turbocharging of the Subaru-sourced, 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine.
Neither Toyota or Gazoo disclosed any further details on the mechanical improvements or performance figures.

As you can see from the photos, the FT-86 G Sports Concept boasts a wide body aero kit with blistered wheel arches, a carbon-fiber hood with air-vents, redesigned front and rear bumpers as well as jumbo-size rear wing.

The concept model's exterior mods are rounded off by a new set of 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance Potenza RE050 tires size 245/40 R19 up front and 275/35 R19 at the rear.

The only interior upgrade that is mentioned by Gazoo is the addition of a pair of Recaro bucket seats.

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Naza set to distribute Koenigsegg supercars!

The Naza Group of companies will soon offer the Koenigsegg supercars alongside the already wide array of fast cars it is already distributing.


The company is said to have signed a deal with the Swedish-based high-performance carmaker a few weeks ago. Sources said Naza will start selling the cars next month.
Koenigsegg Automotive AB manufactures some of the fastest production cars around and Naza will be its distributor for the Asia-Pacific region.
This is Koenigsegg's first tie-up with a Malaysian company to distribute the brand in Malaysia and regionally.
The move will extend ties between the Swedish-based firm and the region, including the high-consumption Singapore market, as it bids to grow sales to wealthy regional buyers who want something exotic and exclusive. 


At present, Koenigsegg's Asia representatives include distributors in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The source said the deal will provide Naza with an additional brand under its luxury, high-performance stable that includes Ferrari and Maserati.
"Naza is looking to expand regionally and add value to the group," the source said.

Koenigsegg was founded in 1993 by Swedish car enthusiast Christian von Koenigsegg and competes with the likes of Bugatti and Pagani at the top end of the supercar market.
Koenigsegg produces no more than 35 cars a year in its effort to maintain exclusivity and high standards.
Its cars include the CCR, which at one time held the world production car speed record at over 388kmh and the current model CCX, which sells for around US$1 million (RM3.42 million) upwards.


The source said Naza understands that it can only market the brand to a select clientele who crave uniqueness, irrespective of cost.
"Their (Koenigsegg) future clients are not very price-conscious. The two major factors are exclusivity and delivery times for them.


"Price, to these people, is also not an issue. They want something no one else has," he added.


With the Naza deal in place, Malaysia may soon witness the regional launch of Koenigsegg's new saloon model, scheduled to be unveiled in several months' time.


The new model is said to cost less than their top models and produced at slightly higher volume than its existing two-seater sportscars.
It is understood that Naza will follow the business model of both Ferrari and Maserati where a stand-alone subsidiary will be set up locally.
The Koenigsegg office will be housed together with their other luxury high-performance brands at the Naza Auto Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for the time being.

The source said there is no indication if Naza will have a dedicated showroom for Koenigsegg.

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