Proton Satria Neo CPS 1.6 H-Line.

The first time I heard about the Proton Satria Neo CPS, I thought yeah another piece of metal filled with plastic made by a rich man to become even richer. In other words, I thought it was absolute crap. Why did I think that? well everyone knows that protons are either underpowered, ugly, cheap, built with lousy materials and had no safety standards. Well I was wrong. Take a good look at this car people because this is a huge step forward for proton. Their link-up with Lotus has been phenomenal and the results are clearly shown in this car.

The CPS engine is essentially a Campro engine with a few updates and a variable valve lift system called CPS as well as a variable intake manifold (VIM) system. These additions help push up power to 125 PS at 6,500rpm and 150Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, figures which are up from the standard Campro’s 110hp and 148Nm. Thats not really a huge improvement on the normal campro engine but nonetheless still an improvement.

The car’s front and rear track has also been updated. While the Proton Satria Neo had a front and rear track of 1,470mm for both, the Satria Neo CPS H-Line has a narrower front track at 1,467mm and a wider rear track 1,483mm. This was done due to the slight over steer problem noticed in the previous models. This is said to improve handling by reducing the over steer and inducing under steer. Pretty bold if you ask me but we shouldn't forget they have Lotus Ride & Handling.

 As for aesthetics, as you can see there’s a new bodykit and more prominent flared wheel arches that are inspired from the old Satria GTI’s design. The alloy wheels are of the same 16 inch size as the M-Line but feature a different design that looks like a carbon copy of Advanti Racing’s MEDUSA design but without the two-tone design – perhaps it’s licensed or “inspired”. On the interior, the dashboard is now of a darker shade with red lighting on the various air conditioning controls and auto gear position indicators, has a different door trim design, some new trim around the gear shifter area, and leather seats in a black and red combination similiar to the GEN2 CPS.

The following are the prices for the new Proton Satria Neo CPS, available in only two colours which are unique to the CPS – solid white and tranquility black.

Proton Satria Neo CPS M/T (white) – RM 57,313.00
Proton Satria Neo CPS M/T (black) – RM 57,763.00
Proton Satria Neo CPS A/T (white) – RM 60,313.00
Proton Satria Neo CPS A/T (black) – RM 60,763.00

 *click picture to enlarge*

*click to enlarge*

CPS is only available for the high line model, so the lite and M-line models retain the regular Campro. Unfortunately this is the old original Campro engine, without the new IAFM systems in the Saga, Persona and GEN2. The CPS system has also been tweaked with this version of the Campro engine, so the high lift cam profile activation point has been revised. However I’m not sure what is the purpose of activating it later.

VIM switches between a long intake manifold at low RPMs and a short intake manifold at higher RPMs. According to Proton, a longer intake manifold is used at low RPMs to achieve slower air flow; this promotes better mixing with fuel. The short intake manifold allows more air in faster. This is beneficial at high RPMs. The CPS system uses a switching tappet and a trilobe camshaft to switch between two different cam profiles, one with low valve lift and another with high valve lift.

The regular Satria Neo High-Line is now phased out so if you want the higher safety features of the Highline model (dual airbags and ABS) you also must take the CPS engine and bodykit! This leaves a gaping hole in the produce positioning IMHO as some may like the looks of the Neo and want safety features but do not need the CPS power.

The price difference between the M-Line and the H-Line CPS is huge – RM9,300 so perhaps it would have been better to retain a H-Line regular Neo or upgrade the M-Line with ABS at the very least.

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Dangerous R8 Spyder bred by ABT.

The Audi R8 Spyder may be very stylish, but it’s no mere poser – the open top variant of Ironman’s machine comes only in V10 form with 525 bhp and 530Nm, good for 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 313 km/h. That’s no small sum, but German tuners will never leave enough as enough, so here’s what ABT, the biggest name in Audi/VW tuning, did to Audi’s drop top supercar. 

The 5.2 litre V10 has been massaged to deliver 600 horses, lowering the century sprint time to just 3.8 seconds, while top speed is now a round figure of 320 km/h. Suspension springs lowers the car further and is claimed to improve handling. “When you take a look at the car you can see that it is one of the fastest of the fast – and is really ready for anything,” says ABT. Hmmm…

The Kempten based tuner also says that with its exterior mods, the R8 Spyder’s “power can be seen even when it is at a standstill”. The front grill, front apron, side sills, rear apron, rear spoiler as well as the dual-colour coated ABT BR alloys have been merged into the original design, and as with ABT’s R8 coupe, all the parts are made from carbon fibre. On the options list is ABT’s CR Superlight alloys, which really suits the R8 Spyder with its claw-like spokes.

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Supercharged Ferrari California by Novitec Rosso.

The Ferrari California does very well for an “entry-level” model, with its front-mid mounted 460 bhp/485 Nm 4.3-litre V8 paired to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox for 0-100 km/h in four seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. German based tuner Novitec Rosso aims to put the California’s performance beyond doubt by plonking in a supercharger for the V8. 

The result is 606 bhp at 7,900 rpm and 603 Nm of twist. Now the 2+2 GT can complete the century sprint in under 3.8 seconds and reach maximum velocity of 325 km/h. The cogged belt driven mechanical charger’s boost pressure is at 0.4 bars. New components include a water-to-air intercooler, custom intake manifold and larger injectors. The Cali is also equipped with a Novitec stainless-steel exhaust system with sport catalysts. An integrated flap mechanism activated by the steering wheel manettino switch controls the intensity of the exhaust note.

I must say that the white example seen here isn’t too over the top (can’t always say that for tuned cars), and the add-ons blend in nicely without looking like add-ons. Novitec says that its front spoiler was wind tunnel developed and reduce front axle lift at high speeds. New rocker panels with integrated airfoils and black side markers are the changes to the side profile. For the rear, of course there’s a diffuser and a spoiler lip, but also here is a carbon-fibre strip surrounding the number plate.

Novitec’s springs lower ride height by 35 mm, but what’s cool here is a hydraulic lift system for the front axle that can raise the Ferrari’s chin by 40 mm at the push of a button. This will make it easier to navigate speed bumps or car park ramps. The front reverts to its original position at a second button push or automatically upon reaching 80 km/h.

Lastly, those pretty three-piece star spoke Novitec NF3 wheels of 21 inches up front and 22 inches at the back are wrapped with special order Pirellis measuring 255/30 and 315/25, respectively.

The Fire Breathing V-8 engine.

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Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept - Shocker!

Remember Bugatti’s 16C Galibier concept? Unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt show to a very select audience, the “four-door Veyron” remains a concept for now, but new images have surfaced showing the Galibier in black, looking much sleeker than the initial car which had a two-tone blue and mirror like aluminium finishing.


Black allows us to focus more on the 8.0-litre W16 powered Galibier’s interesting detailing and body shape. The chrome strip that starts from the base of the A-pillar wraps around the doors and continues after the front wheels to make a loop with the other side, only interrupted by the imposing grille. The sloping rear sports four exhaust tips on each side and a spine brake light that divides the rear screen. This spine runs the length of the car – it looks like a fish when seen from the top.

The new gallery also shows the amazing detailing of the sumptuous four-seat cabin, which is covered in tan leather and fine wood. There’s also a full set of matching Galibier luggage, because for the owner of a car as exclusive as this (if it ever makes production), even limited edition Louis Vuittons won’t do.

Heres some extra pictures to wet your beaks :)

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