Official Press Release from Naza-Kia Sdn Bhd

Naza Kia, Malaysian Kia Motors distributor and asubsidiary of the Naza Group of Companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir as Chief Operating Officer of Naza Kia Sdn Bhd and Naza Kia Services Sdn Bhd with immediate effect.

Syed Hisham, 54, a BSc Mechanical Engineering graduate from Plymouth University (UK), with an MBA from Ohio State University, has contributed positively to the automotive industry for over 25 years.

Prior to joining the Naza Group, Syed Hisham was the managing director at Edaran Otomobil Nasional Bhd (EON). Besides EON, he has also served as the President/ Chief Operating Officer at Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd. His solid track record at these companies will bring a wealth of automotive experience to Naza Kia.

SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of Naza Group, said, “Datuk Syed Hisham has made an outstanding contribution to the Malaysian automotive industry over the years. We are pleased that he has agreed to join Naza Kia and will work towards introducing new products, developing the network and enhancing the brand. His ‘hands-on’ experience and knowledge of the automotive industry make him an excellent choice for COO and we are pleased to have him on board.”

Datuk Syed Hisham Syed Wazir

The highly-acclaimed Kia Forte, recently launched in Malaysia, has recently picked up an award, with American auto website NADAguides.com naming it their ‘Car of the Year‘. Having already bagged the website’s ‘Car of the Month‘ award for August, the new Kia beat eight other vehicles for the coveted annual honour.

Explaining the Forte’s winning of the award, Michael Caudill, auto expert of NADAguides.com said, “Not many cars can boast a full package when it comes to design features, price, performance and fuel economy, but the Forte leaves a lasting impression with all that and more.”

Kia Forte – NADAguides.com COTY 2009

The Forte was recently launched in Malaysia by Naza-Kia to positive response from Malaysian consumers and also Autoworld forummers. A quick check on our forums unearthed no less than eight dedicated threads for the Forte, which amassed (as of 10 Dec 2009) a total of 453 replies and a combined number of views fast approaching 30,000. Our backend stats from the Emzine tells us that only articles relating to the Perodua Alza beat the Forte’s in pageview numbers. So, this car is making waves.

Forte launched to overwhelming response in Malaysia.

“In Malaysia, the initial response to the Forte has been overwhelming, mirroring its debut in other countries. This Car of the Year award won by the Forte is further testament to the superiority of its design, quality, safety and performance over its competitors,” said SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Group Executive Chairman of the Naza Group.

In Malaysia, the Forte is offered at three spec-levels – 1.6 EX (RM75,800), 1.6 SX (RM81,800), and 2.0 SX (RM93,800).

Forte 1.6 SX

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See also:
- Our test drive report: Formidable Forte (20/11/2009)
- Our launch coverage: Naza-Kia launches all new Forte (25/11/2009)

Ahead of the impending launch of the Forte in our shores, Kia Motors have intimated to us that in Oct 2009, they have sold nearly 150,000 cars worldwide. This figure represents a 34.6% year-on-year increase compared to Oct 2008. Cumulative sales from Jan to Oct 2009 exceeded 1.3m units, 13.9% increase over the corresponding period of 2008.

Leading the way of this surge is the Forte which accounts for nearly 240,000 units sold in export markets. The Rio and Sportage chalked over 140,000 units each, while the highly-acclaimed cee’d did just over 100,000. The Picanto accounted for about 85,000 units.

Hyoung-Keun Lee, President of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “We are thrilled to see that October proved to be another successful month for Kia. We will continue to build on this momentum by providing customers with vehicles for the young-at-heart, which are both stylish and fuel efficient.”

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At the recent 2009 SEMA exhibition, Kia Motors America (KMA) has announced a partnership venture with the Kinetic Group to race two Kia Forte Koups in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series. Using the age-old auto industry marketing gimmick of ‘Race on Sunday, sell on Monday,’ the two Fortes will also have the task of helping Kia raise their brand profile significantly.

Michael Sprague, KMA’s Marketing VP, had this to say, ““The Forte Koup’s performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics make it a natural fit for road racing, and competing in GRAND-AM’s KONI Challenge Series enables us to reach an entirely new and passionate base of automotive enthusiasts.”

The Street Tuner (ST) class, in which the two Fortes will be racing in, is the domain of production-based cars. Competing vehicles are subject to weight and intake restrictions in order to maintain a level playing field for all. Additionally, this also implies substantial mechanical similarities between the cars going out onto the tracks, and the cars that Kia hopes to see you driving out of the showrooms.

KMA’s partner for the venture, the Kinetic Group, is an Atlanta-based outfit providing an array of in-house services which include fabrication, composites, paint, bodywork, engine and electronics. Their experience in motorsports include NASCAR, Indy Racing League, the American Le Mans Series and the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series.

Taking the cars to the track will be Nic Jonsson and Andy Lally in the main car, Car #10, with Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood at the helm of the team’s second car.

“We expect the Forte Koup to be a strong competitor in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series starting with the first race in Daytona, and the fact that drivers of Nic and Andy’s caliber along with Adam and Trevor have joined the team reinforces that expectation,” said Sprague.

Sprague further added, “Building on our involvement in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series and in an effort to introduce the Kia brand to even more racing fans, apparel maker GoGoGear.com has created a highly modified version of the popular Soul urban passenger vehicle which will serve as the official pace car at several races throughout the 2010 US Touring Car Championship (USTCC) season.”

Meanwhile, closer to home, our sources in Naza Kia has informed us that the Kia Forte is scheduled for launch in the Malaysian market shortly. Watch out as we bring you the latest updates. Stay tuned for that!

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM NAZA AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

In a statement issued recently, the Naza Automotive Group advised owners of Naza, Kia, and Peugeot to use the appropriate fuel for their vehicles.

According to the statement, RON 95 is suitable for the following vehicles:

Naza

• Citra
• Suria
• Citra II Rondo
• 206 Bestari
• Forza

Kia

• Sportage
• Carnival
• Carens
• Picanto
• Optima
• Spectra5
• Spectra
• Rondo

Peugeot

• 206
• 407
• 308 Turbo
• 308 Vti

The Naza Sorento, Kia Sorento and Kia Pregio use diesel.

For more information on the Naza Group of Companies please visit www.naza.com.my

A letter of understanding, jointly signed by Hyundai Motor, Kia Motors, Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors / Opel, Honda Motor Co., Renault SA, Nissan Motor Corporation, and Toyota Motor Corporation, was recently submitted to all oil & energy companies and government organizations calling for accelerated development of hydrogen fuelling infrastructure.

It is the stand of the signatory companies that the concerted development of accessible and affordable hydrogen fuelling facilities would enable the successful introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) in the future.

“A hydrogen infrastructure network with sufficient density is required by 2015,” the automakers said in a joint press release today. “The network should be built-up from metropolitan areas via corridors into area-wide coverage.” The companies “strongly support the idea of building-up a hydrogen infrastructure in Europe, with Germany as starting point and at the same time developing similar concepts for the market penetration of hydrogen infrastructure in other regions of the world, with one US market, Japan and Korea as further starting points,” according to the joint release.

Hyundai’s FCEV program, part of their Blue Drive strategy, is on track to expand its demo fleet of FCEVs to 200 units by 2010, with plans to commence limited series production by 2012. As per an official press release published in Autoworld earlier, Hyundai is set to introduce a trio of Blue Drive models at the upcoming IAA 2009 in Frankfurt.

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Best New Engine of the Year

The category of newcomer engines, which included two from BMW was won by Porsche with their new 3.8-litre naturally aspirated flat six. It is rated at an impressive 385bhp max power, but that was not the factor that clinched its award. What impressed the judges most was how Porsche also got the engine to sip less fuel than its predecessor.

According to Marc Noordeloos of Automobile magazine, “Leave it to Porsche to build a near-400bhp engine that returns such impressive fuel economy. Enthusiasts should take comfort in the fact that the naturally aspirated engine may not be dying after all.”

Porsche attributes the impressive economy of this engine to the fact that it uses direct injection, brought over from the Cayenne. That, and a 200cc increase in engine capacity saw the 3.8 gain a healthy 30bhp over the outgoing 3.6 but emit 15% less CO₂.

Green Engine of the Year

VW introduced the 1.4-litre twincharged EA111 engine back in 2006, but today the engine is still good enough to fend off challenges from Mercedes and BMW diesels in addition to hybrids from Honda and Ford.

The 1.3-litre IMA from  Honda pushed it real close, but ultimately lost out because of its massive power deficit in comparison to the TSI, which can be tuned to output as much as 178bhp.

FC and emission figures ultimately clinched it for the VW. When used in the Golf, the TSI emits 144 grams of CO₂ for every kilometre traveled and consumes 6.2 litres of petrol for every one hundred. The Insight betters both these figures, but falls way short of the TSI’s impressive power output.

Best Performance Engine

Taking the title of the Best Performance Engine is none other than the famous 6.2-litre V8 M156 of Mercedes-AMG, which powers everything currently slapped with the 63 AMG badge.

This naturally aspirated high-revver (7,200rpm redline) had to beat two BMW engines, and one each from Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari to claim its prize.

Best Performance Engine: Mercedes-AMG M156 6.2 V8.

Sub 1-litre

The Sub 1-litre category is actually the best place for Japanese manufacturers to cari makan in these awards. As the Europeans tend to look at the bigger capacities, it leaves room for the Japanese to attack this segment unhindered.

Look no further, the only Japanese winner in this year’s award is here – Toyota’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder 1 KR-FE, which it also shares with the PSA Group. After narrowly winning this segment last year, the three-potter returned to trounce smart’s 799cc diesel into a distant second place.

Sub 1-litre: Toyota 1KR-FE

1-litre to 1.4-litre

The 1.0-1.4 segment sees a VW one-two finish, with two of its 1.4 TSI powerplants occupying the top two berths in this category. The very same engine that took home the Green Engine of the Year award, the EA111, now bags the 1.0-1.4 category as well.

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre

A piece of news that is certain to excite our 308 forummers in Autoworld, the turbocharged version BMW-PSA Prince 1.6-litre engine under their hoods havs won this segment for the third year running, comfortably beating the Toyota Prius 1.8-litre hybrid.

For this award, the version of the engine tested churned 175hp of power and 260Nm of torque, which is the specification level for the 308 GT and the Mini Cooper S.

Third place is taken by another engine that has also seen a reasonable amount of action in Malaysia, Audi’s 1.8-litre TFSI found in the likes of the A4, TT, Skoda Superb and VW Passat.

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre: BMW-PSA Prince

1.8-litre to 2.0-litre

Last year’s winner of the 1.8-2.0 category, Audi’s EA 113 2.0-litre TFSI engine, was finally deposed of its crown, ironically by its successor, the EA 888, another 2.0-litre TFSI engine available in power outputs ranging from 178 to 208bhp, and capable of up to 350Nm of torque.

The EA113, meanwhile, occupies third place, with the BMW N47 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel of the 123d sits between the two Audi powerplants at second. A special mention goes to Subaru for having its first diesel engine even nominated in the category.

1.8-litre to 2.0-litre: Audi EA888 2.0 TFSI

2.0-litre to 2.5-litre

Winning in the 2.0-2.5 category was the new 2.1-litre diesel from Mercedes-Benz introduced in the W212 E-class. Featuring twin-turbos, piezo-electric direct injection, Stuttgart’s latest oil-burner is available in three states of tune – 134bhp, 168bhp and 201bhp.

In second place is the 2.5-litre five-pot motor found in the Audi TT RS, recently previewed here in Autoworld Blog, capable of producing 340bhp and 450Nm. Also among the nominees, but finishing last, is the Honda 2.4-litre K24 engine, which in Malaysia’s market sees action in the Accord and Odyssey.

2.5-litre to 3.0-litre

Here is a category dominated by BMW for the past three years. Two time overall winner of the International Engine of the Year Award (in 2007 and 2008), the BMW N54B30 3.0-litre direct injection twin turbo engine continues to dominate this category for the third year running.

The N54 was BMW’s first turbocharged petrol engine since 1980, but it certainly was worth the wait. Lag free turbo response ensures a healthy 302bhp on tap with 400Nm of peak torque available pretty much all the time.

A distant second is another BMW 3.0-litre twin turbo engine, but a diesel powered variant, one that has seen action in the 335d, 535d, 635d, X3, X5 and X6, the M57. In the 35d state of tune, this engine outputs 282hp peak power and a whopping 580Nm of peak torque.

2.5-litre to 3.0-litre: NMW N54

3.0-litre to 4.0-litre

After being upstaged by the Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre monster in the Best Performance Engine category, the S65B40 4.0-litre V8 of the BMW M3 redeems some pride by comfortably beating two Porsche 3.8-litre flat six engines to take the 3-to-4 litre category.

Producing 414bhp at its 8,250rpm redline, the S65 replaces the highly successful S54B32 of the E46 M3. The S54 has left a tough act to follow, having walloped this category for no less than six times during its career. For the S65, this is its second victory in this category after winning it in 2008, ensuring BMW’s continued dominance in this segment.

3.0-litre to 4.0-litre: BMW S65B40

Above 4.0-litre

Mercedes and AMG reassume centerstage for the Above-4 category, with the 6.2 V8 M156 returning to shrug off challenges from two BMW powerplants, a Jag, a Cadillac, and a somewhat darkhorse in the form of a Lexus hybrid.

INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR 2009

After deciding the respective categories, judges then form a shortlist from the winner of each category to ultimately decide the winner of the International Engine of the Year award.

For 2009, the tiny 1.4-litre EA111 TSI powerplant from Volkswagen took on defeated the mighty N54 from BMW, ending the Bavarians’ four-year monopoly of the top prize. It wasn’t easy for the little guy though, as the defending champion fought it all the way, in the end losing only by four judging points.

INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR 2009: Volkswagen EA111

Was it Kia’s APRIL windcatcher?

Or Maybe the Hyundai Popemobile?

Perhaps you laughed hardest when you heard that Honda is developing mind-control for Asimo?

What about Mini’s claim for the PRO401 perpetual motion device?

The Sorento is one of those vehicles that helped to transform the Kia brand, gave it a bit of desirability.

Here are the first two pictures of the new Sorento.

It is certainly more exciting than the current design adn has all the trademark of their newfound confidence

Hopefully Naza will bring this model here quickly

Some hours ago, someone in a press room in Stuttgart put together a news release to announce to the world that the W204 Mercedes-Benz C-class was named in as one of 2009’s Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), adding another star to the C-class’ cap after receiving a five star rating by EuroNCAP. In essence, the IIHS’ crash test IS the United States’ answer to the EuroNCAP.

In the IIHS crash tests, cars are subject to frontal and side crashes, besides a rear impact test where evaluations to the cars’ protection against neck injury are evaluated. According to Mercedes, the W204 scored ‘top marks’ for each of the criteria, but whether the term is defined to mean maximum marks or highest marks among competitors could not be ascertained.

The US spec C-class which was tested had seven airbags, belt tensioners, belt force limiters and NECK PRO crash-responsive head restraints fitted as standard. Buyers can also opt for an anticipatory occupant protection system (dubbed PRESAFE) which pre-activates certain safety systems when it anticipates a collision to be imminent – a system that Mercedes claims would reduce the impact on occupants by as much as 40%.

Merc C-class, one of 72 Top Safety Picks of 2009

But, I was not going to just take Mercedes’ side of the story, and thus I went on to examine the claims at the IIHS’ official website (link here) where they listed no fewer than 72 Top Safety Picks for 2009 with another 26 ‘also-rans’. Here they are: (cars sold in Malaysia highlighted in bold)

Large cars
Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A3, A4
BMW 3 series 4-door models
Ford Fusion with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord 4-door models
Mercedes C class
Mercury Milan with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy (previously sold in Malaysia)
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

Midsize convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit (VW Golf)

Minicar
Honda Fit with optional electronic stability control (Honda Jazz)

Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX, RDX
BMW X3, X5
Ford Edge, Flex, Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class
Nissan Murano (only unofficially availabe in Malaysia)
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser, Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Ford Escape (new generation not sold in Malaysia)
Honda CR-V, Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup
Toyota Tacoma (Toyota Hilux)

ALSO-RANS
These 26 vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2009 Top Safety Pick winners if their seat/head restraints also earn good ratings:

Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Sebring, Sebring convertible, Town & Country
Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan
Infiniti G35, M35
Kia Amanti
Lexus ES, GS, IS
Mazda CX-7, CX-9
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor
Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Quest, Xterra
Saturn AURA
Smart Fortwo
Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Sienna