Toyota Prius

It may be different for the enthusiast but say the word hybrid to the layman and he’ll automatically associate it with the Toyota Prius. And now, the third generation is here, and slated to be launched in Malaysia next month. Let’s have a look at the new iconic hybrid Toyota that you’ll be able to buy at showrooms before the end of the year.

A hybrid vehicle essentially combines two or more power sources to move the vehicle. It commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles, which combine a combustion engine with electric motors.

When you implement a hybrid system, there are a few ways to configure the combustion engine and electric motors. With the introduction of the Honda Civic Hybrid, we’ve been introduced to the concept of a mild power assist hybrid system, or a mild parallel hybrid system.

In a mild parallel hybrid system, the internal combustion engine is always used as the primary power. A electric motor is installed between the engine and the transmission. It is only used to assist the combustion engine whenever needed, hence Honda calling it an Integrated Motor Assist system. Because the motor steps in whenever the driver demands more power, a smaller and more fuel efficient combustion engine can be used. However with this configuration there is no such thing as a zero emissions full EV mode – the car cannot run solely on the electric motor.

And then you have series hybrid cars, where a combustion engine running at a constant most efficient RPM is used as an electricity generated to power an electric motor, which drives the wheels.

Hummer H4 in 2010

General Motors has confirmed the 2010 Hummer H4. It will share its under body with another upcoming compact architecture but, the fun doesn’t stop there as the H3 sees the addition of a diesel model down under and the addition of a new H3 SUT model in 2008.

Martin Walsh mentioned the addition of a smaller Hummer that will sit below the current H3. "It will be another GM platform that will allow us to build a smaller vehicle," he says.

A Hummer insider admitted to fearing that its hard-won hardcore off-road image may be irreparably harmed if GM decides to go "soft" with the H4.

Hummer needs to maintain its 4WD reputation by ensuring that all its vehicles have a separate chassis, short overhangs, class-leading approach, breakover and departure angles, ample ground clearance and signature Hummer styling cues.

The ABS Brakes (Anti-Lock Braking System) in MPV Mahindra Xylo

Mahindra Xylo, the vehicle that has taken the MPV market by storm since its launch, comes packed with the most modern technological breakthroughs. After offering features like the mEagle engine developed on the NEF CRDe platform, the Engine Immobiliser that makes the car theft resistant, The ultrasonic sensors embedded in the rear of the car that assist reverse parking, the digital drive assist system that downloads all kinds of drive related information to you on the fly, the Xylo now offers the ABS Brakes or Anti-Lock Braking System which improves the vehicle?s stability by preventing the wheels from locking when brakes are applied on any skid-prone surface (snow, water, loose gravel, or even oil).

The basic function of ABS Brakes is to prevent the wheels on a vehicle from locking while braking. The advantage of a rotating wheel is that it allows steering control even under heavy braking by preventing skid of the wheel and allowing it to tractively interact with the road surface all the time.

ABS Brakes Operation

Typical ABS Brakes or Anti-Lock Braking System is composed of three components:

Electronic Control Unit
Wheel Speed Sensors
Two or more Hydraulic Valves within the brake hydraulics.
The Control Unit constantly monitors the speed sensors. It is meant to detect decelerations that are unusual. There will be rapid deceleration in the wheel right before it locks up. The wheel that locks up could stop spinning instantaneously Without ABS Brakes.

On the other hand, in a vehicle with ABS Brakes, the ABS controller understands that such rapid deceleration is impossible. So, it reduces the pressure to the brake until acceleration is detected, then it increases the pressure until a deceleration is detected again. It can do this at a very fast rate, before the tire can actually significantly change speed. This eventually leads to the tire to slow down at the same rate as the car, with the brakes keeping the car on the threshold of a lock-up. This gives the system maximum braking power.

Brake Pedal ?Pulsation? is normal during the operation of ABS Brakes. The driver is required to keep the pressure on the brake pedal hard enough even under the pulsations. The pulsations may be quite violent, but this is normal. In an emergency stop in a car with ABS Brakes, the driver should apply the brake firmly and hold it while ABS does its work.

ABS Brakes have been introduced in the higher end model of Mahindra Xylo, the E8, on basis of customer feedback and suggestions. Depending on the demand, this feature may be introduced in other variants of Xylo too.

ABS Brakes makes Xylo an even safer vehicle to drive.

FIAT ULYSSE MPV

 

What Car? says
3 out of 5 stars

For Its diesel engines are refined and some versions have eight seats

Against Luggage space is poor considering the size of the car and the electric sliding doors aren’t fitted to all models

Verdict It’s a fine MPV, but Citroen’s C8 offers more kit

Go for… 2.0 TD

Avoid… 2.0 Prestigio

Fiat Ulysse MPV full review with expert trade views

The Ulysse’s dash has a modern, minimalist design, complete with centrally mounted dials, but it’s very much a typical MPV otherwise. Most versions can carry seven, although there was an eight-seater option, and top-of-the-range cars have six individual captain’s chairs. In each model, all but the front pair of seats are removable.

Every model also has sliding rear doors, which are a real help when getting in and out of the back in tight parking spots. However, where the virtually identical Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807 tend to come with these doors electrically operated – useful when your hands are full – these were only a cost option on the Ulysse.

Given the car’s size and shape, it’s surprisingly refined and good to drive: the ride, which is on the firm side around town, settles nicely at speed; and, while you’re always aware of its bulk when tackling corners, the car is reasonably controlled, with only limited body roll.

There was a 136bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine, but the two fine turbodiesels – a 109bhp 2.0-litre and a 128bhp 2.2 – make more sense because of their superior fuel economy and smooth power delivery. However, while the extra low-down pulling power of the 2.2 is useful, it costs a fair bit more, so put the 2.0-litre at the top of your shopping list.

The basic Dynamic model has more than enough kit for most people, so we think there’s no point in spending any more. Climate control, a CD player and a small fridge for keeping cans of drink cool are all fitted as standard, and the safety kit includes driver, passenger and side airbags for those in the front, and full-length curtain airbags that protect all three rows of seats.

If that really isn’t enough, you could step up to Eleganza trim, which brings dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, alloy wheels, reversing sensors and a mirror that lets you keep an eye on the kids in the back, while top-trim Prestigio cars come with leather upholstery and a CD multichanger.

The Ulysse depreciates quite heavily, making it a tempting second-hand buy, but it didn’t sell as well as the near-identical Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807, so used examples are harder to find.

As long as nothing major goes wrong, it should be affordable to maintain. The rates charged by Fiat dealers are on a par with most rival manufacturers, and independent Fiat specialists can undercut them by almost 40%.

Fuel economy is pretty much what you’d expect for this sort of car, with the petrol engine returning 31.0mpg on the combined cycle, the 2.0-litre diesel averaging 40.4 and the 2.2 diesel 38.2mpg.

However, insurance bills are low for a large MPV, with the Dynamic petrol car attracting a group 10 rating and all the other models sitting in group 11.

Fiat doesn’t have the best reliability record, with owners consistently criticising their cars in the annual JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. It’s no surprise, then, that the Ulysse is no more than average in this area.

Claims by Warranty Direct customers show that it can suffer from electrical problems that cause the instruments to misread or fail, and some cars have suffered front suspension failures.

Fiat also issued three recalls on the car, so make sure you check in the service recors that the necessary work has been done. Diesel models built between January 2002 and July 2004 had a problem with the bolts that held their sound deadening guard in place; there was a chance the airbags could go off by mistake on all models built between January 2002 and July 2004 and cars built between August 2003 and July 2004 needed to have their engine management software updated.

Proton EXORA - Sport Edition

 

Good News for all Proton users, Proton launch the latest design of Exora! This is the other concept Proton Exora which Proton Design whipped up in conjunction with the Exora’s launch. The Proton Exora Prestige converts the Exora into a VIP chauffeured car with a lounge behind where one can either continue to work on the move or relax on the way home after a stressful day.

There is of course a body kit which includes a double fin front bumper grill, warp-around chrome fog lamp garnish, a front lip, side skirts, rear apron with integrated quad exhausts, a rear roof spoiler, chrome glass trimming, chrome side protector moulding, a customised smoked rear brake lamp, tinted glass, and 18 inch wheels with 224/40R18 tyres.

In the interior, the first row is separated from the rest of the vehicle via a glass panel to give the boss at the back some privacy. The rear passenger can communicate with the driver via an intercom. This privacy glass panel includes a 19 inch LCD TV.
The VIP seats have electric adjustments, a massage system, and a built-in working table. Other creature comforts include a nice sound system including two 8 inch subwoofers to match the 5.1 channel DVD player, a stow-away footrest and a cooler box.
For people who have a money they can choose to buy this... But the price I think very though. Anyway good luck for Proton!