grand royale - Automobile Association of Malaysia

AN AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA (AAM) PUBLICATION
Vol 26#7 w Jan/Feb w PP 314/12/2009 (022823) w www.aam.org.my
grand royale
starex
SMS US YOUR
MEMBERSHIP
DETAILS
TODAY!
STEP 1: TYPE
AAM <space> NRIC <space>
VEHICLE NO <space>
R/TAX EXPIRY DATE
SEND
Example: AAM 720430045467
wnm9975 221108
STEP 2: SEND
36660
Proton Satria S2000
AAM’S ROAD
SAFETY BLOG
‘HAVE YOUR SAY’
Check out the all-new Automobile
Association of Malaysia (AAM) road
safety blog!
Follow-us on the blog as we address
various road safety issues and post
your comments and opinions. Road
safety awareness is a communal effort
and we invite members to contribute
towards the common goal of making
our roads safer for all road users.
SEND
NOTE:
l Each SMS reply will be charged RM0.30.
lEach SMS sent from member will be charged
at standard Telco SMS rate according to
member’s mobile phone operator.
from the chairman 2010 will see the AAM
intensifying efforts in
membership recruitment. The
Association’s core business
is centred on members, and
while we have already firmly
established AAM as the
most preferred and leading
breakdown assistance provider
in the country
I would like to take this opportunity to wish
all members, personnel and partners of the
Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM)
a very Happy New Year. The year we leave
behind had been an extremely challenging
but nevertheless fulfilling and in moving
forward, may 2010 be an even better and
more prosperous year for us all.
As an Association that is devoted to
providing a service, the AAM continues to
push ahead with reforms to ensure that
we are in a position to offer the very best
to our members. The Association also
progressively introduces initiatives in order
to remain competitive and preserve a
sound business model.
While 2009 proved to be a financiallychallenging period for the Association as
a result of the global financial crisis, we
anticipate on making up for lost ground in
2010 with the economy continuing to show
positive signs of a strong recovery.
2010 will see the AAM intensifying
efforts in membership recruitment. The
Association’s core business is centred on
members, and while we have already firmly
established AAM as the most preferred and
leading breakdown assistance provider in
the country, we would like to ensure that
our position is strengthened.
At this juncture I would like to thank all
AAM members for your continued support
and the trust you have placed in the
Association. In return, we are committed
to enhancing our services across all
areas, extending the number of benefits
and privileges, and making sure that we
fulfil your expectations and perform to the
desired standards.
The AAM will also place greater
emphasis on enhancing the efficiency
and standards of its services, reducing
operational costs and establishing greater
strategic partnerships to diversify on the
Association’s business model. I would
like to assure members that the services
we extend to you will not in any way be
compromised in the pursuit of greater cost
efficiency
On other matters, I would like to invite
all members to visit the all-new AAM
website at www.aam.org.my. We envision
the new website to become a focal point
in communicating with our members on a
more frequent and regular basis. With the
creation of a forum and road safety blog,
we invite members to share their opinions
and views pertaining to current events,
industry and Association issues. The
Association’s bi-monthly DRIVE magazine
is also exclusively available online in 44
full colour pages for members, in addition
to announcements pertaining to the latest
promotions, services, privileges and
benefits.
In closing, I would like to take this
opportunity to wish members a Happy
Chinese New Year. Please be reminded
to always make safety your number one
priority when you’re on the road this
holiday period.
Safe journey!
Y.M TUNKU DATUK MUDZAFFAR BIN
TUNKU MUSTAPHA
DKYR, PSD, PJK, HON.COMP.IMI-UK
TUNKU KECHIL BESAR.
AAM offices
AAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CHAIRMAN
Y.M. TUNKU DATUK MUDZAFFAR TUNKU MUSTAPHA
DKYR, PSD, PJK, HON. COMP. IMI-UK, TUNKU KECHIL
BESAR
VICE CHAIRMAN
WAN ZAHARUDDIN WAN AHMAD
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
l AHMED ISMAIL B. HAJI AMIN
l YUSOF BIN ABU OTHMAN
l LEONG CHOO KONG
l DR ABDUL MALIK BIN MD YUSOFF
HEAD OFFICE
Block E-7-4, Megan Avenue 1, 189 Jalan Tun Razak,
50400 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : (03)2162 5777 (GENERAL) Fax : (03)2162 5358
(03)2161 0808 (24-HOUR BREAKDOWN SERVICE)
MRU UNIT: (03) 2698 1932
E-mail : [email protected]
AAM South City Plaza
F.1.63, First Floor, South City Plaza,
Persiaran Serdang Perdana,
Taman Serdang Perdana, Seksyen 1,
43300 Seri Kembangan,
T: 03 8945 1117 F: 03 8945 1116
Correspondence and enquiries, please send to:
The Automobile Association of Malaysia
Block E-7-4, Megan Avenue 1, 189 Jalan Tun Razak,
50400 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2162 5777 • Fax: 03-2162 5358
E-mail: [email protected]
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Wan Zaharuddin Wan Ahmad
EDITOR: Harris Iskandar Taib
LAYOUT & DESIGN: HIT Communications
PRINTER: Ultimate Print Sdn Bhd
Lot 2, Jalan Sepana 15/3, Off Persiaran Selangor, Seksyen
15, 40200 Shah Alam, Selangor
l Tel: 03-5511 3888 Fax: 03-5101 3606
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING : HIT Communications
l Tel/fax: 03-78472415
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS DEPARTMENT
l Vinod Kesavan
Marketing & Promotions Manager
PUBLISHER: The Automobile Association of Malaysia
SUBSIDIARIES
l AAM Travel
Tel : (03)2163 5210 E-mail : [email protected]
l AAM Motorsports
Tel : (03)7710 9121 E-mail : [email protected]
While every care is taken in the compiling of this issue of the Drive
Magazine, the Automobile Association of Malaysia assumes no
responsibility for any consequences arising from errors and omissions. The
opinions of the writers or contributors are personal and do not necessarily
reflect those of the AAM. Editorial contributions are welcomed but must
be accompanied by return postage. Such materials will be handled with
reasonable care. However, the Publisher cannot be HELD responsible
for the safety of artwork, photographs or manuscript. Publication of an
advertisement or a product write-up does not imply that the service or
product is recommended by the AAM, unless stated so.
news
SIX PERODUA CARS
UP FOR GRABS IN
THE AAM ROAD
SAFETY AWARENESS
SMS n’ WIN CONTEST
Injecting the element of fun into imparting on
road safety awareness at an entirely new level, the
Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM) has
launched an exciting SMS n’ Win contest that is
offering six Perodua Viva Elite cars to be given away.
The year-long contest which kicks off on 15 October
2009 to 15 September 2010, invites participants to
answer two questions correctly and to complete a
slogan.
The contest is open to those who sign up or renew
their AAM, AAM AEON Cruize card and AAM Diners
Club Affinity card memberships, as well as those who
purchase a comprehensive motor insurance from AAM,
an AAM car battery and the AAM Smart Tracker antitheft GPS system.
“This is one of several activities that are being
carried out under the next phase of AAM’s ongoing
efforts to enhance road safety awareness,” said AAM
Chairman Tunku Mudzaffar bin Tunku Mustapha.
Over the years the AAM has initiated and
embarked on a comprehensive series of activities
from organizing numerous nationwide road safety
campaigns, to fostering a strong working relationship
with the Government, relevant agencies and various
other non-government agencies in the effort to reduce
fatalities and road accidents.
“As a responsible as well as caring motoring
organization, the AAM remains committed to and
focused on continuing with its efforts to educate
motorists, ensuring that the highest level of road
safety awareness is embraced by every motorist.
“While the initiatives have taken on many different
forms, the ultimate goals remain the focused and that
is to make our roads safer for all road users,” Tunku
Mudzaffar stressed.
To enter the contest, participants must first
register by submitting their identity card number
and receipt number via SMS to 36600. They will then
receive an SMS confirming their registration and
accompanied by two questions that must be answered
correctly. Every 500th correct SMS will also stand to
win a Sony MP3 player.
To be eligible to win a Perodua Viva Elite,
participants must complete the slogan “Road safety
is…” in not more than 148 characters and SMS to
36600.
Participants are allowed to send in multiple entries
provided the entries are accompanied by different
receipt numbers. A single receipt is only eligible for
one entry.
For more information, look out for the contest
advertisement in major newspapers or log on to www.
aam.org.my
news
SATRIA NEO TO GET
NEW POWERTRAIN
MOTORCYCLISTS
TO UNDERGO
SURVIVAL SKILLS
TRAINING
While the Proton Satria Neo has the cutting and all the
necessary aesthetics of being a sporty hot-hatch, the 1.6-litre
CAMPRO engine that powers it somewhat leaves much to be
desired as far as spirited performance is concerned.
Recognising this and with the intention of harnessing the
huge potential the Satria Neo has in terms of building the
PROTON brand globally, the company has announced that the
model is to receive a new powertrain in 2010.
“So far the Satria Neo has not gotten the right powertrain
for its body shell…By next year, enthusiasts can look forward to
having a more suitable powertrain fitted to the Satria Neo,” said
PROTON Board Member Dato’ Zainuddin Che Din.
“We trust it will have enthusiasts smiling compared to what
the Satria Neo currently offers.”
While no further details were made available, PROTON in
collaboration with Lotus is currently developing a turbocharged
version of the 1600cc CAMPRO engine which may be the
powertrain Zainuddin spoke of.
Malaysian motorcyclists will now have to learn what is called
rider survival skills at selected driving institutions nationwide
beginning 2010 in a move designed to minimize road accidents
and fatalities involving motorcyclists and pillion riders.
Motorcyclists who possess the “L” (learner) licence will need
to undergo this special training before they are awarded a full
licence.
STUDY REVEALS
AIRBAGS SAFE FOR
PREGNANT WOMEN
A study published in the December issue of Obstetrics &
Gynecology has revealed that airbags appear safe for pregnant
women and the babies they’re carrying.
Although it has been established that air bags save lives
in car crashes, there has been a lingering question whether
the devices might also protect pregnant women and unborn
children.
In the new study, reported in China’s Xinhua news
agency, researchers at the University of Washington found
that “pregnant occupants of motor vehicles with air bags
were not at increased risk for pregnancy complications”
such as Ceasarean delivery, foetal distress and low birth
weight.
news CHEVROLET GOES TO NAZA
Effective 1 January 2010, conglomerate
DRB-HICOM Bhd will cease to become
the distributor of Chevrolet vehicles in
Malaysia.
The distribution agreement was
mutually terminated between DRBHICOM and General Motors Asia Pacific
Holdings Co LLC/General Motors South
East Operations.
NAZA, is expected to be appointed
as the new distributor for Chevrolet in
Malaysia.
THIEVES
RESORTING
TO SHOCK
TACTICS
Police has warned motorists about sharp
rise in smash-and-grab cases.
Thieves are resorting to much more
daring approaches and the latest is by
breaking the car window while the car
is being driven or is stopped on the road.
Robbers are also resorting to smashing
the windows of parked vehicles and
targeting victims as they alight from the
vehicle.
So daring is this tactic that it often
leaves victims surprised and stunned so
much so they are unable to respond or
react accordingly or quickly enough.
ESSENTIALLY WE WILL
HAVE TWO MALAYSIAN
TEAMS IN F1
Italian Jarno Trulli and Scandanavian Heikki Kovalainen has signed on to spearhead
Malaysia’s Team Lotus F1’s debut season in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship.
Local driver Fairuz Fauzy meanwhile, has been selected as the team’s third and test
driver.
In other developments, national oil company Petronas, has signed a five-year
sponsorship deal with Mercedes-Benz that will see the return of Formula 1 great
Michael Schumacher in the all-new Schumacher, coming out of retirement will partner
fellow german Nico Rosberg.
The decision to go with Mercedes-Benz and not Lotus (as many had wanted to see
happen) will allow related business arrangements with Mercedes that will support
Petronas’ international business expansion efforts, particularly in its global lubricant
business. The exclusive rights of a title partner and association with the premium,
internationally-renowned Mercedes brand will further enhance Petronas and
Malaysia’s ongoing global brand positioning efforts.
It will also present Petronas with the opportunity to utilise and leverage on
Mercedes’ long motor sport heritage to further supplement its talent development
initiatives as part of its contribution towards the development of Malaysia’s
motorsports industry.
2
10 car review
FORTE AWARDED
‘CAR OF THE YEAR’
BY POPULAR US-BASED ONLINE
AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCE
The 2010 all-new Kia Forte was recently
named “Car of the Year” by US-based
vehicle information website, NADAguides.
com due to its attractive styling, value and
extensive list of class-leading features.
The Kia Forte was earlier awarded by
NADAguides.com as “Car of the Month”
for the month of August and was chosen
ahead of eight other vehicles for the Car of
the Year honour.
NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month
programme provides consumers in the
US with useful commentary, information
and reviews on new cars, trucks and
SUVs and showcases vehicles that offer
impressive fuel economy, safety features
and amenities.
“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,” said Michael Caudill,
automotive expert for NADAguides.com.
The 2010 Forte was launched by Naza
Kia Sdn Bhd, a unit of the Naza Group,
in November and has already received
a positive response from Malaysian
consumers.
“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.
car review 11
The all-new 2010 Forte’s Car of
the Year award from NADAguides.com
is the second such award it has picked
up this year. In June, the Forte was
awarded “Best Model of the Year” at the
Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Automotive
Awards.
In Malaysia , Naza Kia is offering
the all new Forte in either a 1.6L or
2.0L variant. For the 1.6L model,
consumers are given the choice of either
the entry level EX variant or the higher
specification SX variant.
The Forte 1.6L EX, priced at
RM75,800.00, features dual airbags,
anti-lock braking system (ABS), 15-inch
wheels, active headrests, electronic
chromic mirrors and a radio/CD player
with USB iPod connectivity.
The higher specification Forte 1.6L
SX, which is priced at RM81,800.00,
features, among others, an electronic
stability control package which
comprises electronic brake-force
distribution, cornering brake control,
brake assist system, traction control
system and anti-lock braking system.
Other features include 17-inch alloy
wheels, a six-CD changer with iPod
connectivity, an iPod cable, UV cut glass,
push start ignition, smart key system
and full auto air-conditioning system.
Both the Forte 1.6L EX and SX
are fitted with a four-cylinder 1,591 cc
DOHC CVVT petrol engine that delivers
an output of 124 PS at 6,300 rpm and
156 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm and
are mated to a four-speed automatic
transmission with shiftronic. Published
fuel consumption figures (combined
urban and extra-urban) for the Forte
1.6EX and SX are 7-litres and 7.1-litres
per 100km respectively.
The Forte 2.0L SX variant features
a four-cylinder 1,998 cc DOHC CVVT
petrol engine with an output of 156 PS
at 6,200 rpm and 194.2 Nm of torque at
4,300 rpm.
The Forte 2.0L SX, priced at
RM93,800.00, comes with all of the
features in the Forte 1.6L SX variant as
well as side and curtain airbags, motordriven power steering, leather seats and
a rear parking assist system. It comes
with the same four-speed automatic
transmission with shiftronic that is
fitted in the Forte’s 1.6L variants. The
combined urban and extra-urban fuel
consumption for the 2.0L SX is 7.8 litres
per 100 km.
12 car review
EXORA
receives well deserved
endorsement in thailand
PROTON clinched the number six
position in car bookings made during
the recent Thailand International Motor
Expo 2009, which was held from 2 to 13
December in Bangkok, securing 1,388
bookings out of the total 25,220 recorded
at the Expo.
Proton’s performance at the Expo had
preceded more established names such
as Toyota, Isuzu and Mitsubishi who
benefitted from the sales of their pick-up
models. This indicates the support and
confidence of Thai customers towards the
fairly new brand, which offers value-formoney and reliable vehicles.
Proton sales bookings in the Expo had
as such beaten all Korean and continental
brands in Thailand, positioning it as one
of the strongest selling brands in the Expo
within the ranks of the Japanese brands.
The Proton Exora, which made its debut
in Thailand during the motor show, was
the best selling Proton model securing a
total of 825 bookings, which accounts for
almost 60% of Proton’s 1,388 units sold
during the Expo. The Proton Savvy was
the next best-seller recording 19.5% of the
total bookings over the event.
The progress reflects a positive
performance in PROTON’s export and
brand awareness initiatives. PROTON
Holdings Berhad Group Managing
Director, Dato’ Haji Syed Zainal Abidin
Syed Mohamed Tahir said, “This is only
an initial indication that all our export
initiatives are showing positive signs
of success. We have been, and still are,
working very hard in paving our way
through our identified export markets,
and we are glad that Thailand has
accepted and recognized us.”
“As the automotive hub of the South
East Asia, we are very encouraged by
the growth and prospects Thailand has
to offer. With it being an important MPV
market in the region, we are pleased that
the Exora has been well accepted,” says
Dato’ Syed Zainal.
Thailand is Exora’s fourth export
market after Singapore, Indonesia and
Brunei and the fifth Proton model in the
country ever since the Malaysian car
manufacturer entered the Thai market
in 2007. PROTON has since successfully
placed itself among the top 10 brands in
passenger car sales in the country.
Below are details of the bookings tally:
NO
BRAND
TOTAL
1
TOYOTA
7,230
2
HONDA
4,239
3
ISUZU
2,539
4
MAZDA
2,277
5
MITSUBISHI
1,518
6
PROTON
1,388
7
NISSAN
1,209
8
CHEVROLET
766
9
HYUNDAI
459
10
BMW
415
Out of the 1,388 bookings received
by Proton in the motorshow, below are
the breakdown of bookings received by
variant:
MODEL
BOOKINGS
%
SAVVY
270
19.5%
NEO
16
1.1%
NEO CPS
24
1.7%
GEN 2
78
5.6%
PERSONA
20
1.5%
PERSONA CNG
155
11.2%
EXORA
825
59.4%
TOTAL
1,388
100%
tips 13
CONSIDER YOURSELF
A TARGET
and be prepared at all times
Police is warning motorists about the
sharp rise in smash-and-grab cases.
According to the police, robbers either
smashed the windows of parked cars to
grab the loot, targeted potential victims
when they stopped their vehicles at
traffic light junctions, or when they were
about to alight from vehicles.
Thieves are resorting to much more
daring approaches and the latest and
increasing scare is by breaking your car
window while you’re driving or stopped
on the road.
This is what is also termed as a
shock and surprise tactic. Let’s face it, no
one expects an individual to smash your
car window in daylight traffic and take
off with your handbag or prized laptop.
So daring is this tactic that it often
leaves victims surprised and stunned so
much so they are unable to respond or
react accordingly or quickly enough.
In most cases these “attacks” are
not random. Stay alert at all times,
especially whenever the vehicle comes to
a halt on the road. It usually starts with
motorcyclists or individuals suspiciously
looking into your vehicle and then tailing
you until you reach a remote area.
Always stay alert and keep an eye out
for individuals or vehicles that may be
trailing you. Whenever in doubt or the
sixth sense tells you something is amiss,
drive straight to the police station or the
nearest crowded public place. It’s better
to be safe than sorry, even if it is a false
alarm.
14 travel promotion
WINTER PROMOTION
ground only...private tour...2 to go...!!!
5 Night Swiss @ Glance
Day 01: Zurich – Interlaken
Day 02: Interlaken – Jungfrau – Top of
Europe
Day 03: Interlaken – Lucern
Day 04: Lucern – Mount Titlis
Day 05: Lucern – Zurich
Day 06: Zurich
Package Inclusive Of:
2 Nights @ Interlaken
2 Nights @ Lucerne
1 Night @ Zurich
l Daily Continental Breakfast
l Excursions To Jungfrau
l All Transfer On Private Basis
l Government Tax & Service Charge
Package Price @ Twin Sharing
3 Diamond @ RM 5,480.00
4 Diamond @ RM 5,945.00
6 Nights Simply Italy
Day 01: Rome
Day 02: Rome – Florence
Day 03: Florence – Venice
Day 04: Venice
Day 05: Venice – Milan
Day 06: Milan – Rome
Day 07: Rome
Package Inclusive Of:
2 Nights @ Rome
1 Night @ Florence
2 Nights @ Venice
1 Night @ Milan
l Daily Continental Breakfast
l Return Airport / Train Station Transfer
l Train Ticket Rome/Florence/Venice/
Milan/Rome
l Sightseeing Tour & Seat In Coach
l Government Tax & Service Charge
Package Price @ Twin Sharing
3 Diamond @ RM 7,285.00
4 Diamond @ RM 8,040.00
6 Nights Exotic Spain
Day 01: Madrid
Day 02: Madrid – Seville
Day 03: Seville – Granada – Seville
Day 04: Seville – Cordoba – Seville
Day 05: Seville – Barcelona
Day 06: Barcelona
Day 07: Barcelona
Package Inclusive Of:
1 Night @ Madrid
3 Nights @ Seville
2 Nights @ Barcelona
l Daily Continental Breakfast
l Return Airport / Train Station
Transfer
l AVE Train Ticket Madrid – Seville – Barcelona
l Tour Based On Seat In Coach
l Government Tax & Service Charge
Package Price @ Twin Sharing
3 Diamond @ RM 6,120.00
4 Diamond @ RM 6,969.00
6 Nights Discover London & Paris
Day 01: London
Day 02: London
Day 03: London – Paris
Day 04: Paris
Day 05: Paris
Day 06: Paris – London
Day 07: London
PACKAGE
VALID UNTIL
31 March 2010
Price Not Valid
During Eve &
Public Holiday
Package Inclusive Of:
3 Nights @ London
3 Nights @ Paris
l Daily Continental Breakfast
l Return Airport Transfer In London & Paris
l Sights & Sounds Of London Tour
l Return Ticket On Standard Class Eurostar To Paris
l Paris Express Tour
l Government Tax & Service Charge
Package Price @ Twin Sharing
3 Diamond @ RM 4,615.00
4 Diamond @ RM 5,465.00
travel promotion 15
motorsports
OPENING SOON!
Southeast Asia will soon be buzzing with
the legacy of Hollywood and its own movie
magic when its FIRST and ONLY Universal
Studios theme park in Singapore opens its
doors even before we can say ‘Gong Xi Fa
Cai’ in 2010.
Part of the massive Resorts World
Sentosa, created by gaming and leisure
conglomerate, the Genting Group, what can
be called the S$6.59 billion family resort
destination’s crown jewel, Universal Studios
Singapore promises to be the most popular
amongst adults and children as they
discover its thrills and spills, the adventure
and the absolute variety it has to offer.
The site, which is near completion with
the rising of the world’s first Far Far Away
Castle from the land of Shrek, the filling
of a giant eco-lake, and the erection of the
world’s tallest duelling roller coasters, is
enormous as you drive over the causeway
onto the island. With just weeks to go
before its opening, the transformation
from concrete to theme park has teams
working round the clock and squeezing
every ounce of creativity from their wildest of
imaginations to bring this project to life.
Universal Studios Singapore will be built
around a lagoon and feature 24 rides and
shows – 18 of which have been especially
designed for Singapore. These are spread
across seven exciting theme zones – The
Lost World, home to twin attractions
WaterWorld and Jurassic Park Rapids
Adventure; Ancient Egypt, where guests will
experience the wrath of the Revenge of the
Mummy; Sci-Fi City – a world’s first, where
Battlestar Galactica duelling coasters and
Transformers will battle for centrestage; New
York; Hollywood; Madagascar and of course,
Far Far Away, where the characters of Shrek
will come alive.
Besides Universal Studios Singapore,
Resorts World Sentosa will also boast
the Marine Life Park, the world’s largest
oceanarium, the Maritime Xperiential
Museum, six hotels, a myriad of
entertainment, performances and shows as
well as Singapore’s first legalized casino.
16 car review
grand it
certainly is
HYUNDAI’S
MIGHTY
GRAND
STAREX
ROYALE
By Harris Iskandar Taib
The two biggest issues I had with the
Hyundai Grand Starex Royale after a
four-day test drive courtesy of HyundaiSime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd, were as
follows:
1. Now that I have made the grave
mistake of test driving it, no other MPV
even comes close to offering the sheer
mount of space it offers,
2. I’m in the market for an MPV, but
the desire to shop around has more or
less disappeared.
For those who have a difficult time
trying to imagine what the Starex
looks like, it’s one mammoth of an
MPV, slightly larger than your average
parking box, it has four rows of seats and
comfortably – and I do mean comfortably
– seats up to 11 people.
Well, Hyundai declares as an 11seater, but I can personally attest to the
fact that I had driven to dinner with two
families or 16 individuals, and not once,
did the children jostle for space.
With four small children and a twodoor sports saloon, I quickly equated
driving the Starex over the weekend to
moving from a 3-room apartment to a
bungalow.
The Starex is seriously BIG,
physically big, big in terms of interior
space, and big in value.
At RM149,000, I’m putting my neck
on the line by declaring that the Starex
could well and truly be the best-value for
money MPV you can buy today. I’m sorry
kids, but daddy can’t afford one right
now.
Let’s put it this way – if you’re going
to spend 149 big ones, you might as well
get the biggest offering available!
Summing up the four-day test drive
car review 17
In terms of sheer size,
even the likes of the
Toyota Alphard and
Nissan Elgrand are
not match for the
big
behemoth Starex
starex is seriously
physically
in terms of interior space
in value
experience, I conclude that the Starex lives
in a world that is both practical and not.
Allow me to qualify this statement.
Practical, in the sense that it’s huge
and space will unlikely ever be an issue,
the 2.5-litre CRDI turbo diesel engine
has more than enough power to move
this mammoth of an MPV, because it’s
a diesel it is extremely fuel economical,
and it’s exceptionally maneuverable and
agile.
While I have never been a big fan
of diesel engines, I sincerely believe
Hyundai made the correct choice of
the 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine. With
392Nm or torque available to you from
2,000 to 2,500rpm, the Starex is mighty
responsive and eager for a vehicle of
this size. It isn’t underpowered at all.
The engine selection also kills two birds
with one stone giving a vehicle of this
size exceptional fuel economy. In the
Malaysian context, because it’s a 2.5litre, the road tax is also manageable.
Had it been powered by a petrol engine,
the displacement required would have
greater, meaning you’d probably end
up spending more not only on fuel but
road tax. This, or you’d probably be
complaining that it’s underpowered as
hell.
In terms of sheer size, even the
likes of the Toyota Alphard and Nissan
Elgrand are not match for the behemoth
Starex. It’s bigger, wider and taller and
perhaps a closer and fairer adversary
would be the Ford Transit. The design
and styling however, especially from the
side and its very large and pronounced
front grille, bares strong resemblance to
the Alphard.
The all-round body kit fitted to the
Starex Royale indeed makes a very great
difference, giving it a more stout, sporty
and elegant appearance. Frankly as far
18 car review
as enthusiasts go, all you really need are
a set of larger wheels to replace the stock
standard 16” inch alloys.
The most prominent feature of the
Starex I must say is its extra large front
and rear passenger doors. Believe me, it’s
huge. Both the rear doors slide open very
wide with ease and despite the absence
of an automatic power door function, is
almost effortless to open and close. The
door lights meanwhile, provide excellent
illumination.
Inside, the Starex is all that it can be
– BIG and spacious. I just love the front
row passenger seats as it comes with a
foldable third seat (it can be folded down
to become an armrest or can be used as a
seat for a third passenger).
The second and third rows of seats
also have a foldable third seat to make
way for an isle.
With regards to styling, there really
isn’t anything extraordinary apart
from the fact that it comes with leather
upholstery. In-car entertainment (a very
important pre-requisite for families with
children), comes in the form of a touchscreen DVD monitor up front, and a large
roof-mounted monitor for passengers.
While the Starex still has a long
way to match the interior appeal (look
and feel) of continental MPVs, the
build quality is exceptionally good, the
seats are comfortable and NVH (noise,
vibration & harshness) levels are within
the accepted range. The fact that Starex
is a diesel means it does sound a lot
louder than a petrol-engine vehicle, but
once you’re on the move, this no longer
becomes such an issue.
Now, the not-so practical side to
owning a Starex meanwhile – well
actually it isn’t really a downside but
rather a slight inconvenience which takes
some adjusting to - is the fact that almost
every parking lot will appear either
too small or narrow, and because of its
extraordinary height, you best be careful
car review 19
Air-conditioning in the
Starex however, works
like a gem and with rear
air-conditioning vents
and control, it only takes
a matter of minutes to
cool down the extra large
cabin area even on the
hottest of days.
when venturing into multi-storey car
parks. To assist you with the view at
the rear, the Starex however, comes
equipped with a reverse camera and
for a vehicle this size, it is extremely
maneuverable not to mention it has a
very small turning radius of only 5.6m.
I was also hoping the fourth and rear
most row of seats could be folded down
flat to accommodate a larger luggage
area. Instead, the entire row can only be
slide forward.
And while the Starex may turn out
to be a vehicle all you could ever want in
an MPV, it did lack certain features for
instance a sunroof.
Similar with many MPVs that
feature sliding doors, the centre
windows can’t be rolled down but opens
up slightly to the side for ventilation.
The rear most windows can also be
unlatched to provide some degree of
ventilation.
The air-conditioning in the Starex
however, works like a gem and with
rear air-conditioning vents and control,
it only takes a matter of minutes to cool
down the extra large cabin area even on
the hottest of days.
The fact that the entry-level
Hyundai I10 is essentially 1/3 the price
of the Starex but has a more European
and elegant instrument cluster also had
me wondering.
Would I buy one? In the wonderful
world where money is not an issue, I’d
probably say hell yes. Unfortunately,
in the world we currently live in where
on the contrary, money doesn’t grow on
trees, and for the benefit of those who
may be looking at buying an MPV, I’d
like you to consider the following factors
objectively:
1. At RM149,000 and for size and
practicality it offers, the Starex is
certainly big value for money.
2. The fact the a used Hyundai Trajet
today cost in the region of RM40,000
however, does present you with a very
bleak picture in terms of depreciation
value. (The Trajet was once within
the RM120,000 range). Then again,
on the brigher side, with 11-seats and
room for much more, you probably
won’t have to prematurely sell your
Starex for something with more
space.
3. With fuel prices soon to be segregated
into subsidized and non-subsidized
prices, you’re assured that the Starex
diesel will get you further on much
less.
4. Cost of ownership. With Korean cars
– Hyundai is no exception – owners
have often experienced the cost of
spare parts generally falling on
the rather higher side. The Starex
however, offers owners a 300,000km
or five-year warranty for greater
peace of mind. That equates to 164km
of trouble-free driving per day for the
next five years or seven times driving
the distance around the globe.
5. In the event you do decide to sell it
over the next three to four years,
would it be easy to dispose off?
Barring any major mechanical issues
with the vehicle, I would think yes
the Starex is a vehicle that would be
very much desirable.
Frankly, at RM149,000, the Starex
is a real bargain considering the next
nearest competition is well beyond the
RM200,000 mark. You have to drive one
to really appreciate it.
Exterior styling: *****
Interior styling: ***
Comfort:
****
Performance:
Fuel economy:
Desirability: ****
*****
*****
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 5125mm
Width: 1920mm
Height: 1925mm
Engine displacement: 2,497cc
Maximum power: 125kW at 3,800
rpm
Maximum torque: 392Nm at
2,000-2,500rpm
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Suspension
(front): MacPherson strut type
(rear): Rigid axle 5-link
Brakes: (front): 16-inch ventilated
disc with 2-pot caliper
(rear): 16-ventilated disc with 1-pot
caliper
Colours available: crystal white,
sleek silver, carbon grey, stone
black
20 car review
LOTUS EXIGE S
type 72
The Exige S
Type 72 is
a powerful
supercharged
mid-engined
sportscar that
is equally at
home on the
racetrack or
open road.
The Lotus Exige S Type 72 celebrates the
most successful F1 car of all time, the Lotus
Type 72 Formula One car, which achieved 20
Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975.
The Lotus Type 72 was driven by such
Lotus greats as Jochen Rindt, Emerson
Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx
and won three Formula One Constructors’
Championships (1970, 1972 and 1973) and
two Drivers’ World Championships (the first
being won by Jochen Rindt in 1970 and the
second by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972).
The colour scheme of the Exige S Type
72 commemorates the famous and easily
recognisable black and gold Lotus Type 72
livery and is finished by the same sign writer
who painted racing cars for Team Lotus.
Performance through light weight has
long been a Lotus philosophy. The 935kg
Exige S Type 72 sprints to 60 mph in just
4.5 seconds and to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds,
before reaching a top speed of 145 mph, 233
km/h. The Exige S Type 72 also offers class
leading fuel economy and emissions, with fuel
economy of 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) on
the Extra Urban Cycle and CO2 emissions of
199 g/km.
The Exige S Type 72 is a powerful
supercharged mid-engined sportscar that
is equally at home on the racetrack or open
road. The intercooled engine has VVTL-i
technology ensuring impressive performance
all the way to the rev limiter at 8500 rpm.
The Sport Pack comes as standard on
the Exige S Type 72 which has a bespoke
high quality interior, including black micro
fibre ProBax sports seats with gold stitching.
Each car comes with a special build plate
commemorating one of the F1 car’s 20 Grand
Prix victories. The exterior of the Exige S
Type 72 features unique black and gold light
weight wheels and is finished with handpainted gold Type 72 and Exige S logos, (the
Sport Pack also includes a T45 steel main roll
hoop, Lotus Traction Control, twin oil coolers
and an adjustable front anti-roll bar).
All Lotus cars offer outstanding
handling and performance, and the Exige
is no exception offering excellent dynamics
and great driver involvement. Lotus ride
and handling gives an inspiring driving
experience and the mid-engined layout of
the Lotus Exige S Type 72 offers fantastic
balance and agility.
Luke Bennett, Operations Director
for Lotus Cars Limited stated, “The Lotus
Exige S Type 72 is an evocative sportscar,
combining cutting edge handling and
performance with the iconic Type 72 colour
scheme, one of the most famous racing
liveries of all time. The Exige provides an
intense driving experience either on road or
track and this limited edition is a worthy car
to celebrate such a legendary racing car.”
Clive Chapman, Director of Classic
Team Lotus said, “The Type 72 was a very
significant car for Team Lotus and indeed
for the world of F1. It was a revolutionary
design that pioneered the use of side
mounted radiators to achieve its distinctive
car review 21
The Lotus
Type 72
design was
so advanced
that it was
competitive
for an
extraordinary
six years
’wedge’ profile, which delivered a significant
aerodynamic advantage. Furthermore, by
minimising unsprung weight and using
a torsion bar, rising rate suspension, tyre
performance was excellent. The Lotus Type
72 design was so advanced that it was
competitive for an extraordinary six years.”
The Exige S Type 72 options include:
Air Conditioning, Limited Slip Differential
and the Performance Pack, which includes a
power increase to 240 PS, larger AP Racing
brakes, enlarged roof scoop (compared to
the standard Exige S) and Lotus variable
traction control and Lotus launch control.
To commemorate the impressive
number of Grand Prix wins the Type 72
achieved, Lotus will be producing 20 of this
special edition for the UK, a further 20 cars
for mainland Europe and there will be a
limited run of cars in Japan and selected
markets around the world.
Lotus Exige S Type 72 prices:
UK Price: £35,995 MRSP, excluding on the
road costs of £950
Euro zone price: €40,332, including delivery
and other on the road costs, excluding local
country tax.
Exige S:
199 g/km CO2 8.5 l/100 km (33.2 mpg)
Combined Cycle 11.9 l/100 km (23.7 mpg)
Urban Cycle 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg)
Extra Urban Cycle
22 tips
AGAINST CAR THEFT
safety & security tips
Do not leave anything valuable exposed
(laptops, handbags, handphones, jewelry,
etc) in the car (passenger or rear seats,
dashboard, centre console, etc) even when
you are driving. If you need to place it on the
passenger seat next to you while driving, at
least cover it up with magazines, newspapers,
a plastic bag or other items available in the
car. The best is to place it on the floor of the
vehicle and away from prying eyes.
When leaving the vehicle parked or
unattended, never ever leave valuable
belongings in the car whether exposed or
not. It might be pain to carry that laptop to
lunch but better the slight inconvenience
than returning to the car to not only find it
missing, but your window smashed which
will evidently cost you a couple of hundred
ringgit to replace.
Don’t invite or tempt thieves to break into
your vehicle by exposing a briefcase or bag
that may only contain unimportant contents.
Why take the risk and end up having to pay
to replace a broken window.
Never leave the car with the keys in the
ignition unattended. The worst case scenario
is that the thieves may take off with the
entire vehicle.
As a precaution, make sure you lock your
car as soon as you get into the vehicle.
When stopped, keep an eye out for
suspicious motorcyclists who tend to look into
your vehicle.
It might be a good idea to tint your
vehicle (according to what the law permits)
to hide as much as you can from prying eyes
outside the vehicle. Security tints that are
today widely available in the market will
also prevent the windows from being easily
smashed.
away with your laptop or handbag, DO NOT
give chase as this will only endanger your life
and those of other road users. Head for the
nearest police station or stop a next police
patrol car you see for assistance.
Personal safety devices such as a pepper
spray that can be easily bought off the shelf
is an item one should consider keeping
handy. Spray at the attacker’s face and it will
incapacitate him giving you a few precious
seconds to run or repel the attack.
When driving at night and the
vehicle comes to a halt, stay alert of your
surroundings by constantly looking at the
rear view mirror and side mirrors of your
vehicle. Make sure your car doors are locked
and be prepared to accelerate away from
threats.
In the event the worst does happen and
someone smashes your window and gets
In the event you’re driving and someone
points out to you to stop due to a puncture
or suspected problem with the vehicle, find
a crowded public place to pull over. In the
event something does happen, you are in the
company of others who may come to your aid.
Thieves have been known to use such tactics
to get their victims to abruptly stop their
vehicle.
If an egg or something that obstructs
your vision is thrown on the vehicle
windscreen while you’re driving, don’t
panic. Turn on the wipers and activate the
windscreen washers quickly before finding
the nearest crowded public place to pull over.
This is also a common tactic used by thieves
to force a vehicle to come to a stop.
NAZA GROUP
targets vehicle sales to hit
25,970 units in 2010
The Naza Group, the official distributor of
Kia and Peugeot vehicles in Malaysia , is
targeting to sell 25,970 units next year.
“2010 will be an exciting year for the
Naza Group. We will be launching several
Kia and Peugeot models that will appeal to
all segments of the market.
“Additionally, the domestic economy is
expected to return to growth in 2010, which
will be an added boost to our business and
the overall automotive industry,” said SM
Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin, Joint Executive
Chairman of the Naza Group.
The group’s sales target of 25,970 units
for next year is expected to comprise 22,000
Kia vehicles, 2,930 Peugeot vehicles and
1,040 units of the Forza.
For the Kia brand in 2010, the Naza
Group is aiming to launch four new models
which will include a recreational vehicle in
the first half of the year.
These new models, along with the
Forte, which was launched in late November
this year, are expected to propel the Kia
brand to new heights next year.
“The overwhelming demand we’ve
already received for the Forte since its launch
is a good indication of where the Kia brand is
headed in the coming 12 months.
“The Forte is an example of Kia’s
commitment to producing youthful and
dynamic cars with premium quality and
this will be further evident in the four new
models we intend to launch next year,” SM
Nasarudin said.
As for the Peugeot brand, which won
several local awards this year, the Naza
Group will launch four new models in 2010
including an entry-level model, codenamed
T33; will be produced at the group’s plant in
Gurun.
“When we took over the Peugeot
franchise in January 2008, we promised
to make the Peugeot brand a success in
Malaysia and the eight awards we won this
year, including two Overall Car of the Year
awards, is a testament to our efforts.
“But we aren’t resting on our laurels
just yet. We have an exciting year ahead
with four new models to be launched,” SM
Nasarudin said.
On the export front, the Naza Group
expects demand for its Kia and Peugeot
vehicles in markets such as Indonesia and
Thailand to increase. At present, the group
exports the Picanto and the Pregio van to
Indonesia and the Peugeot 308 and 407
models to Thailand .
Going forward, the group intends to
expand its range of Kia vehicles being
exported to Indonesia while it has plans to
export the T33 model to the major markets
in Asean once the car is commercially
launched in the second half of 2010.
23
24 motorsport
the otomotif college appoints
ALEX YOONG AS BRAND
AMBASSADOR
The Otomotif College (TOC) has appointed
Alex Yoong, Malaysia ’s motorsports icon,
as their brand ambassador for the next 12
months, to help further develop the local
motorsports industry and also promote
its specialties and offerings in the said
industry.
TOC, established in 2005, has fast
become a specialist provider of technical
and management courses in automotive for
individuals seeking careers in the exciting
and rewarding automotive industry,
“Our government’s efforts to raise
Malaysia as a global player in motorsports
has brought in foreign investors and
tourists and we can expect this to increase
tremendously when our own Malaysian
Lotus F1 Team takes centre stage next
year,” said Ms Adelaine Foo, Chief
Executive Officer of The Otomotif College.
“The same goes to the other motoring
sports which has gained momentum
especially amongst the younger generation.
On this note, allow me to congratulate the
Motorsports Association of Malaysia under
the helm of Mr Mia Sharizman Ismail,
Chief Executive Officer, for their tireless
efforts in promoting the various motoring
events in the country.
“This morning’s collaboration with Alex
aims to sustain the interest of especially
youth’s, on this very exciting and promising
career as motorsports engineers. Being a
veteran in the motorsports industry, we
believe that Alex is the best person to hoist
the TOC flag as its Brand Ambassador,”
she added.
TOC was founded with the vision of
empowering people to take pride in the
automotive profession. It is achieved
through the delivery of practical and
recognised qualifications, strategic
alliance with the automotive industry and
consistency in maintaining a high level of
teaching standards.
“With the motorsports industry
becoming more technically sophisticated,
we need nothing less than an educational
revolution to instill a new performance
culture into this industry. There is a need
to nurture a new kind of human capital
that is equal to the tasks and challenges
ahead.
“At TOC, we are committed to provide
a strong and correct foundation to our
students. We inculcate them with the
correct attitude for this career right
from the start. We want to train them
to look at the automotive industry more
professionally, and benchmark their quality
of service and competency to that of Japan
and Germany ,” she added.
TOC provides world class automotive
learning facilities with experienced and
passionate teaching team offering a wealth
of knowledge and experiences to their
students.
“The college has been appointed as
Citroen’s training centre for the ASEAN
region and also Hong Kong , and we hope
to establish more partnerships with the
industry by the first quarter of 2010.
“I sincerely hope that our collaboration
with Alex will help the nation to produce
more local motorsports professionals,
who will chart the future of Malaysia ’s
motorsports industry,” said Ms. Foo.
For the next few weeks, Alex will be
joining us in various activities scheduled
to take place next year to encourage more
youth to not just look at this career as
being merely mechanics, but more as a
profession that requires high discipline,
knowledge and competency.
motorsport 25
A1 TEAM MALAYSIA
MECHANICS
gain sportscar build experience
A trio of A1 Team Malaysia mechanics
are gaining valuable race car building
experience during the traditional
motorsport ‘off-season’, with secondment
to the world’s leading manufacturer of
customer racing cars, Lola Cars.
Shanker Ramachandran, Hairul
Ezwan and Mickey Webb have joined
the assembly department of Lola’s
sportscar division, to assist with the
build programme of new cars ordered by
customers for the 2010 season.
During the next three months the A1
Team Malaysia mechanics will expand
their knowledge of race car manufacturing
with their hands-on experience of working
at one of the best chassis builders in
the sport. The current project for the
mechanics is an LMP1 Coupe with the
three based in the assembly shop alongside
the Lola staff, working on the build of this
highly successful model, the 16th example
of the Coupe version to be produced by
the company. It will be delivered to the
customer early in the New Year.
Ramachandran says of his time at
Lola, “I feel very privileged to have been
given the opportunity to learn a new
facet of motorsport mechanics. We’re
right at the beginning of the lifecycle of a
sports car, bringing together the various
components to create the finished product,
working alongside the Lola engineers/staff
on this great LMP1 race car. I’m enjoying
the new challenges which this is bringing
and gaining experience at the sharp end of
race car manufacturer; it’s excellent.”
Ezwan adds, “It is a great insight into
the production of a sports racing car. At A1
Team Malaysia we worked on cars, which
had left the factory, but here we’re right at
the heart of the process of creating a car.
Lola has excellent, world-class facilities,
the most experienced technicians in every
department and an unrivalled build
quality. Working with such professional
people and a very prestigious, advanced
technology sportscar has given me a
unique opportunity, I’m very grateful
to Lola and A1 Team Malaysia for this
experience. “
Lola Cars Managing Director Robin
Brundle ensured the trio were offered
a warm welcome at Huntingdon and
commented: “This collaboration between
Lola and A1 Team Malaysia has seen a
beneficial partnership on a practical level
for both parties. The guys have integrated
superbly with our engineers here and have
quickly become popular team members.”
A1 Team Malaysia Chief Executive,
Jack Cunningham, says of his mechanics,
“In the absence of A1GP we wanted
to be able to maintain a continuity of
training for our personnel. I would like to
thank Lola for giving our three guys the
opportunity to be part of the build team
for their range of customer racing cars. I
know that they are enjoying every minute
of the experience, and I hope that they are
proving as valuable to Lola as they are to
us.”
26 tips
YOUNG/NEW DRIVER AT
THE WHEEL
All drivers have to start from the bottom.
The more driving time you clock, the more
confidence you build up and the more
driving skills you pick up as you become a
more experience motorist. There is simply
no shortcut to becoming a good and more
importantly, safe driver.
With this said, take your time to learn
and always apply what you have learnt
prior to being entitled to your driver’s
licence and earning the right to join the
motoring population.
Driving comes with a huge
responsibility and with any reckless
behaviour, severe consequences. At all
times, you have a responsibility not only to
safeguard yourself, but to also ensure the
safety of other road users.
TIPS FOR TEENAGE DRIVERS
Remember what you have been taught
especially the traffic regulations. Always
keep in mind what you learnt at the driving
school, the do’s and don’ts, and the long list
of traffic regulations you had to first pass
before entitling you to your driver’s licence.
These regulations exist for you’re your own
safety and that of others.
Know your limits. As a new driver you
should be aware of your driving capability
and limits. Building your confidence on
the road takes time and experience. Do not
become overzealous and take unnecessary
risks that will endanger not only you but
the lives of other road users.
Don’t listen to friends - stick to the
rules and regulations. You should never
subject yourself to intimidation and peer
pressure at the wheel. Drive within your
limits and according to the traffic rules
and regulations. Remember that you are
the driver and you have a responsibility to
keep not only yourself safe, but ensure the
safety of your passengers and that of other
road users. Remember, you are not out to
impress anyone but get to your destination
safely.
Keep your cool. Do not be coaxed or
intimidated into driving recklessly by other
drivers. When being tailgated, yield and let
other pass. Be patient, stay calm and do not
be tempted into verbally abusing other road
users or making improper hand gestures
that could easily trigger confrontation.
Keep your hands on the wheel and
your eyes on the road. This is a pre-requisite
at all times. Do not allow yourself to become
distracted.
Keep your distance. Increase space and
following distances. Do not tailgate.
Honing your skills at anticipating. With
more driving tiem and experience on the
road, try to hone your skills at anticipating
what others may do on the road. Try to
identify potential hazards and dangerous
situations as this will give you more time to
react appropriately.
motorsport 27
POTENTIALLY RACE-WINNING
PROTON IN THE MAKING
Satria Neo Super
2000 rose from a
disastrous debut in
2009 to becoming
the talk of the
international rally
community
I’ll be the first to admit that I had probably
underrated the Proton Satria Neo Super
2000 rally car. A short 2km drive in the car
with Scottish rally driver Alister McRae
quickly convinced of the car’s phenomenal
performance and the huge potential it has
to win rallies.
“I’ve never driven a car that is just so
nimble around corners. This car has a huge
potential and with further developments
currently being made to the engine, we
are looking forward to a successful year,”
McRae had told a Press Conference just
minutes prior to taking members of the
media on a rally experience. McRae is
the brother of world rally champion Colin
McRae who died in a helicopter accident
in 2007.
Mcrae was precisely right and the
Satria NEO Super 2000 was indeed
absolutely agile and nimble around the oil
palm plantation’s tight bends. Not only did
it have good power to accelerate the car
out of the bends at lightspeed, it also had
phenomenal levels of grip considering the
drive had taken place in the rain.
McRae had driven no where close
to 100 per cent during the media rally
experience, yet the pace was enough to give
journalists a rare insight into the enormous
potential the car had in becoming a rally
winner.
Going back a good 10 years of so, I
recall how the previous generation 1600cc
Satria had also proven it was competitive
enough to successfully complete the
grueling Safari Rally, which at that
time was regarded as the most difficult
and rough event on the World Rally
Championship calendar.
PROTON’s history in rallying
meanwhile, dates back to 1987 when then
distributors Edaran Otomobil Nasional
Berhad (EON) introduced the first 1.5-litre
Group A Proton Saga. The brave venture
subsequently led to the development
of 4WD turbocharged Proton Saga, the
4WD turbocharged Proton Wira and 4WD
turbocharged Proton PERT which over
the years won three Asia Pacific Rally
Championship and one Production Car
World Rally Championship Driver’s titles.
28 motorsport
satria neo super 2000 was indeed absolutely agile
By virtue of its dimensions and design
as a hot-hatch, the Satria Neo certainly
has the correct basic proportions required
of a competitive competition vehicle. Let us
however, be very clear with one fact - this
car does not run on the 1600cc CAMPRO
engine, but a re-engineered 1800cc Renault
engine I am told is similar to the one that
had once been fitted to the Proton Waja.
Over the last one year, the car had
certainly aroused plenty of curiosity within
the international rally arena from both
teams and spectators given the fact that
in the company of Subaru, Ford, Peugeot,
Citroen, Skoda and other prestigious
marques, PROTON outside of Asia Pacific,
is still almost unheard of.
The Satria Neo Super 2000 went
through a baptism of fire – knocked out of
contention by a series of technical problems
in the first few rallies in 2009 – but was
successfully developed at lightning speed
by Mellors Elliot Motorsports (MEM) so
much so allowing it to respond to critics by
powering to a second overall finish at the
Rally of Scotland in what was to be only its
third event of the year.
“With significant work currently being
done to the engine, we are confident that
we will be able to unlock the car’s full
potential in time for the new season,” said
McRae.
The Satria Neo Super 2000 with the
combination of Mcrae and his co-driver
Bill Hayes are due to compete in the 2010
Asia Pacific Rally Championship, selected
rounds of the Intercontinental Rally
Championship, and the Middle East Rally
Championship.
For PROTON, trophies and wins
will speak volumes about the brand and
model both abroad and domestically, but
ultimately, the goal will be to sell more cars
and create an even bigger presence abroad
especially in the markets it exports to.
While motorsports by tradition has
been successfully used as a launching pad
by car manufacturers, the real challenge for
PROTON will be to ensure that products
like the Satria Neo will eventually live up
to the fierce reputation it has built on the
rallying circuit.
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
SATRIA NEO SUPER 2000
Length: 3905mm
Width: 1800mm
Wheelbase: 2440mm
Weight: 1150kg (tarmac), 1200kg
(gravel)
Engine: 4-cylinder, 16-valve, normallyaspirated
Capacity: 1998cc
Maximum power: 278bhp
Maximum torque: 200 lb ft @
7000rpm
Clutch: Alcon
Gearbox: Xtrac “532” 4WD Super
2000 6-speed sequential
Brakes: Alcon
Steering: Rack and pinion power
assisted
Suspension: Dynamics
Wheels: Speedline
AAM provides you the opportunity to take care
of your family’s financial wellbeing
Megapal PA is available when you apply for AAM membership.
With an annual fee of just RM25, Megapal PA helps
provide financial security to your loved ones in case an
accident happens to you.
•up to RM50,000 for personal accident
•up to RM500 accident medical reimbursement
•RM500 for snatch theft
•RM5,000 bereavement benefit
The above coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions
For more info, please contact AAM at 03-2162 0216/6915 or
walk in to your nearest AAM office.
Insurance is provided by:
AIG General Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad
795492-W
motorsport 29
F1 Driver Jarno Trulli
Sits In His First Lotus
F1 driver Jarno Trulli straight from being
announced as driver for Lotus F1 Racing
in Malaysia made the trip to the home
of Lotus at Hethel in England , visiting
where Lotus history was made.
It was an exciting day, with Jarno
enjoying a visit to the production
facilities, meeting Lotus staff and driving
the new Lotus Evora – the first Lotus he
has ever driven!
Jarno was also given a special tour
of the Classic Team Lotus workshops by
Clive Chapman, son of Lotus founder
Colin Chapman. During the visit to
Classic Team Lotus Jarno viewed some of
the most successful and iconic F1 racing
cars of all time. The tour was steeped
in Lotus heritage and included some of
the F1 cars that helped Lotus to achieve
79 GP wins, seven constructor’s titles
and 6 drivers’ championships, including,
Emerson Fittipaldi’s Type 72, Graham
Hill’s Type 49 and Jim Clark’s Type 25.
Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus
plc said, “The family gets bigger with
the arrival of Jarno. It was very special
to host Jarno at Group Lotus, he is an
exceptional driving talent and we wish
him and Lotus F1 Racing every success
for the 2010 F1 season.”
Dany Bahar continued, “We take
great pride in the sports cars that we
produce at Hethel and Jarno’s visit
provided a great opportunity to show
off the multi-award winning cars that
we produce and the advanced niche
production facilities at Hethel.”
Jarno had a fantastic time driving
the Lotus Evora and visiting the home
of the iconic Lotus marque, commenting,
“Gino Rosato and I come from the same
region of Italy , Abruzzo, we have been
close friends for years and it was always
a dream of ours to work together. Claudio
Berro and Dany Bahar are also old
friends and I honestly never thought that
I would get the opportunity to work with
these great people.”
He went on to say,” It was a great
occasion and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing
all the fantastic Classic Lotus F1 cars
and new Lotus models. The facilities
at Group Lotus are very impressive
and I was amazed at the dedication
and craftsmanship that goes into the
production of Lotus cars. The Lotus
Evora lived up to all my expectations
of what a Lotus would be like to drive.
It is clearly a very well engineered car
that provides an exceptionally rewarding
drive and I am looking forward to Lotus’
exciting future.”
30 news
IN-CAR HAZARDS
Everyday harmless objects
left unsecured and to
hibernate in the vehicle
can turn into deadly
projectiles in the event of
an accident.
This is a fact and
worldwide crash
investigations have
revealed that even
smallest of objects
unsecured in your car can
become life threatening
missiles. The higher the
speeds you’re driving at,
the greater the impact, the
more lethal it can become.
In the United States, a
one-year-old child traveling in the family
car cracked his skull, requiring 10 days
in intensive care, after being hit directly
in the head by a flying mobile phone.
Elsewhere in Australia, two children
were crushed by unsecured computer
equipment in the back of a station wagon.
In the United
Kingdom, a couple was
crushed to death by
unsecured suitcases
and not because of the
car collision.
Here are a few tips
to ensure you in-cabin
safety:
•
Always make
sure you and your
occupants have your
seat belts fastened.
•
Remove
all items (pillows,
cushions, hats, etc)
from the vehicle’s rear
parcel shelf as it not only obstructs
visibility but is a perfect height for
launching projectiles
• Remove all loose items from the car
or secure them safely in the trunk/
boot. Loose items in the car can be
turned into dangerous missiles and
hit the occupants in the event of an
emergency braking situation
• Do not keep items like used plastic
bottles or spare shoes under the driver
seat as in the event of an emergency,
these items may be thrown forward
and become dislodged under the
pedals
• If you have pets in the car while
driving, they need to be secured
Common items that can become
potentially dangerous inside a vehicle:
• Handbags and briefcases
• Laptops
• Smart tag device
• Mobile phones, ipods, portable dvd
players
• Pets
• Umbrellas, tissue boxes
• First aid kits
• Shopping bags
• Suitcases and luggage
• Groceries
• Children’s toys
AAM Accident Guard
Completes your Motor Insurance Coverage
Pemium from as low as RM0.16 a day!
• Daily Cash Allowance
(when your car is in the workshop)
• Spray Painting of Whole Car
(not just the damaged part)
• Waiver of Betterment Cost
(replacement with new parts borne by insurer)
*Subject to Policy Terms & Conditions
Call us now at:
03-2162 0216
For your Peace of Mind! or
Walk-in to any AAM branch for more information
AAM Accident Guard is provided by:
AIG General Insurance (Malaysia) Berhad
(795492-W)
news 31
N
I
T
N
O
C
S
DI
N
O
I
T
UA
OF PROTON XCHANGE PROGRAM
PROTON Holdings Berhad confirms
that its car scrapping program - the
PROTON Xchange Program - has been
discontinued.
The program, which was partly
funded by the Government via the
Economic Stimulus Plan announced
in March this year, was introduced to
stimulate car sales and reduce carbon
emission. Under the program, a discount
of RM5,000 are given to car owners, who
trade in their cars, which are at least 10
years old, for the purchase of new Proton
cars. The scheme was to run until 31
December 2009 or until the funds have
been fully used up.
However, due to the overwhelming
response from the public, PROTON had
received a total of 25,862 applications
from March 10 to October 31st,
exhausting the funds provided by the
Stimulus Plan even before the given yearend period. Mid November this year, YB
Dato’ Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Minister
of Finance had announced in Parliament
that the program has been discontinued
with effect from Nov 1st 2009.
Nevertheless, PROTON would like
to thank the Government of Malaysia
for the incentive which was evidently,
very well received by our customers
nationwide and had assisted our
domestic car sales.
At the same time, PROTON would
like to apologise to all its customers
who have recently turned up at our
sales outlets for the Xchange Program
only to be disappointed with news on
the discontinuation of the program. We
regret to inform that only applications
that reached our regional offices on
or before 31st of October 2009 will be
processed accordingly for the rebate
vouchers.
According to our records, PROTON
had received a total of 7,539 applications
from the 1st to 6th of November 2009,
when we took the initiative to stop the
program realizing that all the funding
given has all been used up.
However, in appreciation of the
support and enthusiasm shown by
these customers in owning a Proton
car, PROTON has come up with a
special incentive scheme to the said
7,539 applicants. The said applicants
include customers who have retracted
their applications submitted during
the said period. These customers are
advised to contact the same outlets they
have been dealing with to make further
arrangements, to enable them to enjoy
the incentive scheme.
As this initiative is not part of the
Xchange Program, the said customers
do not have to surrender their old cars
in order to enjoy the special scheme.
However, should the customers wish
to proceed to sell-off their old cars,
PROTON will provide the necessary
assistance in making arrangements with
second-hand car dealers.
PROTON would like to highlight
however, that while this scheme is
applicable to the purchases of any Proton
cars, the cars must be registered by the
31st of January 2010.
Concurrently, all new buyers may
enjoy many other great savings and
promotions offered by our marketing
arm, Proton Edar Sdn Bhd. This includes
the RM10,000 savings offered for
purchases of the Perdana model and up
to RM4,000 savings on Savvy purchases.
There are also many other year-end
promotions for our customers to enjoy
such as the Drive for Holidays campaign.
32 tips
tips
tips 33
34 savemart
AAM WINDBREAKER JACKET
BLUOXY + NANODOR
PAD
Price
E.M :RM 99.00
W.M :RM 99.00
Price
E.M :RM 45.00
W.M :RM 45.00
DYNO-TAB
Boosts Fuel Savings & Engine
Power
It is the most effective and cost efficient
fuel treatment that helps to improve
and enhance the performance of
all fuel – diesel, petrol, bio-fuel and
ethanol. Contains an octane booster
and combustion catalyst that helps to
burn fuel more efficiently and provides
up to 12%* kilometers.
• Contains 100% active ingredients.
• Dissolves completely in your fuel
tank.
• No impurities, so no worries about
long-term engine wear.
• Will never clog fuel filters.
• Extends spark plug life.
• Will not damage catalytic converters.
• Helps reduce carbon deposits.
• Proven successful since 1998.
*At Asian trials
Price
E.M :RM 21.90
W.M :RM 19.90
WURTH – RAPID
WINDSCREEN
CLEANER 32ML
DYNO-TAB OCTANE
BOOSTER
Contains with special cleaning substances.
Your advantage:
Highly concentrated The World’s Most
Efficient Lubricant Prevents streaking
- Removes reflective and lubricating films
- Ensure a crystal-clear view
- Removes stuck-on insects and other
soiling
Very good material compatibility.
Your advantage:
- Polycarbonates glass is not attacked
- Gentle on paint and rubber
Price
E.M :RM 8.00
W.M :RM 8.00
Price
E.M :RM 16.00
W.M :RM 16.00
TUFOIL ENGINE TREATMENT
- CONCENTRATED
Highly concentrated windscreen cleaner
1:100
User-friendly 1:100 concentrate
Your advantage:
- 32 ml make 2.5 – 3 L washer fluid
(For cars with up to 3 L wash water
volume)
AAM SHOE BAG
Price
E.M :RM 24.50
W.M :RM 24.50
HIGHLY CONCENTRATED THE WORLD’S MOST EFFICIENT
LUBRICANT
Tufoil Engine Treatment is the standard
for lubrication effectiveness, utilizes a
complex formula that has never been
duplicated in another engine treatment.
This formula containing colloidal
‘polytetrafluoroethylene’ (PTFE)
and soluble molybdenum produces
lubricants that adheres to internal
engine surfaces thereby achieving very
low friction and wear characteristics.
However, PTFE and moly cannot just
be stirred into motor oil to make a
satisfactory lubricant. The colloidal
suspension technology is highly
sophisticated. Tufoil is the leader
in this technology – with patented
chemistry and PTFE particles so small
that cannot clog oil filters, clump or
settle in the oil pan.
UFOIL ENGINE TREATMENT
Make Engines:
- Last longer
- Run Cooler
- Start Easier
- Run Smoother
- Save Fuel
- Produce More Power
Price
E.M :RM 59.00
W.M :RM 57.00
savemart 35
THE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF MALAYSIA
WURTH - SILICON
SPRAY 500ML
Silicone Spray – Provides long lasting protection, preservation and
insulation with excellent gliding effect for plastic, rubber and metal
parts on inside and outside of vehicle.
• Gives plastic parts (e.g. bumpers, radiator grill, spoilers, protective
strips, vinyl car roofs, etc.) a high gloss and prevents them from
cracking.
• Rubber parts (e.g. rubber door and hood seals, rubber buffers,
impact strip, radiator hoses, car tires, etc.) are protected, do not
become brittle and do not freeze or stick.
• Impregnates folding roofs and convertible tops.
• Antistatic effect (repels dust).
• Protects electrical contacts against moisture.
• Sliding-roof and seat rails, safety belt rollers, etc. run smoothly.
• Prevent squeaking and creaking noises between different materials,
e.g. metal and plastic etc.
• Serves as an installation aid, e.g. for hose connections.
• Does not stain.
Price
E.M :RM 59.00
W.M :RM 59.00
TURTLEWAX - ZIP WAX
CAR WASH SHAMPOO
Block E-7-4 Megan Avenue 1, 189 Jln Tun Razak 50400 Kuala Lumpur
(To avoid duplication. please do not send in your order if you have already sent by fax)
Order by fax: 03-2162 7458 Inquiry: 03-2162 5777 (Marketing Dept)
MAIL ODER FORM
W/M E/M W/M
PRICEPRICEDEL
COST
NO QTY ITEM
RM RM
E/M
DEL
COST
RM
RM
1
7.00
9.00
AAM-A1 SHIRT
MALE – 110.00
FEMALE – 100.00
2
BLUOXY + NANODOR PAD
99.00 7.00
9.00
3
AAM-FIPCOM FIRE EXTINGUISHER
59.90 7.00
10.00
4
SIZE
AAM WINDBREAKER JACKET
45.00 7.00
9.00
AAM SHOE BAG
16.00 7.00
9.00
10.00
M
5
L
XL
6
WURTH SILICON SPRAY 500ML
59.00 7.00
7
WURTH RAPID WINDSCREEN CLEANER 32ML
8.00 3.50
5.00
8
TUFOIL ENGINE TREATMENT
7.00
9.00
10.00
57.00 59.00
9
ZIP WAX CAR WASH
20.30 21.30
7.00
10
DYNO-TAB HALF GRAM (6 x 0.5 GRAM) 19.90 21.90
3.50
5.00
11
DYNO-TAB (OCTANE BOOSTER)
24.50 24.50 3.50
5.00
Foams Instantly in Hard and Soft Water
• Won’t Strip Wax
• Leaves No Spots
• Non-Streak Formula
• Safe For All Car Finishes
• 40 Sparkling Washes
Also great for use around the house and
patio…fiberglass awning, garage floors, walls,
windows, metal doors, decks, aluminum and vinyl
siding, charcoal grills, sporting gear, fiberglass
boats and many more.
Super Sudsing Action
40FL. OZ. (1 QT. 8 OZ.) 1.18L
Price
E.M :RM 21.30
W.M :RM 20.30
PARTICULARS
Name:
Membership No:
Delivery Address
Tel: (H) (O)
Mobile
THIS CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO A COOLING-OFF
PERIOD OF 14 WORKING DAYS
PAYMENT ADVICE
Enclosed is a cheque/draft/money order no:
AAM – FIPCOM FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
AEROSOL DRY POWER EXTINGUISHER
• Net Weight: 500Grams
• Easy to use, just aim and press
• Simple to install. Just peel and stick on wall or seat
• Compact, light and highly mobile
• Ideal for the home, office and motor vehicle
• Non-toxic, environment-friendly and safe to handle
• Multi purpose, works on all common household and car
engine fires
• Maintenance-free, four-year warranty and no yearly
inspection require
• Complies with British, United States, Australian fire test,
SIRIM tested & BOMBA approved registered
• Stored Pressure, operating range (- 35 Celsius to + 70
Celsius)
One use only – Not refillable
Price
E.M :RM 59.90
W.M :RM 59.90
For RM
payable to “Automobile Association Of Malaysia” or “AAM”
Charge full amount to my credit/charge card
VISA
AMEX
MASTERCARD
DINERS
ACC. NO
CARD EXPIRY DATE
Purchaser’s Signature
Vendor’s Signature
Date of Order
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. Delivery will be made within 1 to 2 weeks from the acceptance of the orders.
2. Order is subject to stock availability.
3. Goods sold are not returnable
For more details, please log on to www.aam.org.my
36
talkback
This is the column for you.
Members are encouraged to send
in their comments, feedbacks
or opinion on AAM’s services,
activities or other motor issues.
Your participation is most welcome.
Please send your letters to:
The Editor, Drive Magazine,
The Automobile Association of
Malaysia,
Block E-7-4, Megan Avenue 1, 189
Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala
Lumpur.
Fax: 03-2162 5358 E-mail: mru@
aam.org.my
Please state your membership
number in your correspondence.
Letters must be signed and the
editor reserves the right to edit the
letters before publication.
SYABAS DAN TERIMA KASIH
From
To
: Zainal Abidin Zainuddin
: [email protected]
Tuan,
Saya ingin mengucapkan terima kasih kepada En Sufi dari AAM cawangan Seremban.
Pada 22/12/2009 lebih kurang jam 6.00 petang dalam perjalanan balik dari kerja isteri
saya telah menghadapi masalah dengan kereta. Dalam keadaan hujan lebat En sufi
telah memberikan bantuan dan memperbaiki masalah yang dihadapi oleh isteri saya.
Saya amat menghargai sikap dan komitment yang ditunjukkan.SYABAS.
ZAINAL ABIDIN ZAINUDDIN
Membership: 9802-P00097999
THANK YOU EN EZREE!
From
To
: Carrie ShuitHar
: [email protected]
Dear Sir/Madam,
Good Morning!
I am writing to you with pleasure, to thank En Ezree for his kind assistance last night.
DATE: 15/12/2009
TIME: 9.30 pm
VENUE: Jalan Serkut, Taman Pertama Cheras
He was very friendly and efficient in helping me restart my stalled car and offered some advice in car-care. Even thought it
started raining agaain when he was done with my car, he did not rush through the forms but continued smiling and chatting with
us.
I would like to extend my utmost thanks to him and whishing him a Happy 2010!
Thanks, En Ezree! You really showed us that “service with a Smile” and total Customer Satisfaction” is still alive in Malaysia!
Regards,
Carrie Anne Long
WHP 3376, Kancil 850 Gold
37
KEEPING ILLITERATE
MOTORISTS OFF THE ROAD
The Driver and Licensing Authority In
Ghana recently stressed that people
who could not read and write should
not be granted a driving licence as they
would become a safety hazard on the
road.
As funny as it sounds, illiteracy
and driving or riding a motorcycle
on the road for that matter, may not
necessarily be restricted to countries
like Ghana. The concern is do we have a
similar problem here in Malaysia?
In a situation that may be closely
related to illiteracy, we often see children
getting behind the wheel of a car and
riding a motorcycle (obviously without a
valid driving licence).
It’s not a question of whether they
can handle the vehicle, but more of
whether they truly understand the
rules of the road ie: the various traffic
signages, stopping at a junction, stopping
at a roundabout, who has the right of
way, what the amber lights of a traffic
light signify, the etiquette when passing
a school or even the meaning of a
double-line.
A motor vehicle is not a toy and
neither can you equate riding a 150cc
scooter to a BMX bicycle.
These underaged motorists may be
straight “A” students in school, but as
far as the law is concerned, they are
illiterate until they have earned their
right of passage by becoming a licensed
motorist.
privileges
For further information, pls log on www.aam.org.my

50% off 10% less
FOR FISH SPA
THAN REGULAR PROMOTION RATE
FISHO FISH SPA
HERITAGE HOTEL
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T: 03-5631 9257/5631 9251
F: 03 5630 1848
Email: [email protected]
20% off
ON ALL SPA PACKAGES
JOJOBA SPA
l Terms & conditions apply for all spa
packages.
l Not redeemable together with JojoBa
membership card, discount voucher, & all other
promotions.
l Advance booking is required
l Compulsory present AAM card/cut off
voucher upon check in.
2 Days / 1 Night stay in a Superior room
in Heritage Hotel Ipoh
RM 216.00 nett for a single/twin room
Breakfast for 2 persons
International Buffet dinner for 2 persons
Not applicable during eve & Public
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FORSUBSCRIPTION
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Fax: 03-2161 7109
Email: [email protected]
38 tips
spring
CLEANING
EXTERIOR CLEANING
Give the car a good washing.
Check the condition of the paint
and make note of any scratches,
abrasions, dents or stone chips.
With friendly and convenient
neighbourhood car wash mushrooming all
over the country, spring cleaning – well
at least for the non-car enthusiasts – is
a thing of the past. In fact it has never
been easier, and for just under RM10,
it’ll include a nice scrub, snow wash,
vacuuming and tyre polish.
But honestly, if you can spare the
time, do it yourself. Taking your time,
rather than a 15-minute express wash,
will also enable you to spot unseen
scratches and dents, discoloration on
the paint work, things that may require
repairs or replacement, and pick up every
grain of sand from in the car. If you’re
only willing and prepared to get down
and dirty yourself once a year, it’s now
January and the New Year is still young,
making it the perfect time to get it done.
Cleaning or tending to the car is
tedious work. Nobody said that it’ll be
a walk in the park – so take your time.
For car enthusiasts, the experience of
washing and cleaning one’s own car can
in fact and is reportedly believed to yield
therapeutic benefits. Go ahead, talk to
your car, we understand.
When it comes to polishing and
waxing the vehicle however, one has
to admit, requires a great degree of
patience, skill and stamina. Patience
because it can take up to two long hours,
stamina because you’re arms will start
aching and you’ll sweat, and skill because
if you do it wrongly it will leave very
visible blemishes and polishing marks
on the vehicle which will turn into
an eyesore. From anything as low as
RM40, this is something best left to the
professionals.
What is a fact though, is the more
you attend to the cleanliness and general
upkeep of the vehicle, the more pristine
it will remain 10 years from now. Like
wine, it can age very well.
Check for panel gaps for instance
where the bumper joins to the body of
the car to see if you need to have any
part of the car readjusted.
Wash the undercarriage of the car.
Use a high pressure spray if possible
to get rid of those layers of dirt and
oil stains. Use this opportunity to also
inspect for oil leaks, dents, rust or it
the exhaust system is damaged.
Get rid of all grease and dirt found
stuck to the car
Clean the wheels
Are there any water marks,
blemishes, cracks or stone chips on
the windscreen?
Replace worn or hardened wiper
blades
Check your tyre wear and tread
depth. Look out for cuts on the tyre
sidewalls.
Polish or wax your car to bring back
the shine and gloss in your paint job.
It is recommended that you do this
every three or six months.
If you have chrome parts on the car,
take your time to polish it to give it
back its shine
Look at the car’s logo/emblem. It is
worn out, discolored or damaged? If it
is you might want to have it replaced.
Check the headlight, indicator and
rear light housings. Is it cracked,
damaged or requires a replacement?
After cleaning, test all of the lighting
components (low beam, high beam,
headlights, turn signal lights, fog
lights, brake and third lights, reverse
lights and tail lights) to see if any of
the bulbs may require replacement
INTERIOR CLEANING
Wipe and vacuum every inch of the
cabin. Might be a good idea to use
some air freshener at the very end.
Clean or remove stains on the seats,
interior roof lining, door panels,
dashboard, parcel shelf etc
If you have a sagging interior
roof lining, it’s a good time to get
it repaired or replaced. It’s an
inexpensive job.
If your seat’s fabric is torn or
damaged, consider getting it repaired
or re-upholstered
If the floor carpet is too dirty to be
cleaned, best to have it replaced.
Alternatively, visit a car reupholstery show and see if they can
clean it for you.
Clean your car’s vinyl or leather with
special products to prevent it from
drying and cracking.
Remove all unwanted or unnecessary
items in the car. Loose or unsecured
items can become an in-car hazard
in times of emergency, and can
even contribute to irritating and
unwanted noises in the car.
Clean your windows inside and
out to improve visibility. You may
be required to have a professional
detailer remove all the water
marks, stains and blemishes on the
widscreen and windows.
Lubricate your locks and hinges.
Apply small amounts of petroleumbased lubricants, grease, etc to
hinges
Inspect all rubber linings and
weather strips on the car to check for
cracks or brittles
Clean the engine bay. Wiping with a
cloth is sufficient. Do not hose down
the engine compartment unless you
are absolutely sure of what you’re
doing as it may cause harm to the
engine. While you’re at it, check for
anything that looks suspicious and
may require replacing.
Top up your windscreen washer
reservoir, radiator water/coolant
level and check the engine fluid
levels (power steering and brake oils)
Check the spare tyre to be sure it is
properly inflated. Check if all your
tools are in the car.
Then
...
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to
En
ar u
s a ge f o r 1
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You
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y
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Free Usage Of Car Maximum 10 days
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03 2162 5777
AAM Insurance Department or walk in to any
of the nearest AAM offices nationwide
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RENEW-BY-ONLINE PAYMENT:
Please fax/mail this form to:
Automobile Association of Malaysia
BlockE-7-4, Megan Avenue1, 189,
Jln Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2162 5777 Fax: 2162 5358
or send in instruction for continous renewal
03-2161 8252
CONVENIENCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
RENEW-BY-PHONE CALL:
ORDINARY MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO
CONVERT TO A1 OR SHAPE CARDS
“SAFETY, SECURITY,
ONE STOP
CONVENIENCE AND
AROUND THE CLOCK
PROTECTION ON
THE ROAD WITH
AAM SHAPE LADY’S
CARD & A1 TEAM.
MALAYSIA CARDS.”
FREE
Car Registration No
Please charge to my credit/charge card
Amex
Diners
(Made payable to Automobile Association of Malaysia or AAM)
Exp Date:
Road Tax Expiry Date
PAYMENT ADVICE (Please tick where applicable)
I submit cash payment of RM
I enclosed cheque/P.O. No
Driving Licence No 1.
2.
3.
4.
GRAND TOTAL
BluOxy+Nanodor Pad
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Visa
of RM
Individual Plan
Family Plan
*NOTE : If you wish to convert within any ate membership stated,
the conversion fee will be RM10 Additional RM50,000 PA COVERAGE
First 2 cars registration are Free, please indicate you car details
in the vehicle and driving licnese particular update
MEGAPAL PA COVERAGE OPTIONAL)
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL CAR (max 2 cars)
AAMBasic Card
BASIC MEMBERSHIP
Driver’s Supplementry
1. Drivers Name
Vehicle No1:
2:
1. Drivers Name
Vehicle No1:
3:
Child Supplementry
Child’s Name
(D.O.B)
Child’s Name
(D.O.B.)
RM50
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM50
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM50
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM50
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM100
RM50
Mastercard
Make / Model/ Year
RM58
RM10
RM10
RM58
RM25
RM50
RM50
(x ..........)
cars
RM25
RM50
RM30
(x ..........)
cars
RM200
RM100
RM200
RM100
RM100
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM100
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM58
RM10
RM50
RM100
RM60
(x ..........)
cars
RM58
RM10
RM50
RM100
RM100
(x ..........)
cars
ORDINARY
RM58
RM10
RM75
RM150
RM90
(x ..........)
cars
RM195
(x ..........)
cars
RM90
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM90
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM195
RM90
Exp Date:
RM58
RM10
RM75
RM150
RM150
(x ..........)
cars
RM150
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM150
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM300
RM150
3Yrs
A1
/
RM58
RM10
RM75
RM150
RM150
(x ..........)
cars
RM150
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM150
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM300
RM150
SHAPE
Card holder’s Signature
Date:
I declare that the above information given is true and correct, and this application is subject to the
Association’s rules and regulations.
MEMBER ACCEPTANCE
Yes CREDIT CARD CONTINOUS AUTHORITY
No To avoid membership from lapsing please charge the renewal fee to the credit/charge card indicated until advice in writing.
Card No:
RM58
RM10
RM50
RM100
RM100
(x ..........)
cars
RM130
(x ..........)
cars
RM60
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM60
RM100
RM100
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM130
RM60
Cardholder’s Name:
RM58
RM10
RM25
RM50
RM50
(x ..........)
cars
RM75
(x ..........)
cars
RM30
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM30
(x ..........)
person
RM
RM 75
RM30
SHAPE
2 Yrs
A1
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM
ORDINARY
RM100
RM50
SHAPE
Principal
Spouse Supplementry
Spouse’s Name:
A1
1 Yrs
ORDINARY
Membership Plans
MEMBERSHIP
TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP (Please select either A1 card, Shape card, or Ordinary card)
Name:
Membership No:
PARTICULAR
wherever you drive”
“TRUSTED TRAVEL COMPANION,
40
AAM helplines 41
MOTORSPORTS
AAM GENERAL LINE
CORPORATE OFFICE
AAM MOTORSPORTS SDN BHD
03-21625777
FAX
24-HOUR BREAKDOWN ASSISTANCE & BATTERY DELIVERY SERVICE
03-7710 9121
03-7710 0121
LUBE SERVICE APPOINTMENTS AND ENQUIRIES
TOLL FREE
1-800-88-0808
(24HRS)
PENANG
04-282 0996
KLANGVALLEY
03-2161 8901
(24HRS)
JOHOR BAHRU
07-222 6527
PENANG
04-281 7427
(24HRS)
SERDANG RAYA
03-8940 8136
IPOH
05-506 3846
(24HRS)
JOHOR BAHRU 07-226 7527
(24HRS)
SEREMBAN
06-764 4358
(24HRS)
KUCHING
082-340 808
(24HRS)
MELAKA
06-281 9476
(8AM-12AM)
OFFICE HOURS
KUANTAN
09-515 8600
(8AM-12AM)
OFFICE
K.TERENGGANU
09624 1898
(8AM-12AM)
SAT
SUN
KOTA BAHRU
09-747 5500
(8AM-12AM)
KUALA LUMPUR
8.30AM-5PM
8.30AM-1PM
CLOSED
ALOR SETAR
04-734 1881
(8AM-12AM)
BUKIT BINTANG
10AM-6PM
10AM-2PM
CLOSED
PETALING JAYA
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
DAMANSARA PERDANA
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
SUBANG
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
KLANG
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
IPOH
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
PENANG
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
SEREMBAN
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
MELAKA
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
JOHOR BAHRU
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
KUANTAN
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
KUCHING
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
BUTTERWORTH
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
MIDLANDS, PENANG
11AM-7PM
11AM-3PM
CLOSED
SOUTH CITY PLAZA
10AM-8.30PM
10AM-8.30PM10AM-8.30PM
MEMBER SERVICES HOTLINE
HEAD OFFICE
03-2698 1932
(9AM-5PM) WEEKDAYS
(9AM-1PM) SATURDAYS
AAM MEMBERSHIP
RENEWAL & NEW APPLICATION
PHONE
03-2161 8252, 03-2163 0689
FAX
03-2162 5358
INSURANCE SERVICES
GENERAL LINE 03-2162 5777
MOTOR/NON MOTOR
EXT:710/702/704/706/707
CLAIMS
EXT:703/705
TECHNICAL SERVICE
VEHICLE INSPECTION, VALUATION
& TECHNICAL ADVICE
03-2611 1779/780
WEEKDAYS
WEEKENDS
TOURS AND TRAVEL
SAT-WED
THUR
FRI
KUALA TERENGGANU
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
AAM TRAVEL SDN BHD 03-2163 5210
KOTA BAHRU
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
TOURS, AIR TICKETING
ALOR SETAR
9AM-5PM
9AM-1PM
CLOSED
Total Number Of Breakdown Calls For The Period
Between Oct 2009 till Nov 2009
21, 067
For service enquiries & complaints,
Member Relations Unit at 03 2698 1932 (9am – 5pm: weekdays & 9am – 1pm: Saturday)
For Breakdown Assistance & Technical Advice,
Call Centre at 1-800-88-0808