A One of The Kind Audi R8!!

Lego has whip out an astonishing piece of art and engineering by producing an Audi R8 Lego with six speed and reverse gear box, a working brakes, throttle, clutch and headlights and even the door, hood and engine cover opens like a real car. The Audi R8 Lego is not just an art but its functioning parts put it ahead of every working Lego creation. This piece of creation was created by Tyler Reid and he manage to create features that are so detailed from the interior down to door pulls and door speakers, making it the most detailed and complex car any artist has ever built.

Hit after the jump to see the rest of the pics

An Awesome 9 Minutes Video of Unbelievable Engineering Feat. The Ferrari F10 Steering Wheel!!

Here’s a 9 minutes video featuring the Ferrari F10 Formula One steering wheels for those Ferrari fans out there including me. This awesome video explains all the function of the button and it’s response to the car. Wow a truly great video even for me a Ferrari fanatic does not know all the function of the button and its truly amazed you can change almost everything from the front flaps to the fuel mixture setting to the drink button just by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Unbelievable engineering feat. A must watch video for the F1 and Ferrari fanatics.

Now Its Audi's Turn To Show The Miniseries "The Next Big Thing". Move On BMW!!!

An awesome looking short miniseries produce by Audi which is called 'The Next Big Thing' is now online. I truly can feel it’s going to be a short miniseries to be remembered as what BMW has produce previously which is the ‘The Hire’. I still remember when I studied in the UK, my roommates showed me the BMW miniseries and I was truly blown away with the cinematic scenes and also the plot of the story.

Now ‘The Next Big Thing’ is a 6 part mini series featuring ‘sexy back’ Justin Timberlake, Dania Ramirez and the all new Audi A1. The miniseries was directed by Swedish filmmaker Henrik Sundgren and it will be released every Tuesday for the next 5 weeks. Stay tune to this blog as I will upload the videos for your viewing.

So BMW, your move now. Care to challenge?

Volkswagen App My Ride Competition Is Now Online

Previously i have posted an article about the competition held by Volkswagen AG. Basically the competition is now live and software developers can now download the SDK (Software Development Kit). Before you can download the kit, you need to agree with the terms and condition of the entry. Follow after the jump to read on the full details of the terms and condition of this competition.

Basically Volkswagen is the first car company to adapt the ‘open innovation’ idea to its ongoing product development. The competition will run from 3rd of May till 30th of June 2010 where developers need to design the next generation infotainment system based on a touch screen technology integrated to the car centre console. To enter you must be 18 year or over but if you are the staff of Volkswagen, I’m sorry, you are now eligible. Applications entered must be produced in Adobe Flash or Adobe Flex with a minimum size of 380 * 380 pixels, and may only be entered by individuals.

The applications as entered must not have been offered for commercial use anywhere else. Entrants must decide for themselves whether they would wish their application to be published if no patent, utility model or registered design has been applied for or issued. VOLKSWAGEN is not responsible for maintaining confidentiality, nor can VOLKSWAGEN be held liable for the consequences of disclosing applications Prizes in kind will not be paid out in cash. Cash prizes are paid out in euros. VOLKSWAGEN may exchange or substitute prizes at its discretion. If any prize cannot be awarded due to reasons beyond VOLKSWAGEN's control, a substitute prize of the same value will be awarded.

So software developers out there, head down to the URL, and whip out your most innovative ideas and who knows your hard neutron brain work might be used as one of the coolest car in town in the future. I better sign up for this competition. Cross my fingers

source: Volkswagen AG

Suzuki Concept Kizashi Turbo To Blown You Away!!!

Suzuki has just revealed the 2010 Kizashi Turbo Concept on April 30th with conjunction with the Speed Channel Test Drive program. The concept design was conceived by Suzuki tuner Road Race Motorsport based on the pre production Kizashi GTS. The tuner has added its own built 16G turbocharger, high flow intercooler, an extreme spray injector, a blow off valve and a velocity air intake.

This soup up Kizashi produce a whopping 290bhp compared to the base engine of 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine which produce only 185bhp. That’s an enormous 105bhp increase. The increase of hp should be in line with the handling of the cars. The handling has been improved with a set of 19 inch wheels wrapped in Dunlop performance tyres accompanied by the Road Race Motorsports own set of sports springs to the Kizashi independent suspension holding up the uni body frame. For an added down force, this was helped by a rear spoiler from Delta Tech Engineering.

I can’t wait the arrival of Suzuki Kizashi here in Malaysia. There are rumours that the Suzuki Malaysia Automobile will bring in the Kizashi in the 3rd quarter this year. Hopefully the rumours are true as this handsomely looking mid size sedan will definitely pose some serious threat to Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for customers who are looking for a mid size sedan without the uncle look and feel. Some hint to the readers of Auto Insider Malaysia, the engine with the bolt on turbo does look nearly like the one that will be installed on the Proton Campro Turbo engine. I only say looks nearly but not exactly the same. I will shut my mouth now before I spill more beans.

Enjoy the rest of the pics after the jump

Proton Sales Is A Hit In Thailand!!

Our Proton and Mazda had made a headline in Thailand by having good sales thanks to the fresh new products launch that quickly gained favor amongst Thai motorist. The Proton Exora was a big hit in Thailand even surpassing the sales of the recently launched Honda Freed here in Malaysia.

The Mazda sales in Thailand were spear headed by the sales of Mazda 2 with the hatchback version getting the most sales compared to the sedan version. For the first quarter of 2010, Proton sales grew by a whopping 205.4% compared to the year before while Mazda recorded an impressive 521.7% sales increase as compared to last year’s performance.

Based on the market data for the first quarter, Proton has manage to secure the 5th spot for the top 10 car sales with a total sales of 1,930 units sold and in the overall vehicles sales category, Proton has managed to be on the 10th spot overall. Not bad for a car brand which has just been in the scene of Thailand motor industry to achieved such a commendable feat where the market was driven by the Toyota brand previously.

I still remember when I visited Bangkok last year, there were seas of Toyota cars in the Thai capital, but eventually, you will see 3 to 4 Proton cars roaming in the Thai capital. I have the honor to spoke with the GM of Proton Thailand distributor, Phranakorn Auto Sales, Mr Apitchart; he is impress of the vehicle produce by Proton especially the Proton Exora.

He truly amazed with the quality of the Exora that he perceived the quality is on par with the Japanese rival. I even do a random interview asking the man on the street in the Thai capital and most of the people of Thailand especially the youth really likes the Proton cars especially the design; as according to them the design portrays sportiness as compared to the other car brand in the Thai market.

If only the price is competitive in Thailand, it would be a hit among the youth of Thai. Some information for us to ponder here for the Malaysian consumer.

source:

Sorry For My Absence!!

Hello to all readers of Auto Insider Malaysia. I’m sorry for my absence in past few days. I was down with flu and I think it’s a common disease in this hot, humid weather here in Malaysia especially this time around of wind changing direction. I can’t remember the wind direction specifically, even though I scored an “A” in Geography in my school days  . Looks like I’m too old to remember what I have been thought in my school days. Once again I’m sorry for my absence. I’m back and I will continue to spice up your days with my inside scoop of the auto industry.. seeya.. Happy reading and have a good day.