PHOTOGRAPHER: LAUGUAN

Honda Civic Hybrid is not a powerful car, so please don’t buy a hybrid for its high horsepower or because it’s fun to drive in any of the ways a traditional all-gas all-the-time car can be.

So, I won’t touch too much in civic hybrid technical terms. On the other hand, I’ll drive it to travel since its fuel economy is so good. Honestly, I get better fuel economy than everything short of a golf cart.

555.7 km for 3 days doesn’t need to fill petrol

From the first day I collect Civic Hybrid from Honda, till the third day I return the car to them, it cost 555.7km. I am surprise that it’s so good in fuel economy if you compare with other car.

I start my journey from my house at Puchong, heading to TTDI took my photographer, and drive to Klang by taking LPD Highway. The traffic is so smooth (actually how wish I want it jam seriously as normal day for me testing its fuel consumption) and my photographer Lau is laughing, “today is a good day.”

Performance

2009 Honda Civic Hybrid featured the 110-horsepower 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine (the only option for the hybrid sedan) coupled with an electric motor that kicks in 20 more hp, and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Civic Hybrid is a little different from hybrids from other manufacturers in that the electric motor assists the gasoline engine when it needs it, but can’t power the vehicle on its own (as Toyota’s system can). Honda calls it Integrated Motor Assist.

I turn to KESAS Highway when we reach Summit USJ there, heading to Klang – Banting – Jenjarom – Morib Gold Coast – Sepang Gold Coast. On highway, I try my best to speed up to 140km/h, Civic Hybrid still very stabile. Lau say: “my lancer evo starting shaking the steering when you hit 120km/h, I even can’t feel the real speed now.”

Yes, it’s not fast, it isn’t a world-class handling car and it won’t break any speed records. But it’s a solid contender in the compact hybrid sedan market, an arena that is becoming increasingly crowded with vehicles worth considering.

Our test car Civic Hybrid is the facelift version for 2009 that includes styling changes to the nose and tail, and additional features like leather upholstery, giving it a slightly more upscale feel for a hybrid compact sedan. But unfortunately, it doesn’t have navigation system, if not it’s perfect for somebody who are heavy traveller.

So if the Prius design is not your cup of tea, and you can live with a compact rather than a mid-size sedan, then the Honda Civic Hybrid is worth a little respect and consideration.

Who Should Consider This Vehicle

If you’re simply looking for an ultra-efficient reliable sedan with some available luxury goodies, the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid with leather may be a good choice for you.

Sepang Gold Coast

Morib Gold Coast is nothing special, just a less crowded sea shore. But this is not our destination, we want visit the Sepang Gold Coast actually. But the signboard of Morib Gold Coast sometimes really makes people confusing, just because of the keyword of “gold coast”.

Luckily we found a nice seafood restaurant with a nice scene in middle way to Sepang Gold Coast. We took some nice photo shoot here. Then we head to our destination.  Sepang Gold Coast is well known by its golden palm tree sea villas resort. But it is still under construction.

Finally we reach Sepang Gold Coast, here we took a lots of nice photo shooting.

The Golden Palm Tree Sea Villas & Spa (GPT) is the maiden project undertaken by Sepang Goldcoast Sdn Bhd, the master developer of Sepang Goldcoast.

GPT seeks to provide a unique holiday experience for its guests, underpinned by world-class quality services and luxuriously appointed interior designs for its villas.

The GPT complex itself is an iconic palm-shaped structure, constructed entirely over water, with its furthest end stretching almost 1.2 kilometers into the Straits of Malacca, the first of its kind in the world.

Guests have a choice of 392 internationally award winning villas, from studio, 2-room and 3-room suites. Facilities include a 1,000-pax conference hall and meeting rooms, food & beverages outlets, a gym, a spa complex, business center, swimming pool, children club and an out-of-this-world day& night bar.

The construction of the GPT is almost completed and is expected to receive its first guest in the 1st quarter of 2010.

KUALA LUMPUR, 3^rd September 2009: Volvo today reinforced its leadership in Malaysian automotive safety by celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the most important automobile safety device ever invented: the three-point safety belt.

Invented by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin and patented in 1959, the device has to date saved more than a million lives worldwide and is now standard equipment in every car, truck and bus. Today, the modern safety belt is the cornerstone of a car’s interior safety system, working alongside additional features such as airbags, belt pre-tensioners and force limiters.

With a simple grab, stretch, click!, the three-point safety belt saves lives and prevents serious injury to the user.

“The three-point safety belt was not the first safety innovation from Volvo, but it certainly has proved to be the most significant,” said newly appointed Volvo Car Malaysia President, Mr. Goran Larsson at the 50^th anniversary celebration here. “And because Volvo recognised its safety potential, Volvo Cars decided to share the patent with all other car manufacturers.

“And that is why you’ll find a little bit of Volvo in every car on the road today.”

New President of Volvo Car Malaysia

Larsson, 56, was the President of Volvo Cars Taiwan for three years before taking over from Robert Norrman here in Malaysia in July 2009. Prior to his Taiwan posting, the experienced Swede, who began his career with Volvo Cars in 1984, was also the President of the Regional Office for Volvo Car Turkey & Istanbul.

Larsson’s role to drive Volvo Car Malaysia to greater heights is only matched by his passion to ensure all Malaysians buckle up.

“Thankfully, Malaysia has recognized the important role of the safety belt by the enforcement on rear safety belt usage this year,” he said. Larsson pointed out that a 2008 study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) had proved that rear seatbelts can reduce the risk of deaths and serious injuries by more than 50 percent.

The three-point safety belt remains the most effective protection for occupants in the event of a collision. It is perfectly designed to suit the user’s body to keep the occupant in the seat in an accident.

Safety – Volvo’s tradition and leadership

The three-point safety belt stems from a long line of Volvo safety innovations, many now standard equipment, including multiple grades of steel throughout the vehicle, intelligent airbags, electronic vehicle stability systems, Roll Stability Control (RSC), Driver Alert, Blind Spot Identification System, Lane Departure, Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Automatic Braking, just to name a few.

“From Nils Bohlin’s invention 50 years ago to City Safety in our new Volvo XC60 this year, Volvo is constantly innovating new ways to keep passengers safe,” Larsson said. “These safety features, and ones we will continue to introduce, are inline with our commitment that by the year 2020, no one will be killed or suffer serious injuries in a new Volvo.”

Safety Campaign

Larsson also said that Volvo Car Malaysia would launch a safety campaign for pre-school children in conjunction with the 50^th anniversary of the safety belt. The campaign, which involves pre-schools in the Klang Valley, aims to create awareness and educate young children about the do’s and don’ts of vehicle safety.

“Safety is  Volvo’s cornerstone, and by inculcating in young children the importance of safety both in and out of the car, we are committed to continue playing a major role in promoting vehicle safety at all levels in Malaysia.”

Please visit www.volvocars.com.my or www.media.volvocars.com for more details.

Triton自面市以来先后赢获国内外多项汽车奖。

在马来西亚销售的Triton车款包括3.2公升的4×4自排款式、2.5公升的4×4自排和手排款式以及2.5公升的4×2手排款，Triton的每一个车款都是赢奖款式，而使它成为唯一全系列赢奖的小卡车。

三菱小卡车自2006年推出L200款式开始，即Triton之前的款式，便连续3年赢获Autocar Asean汽车杂志的“年度小卡车奖”，Triton 2.5则于隔年荣获同样奖项，而2008的年度小卡车奖则颁给Triton Lite。

除此之外，它的旗舰款式Triton 3.2也赢获“2008新海峡时报-马来亚银行年度车奖”。

马来西亚三菱汽车的总执行长大野惠三在新车推介仪式上对报界说：“对我们来说，Triton的表现是马来西亚三菱汽车的最大成就。自2006年推介以来，Triton的销量大幅度增长，而成为本国当前第二畅销的小卡车。这款原本已赢奖无数的小卡车，改款后所呈现的更雄浑外型和进一步升级的功能，必令它成为更受欢迎的车款。

在价格方面，Triton Lite 是由RM61,458.80起、Triton 2.5 M/T（手排）RM87,051.80、Triton 2.5 A/T（自排）RM91,921.80，而Triton 3.2是RM99,143.50。Triton 2.5的价格只限于推介期间。

所有Triton车款都是整装进口，厂家提公3年或100,000公里保用优惠，视何者为先。

美观大方的风格

三菱汽车的工程师虽然在改款的过程中对车子的多个部份作出改进，但是，他们却尽量维持Triton的独特外观，以期毫无争议地在同级车市场上成为领导群伦的车款。不论是讲究设计风格或从事小生意的用户，新添的特点都能迎合每一个人的需求。

Triton当初面试的时候，为市场带来全新的气息，它也证明坚韧的小卡车不一定要像其它竞争牌子般所坚持的传统作业车设计。改款后的Triton保留其独一无二的特徴，惟车头呈现了新的设计，令它看起来更雄X及显眼。

防撞杆已重新修饰，边角呈现容纳雾灯的设计；冷却水箱的格栅则换上具有运动感的蜂巢设计。前防撞杆底下的饰板现改喷银漆，以配合车子的新外观。至於价格相宜的Triton Lite则拥有漆色前防撞杆、双辐条式水箱格栅和新型状的车头灯，以显现更高级的外观。

Triton的轮拱现已喷上跟车身相同的颜色，而属旗舰款的3.2公升款式还额外安装设计独特的侧边踏板和充满运动感的17寸铝合金轮辋。Triton 2.5的16寸铝合金轮辋则换上新的设计。

功能进一步提升

Triton的独特外型设计除了展现美感，也营造比同级车子更宽敝的内厢空间。改款的后斗已加长，以增加载物空间，不论是作业或休闲之用都很理想。

车子的全长增加220mm至5,295mm，其中后斗的载物盘增加了180mm。此外，载物盘的高度也增加55mm，使拥有1,505mm X 460mm面积之载物盘的长度和深度大增。

美观的内厢

Triton宽敝和舒适的内厢以及充满运动感和轿车般的仪表板设计备受车评界和顾客的赞赏，小改后的车款也尽力强化这方面的优点。

四轮驱动款式的驾驶舱装上设计美观的两级式中央仪表台，内有新添的RV表。RV表是Triton独有的装备，以显示各种行车资讯，如尚存燃料可行里数、平均速度、耗燃率、数码式指南针、气压计、高度表和车外气温等。Triton 3.2的气温调节钮键现以改为黑色，看起来更加高尚雅致。

增添的其它新项目包括高品级的座椅垫布和前座位之间的靠手，以提高舒适水平。

坚韧又强劲

在市区环境使用，Triton固然显现其精致和文明的一面，但是，它也不失作为一部小卡车所具备的强韧特性，这有托於三菱汽车继承自达咯尔越野赛中无以伦比的致胜强点。梯形的底盘架构和三菱的RISE（强化抗撞安全进化概念）车身为Triton营造了应付越野环境的超凡强韧性能和卓越的公路操驶特性。

Triton的旗舰款是由3.2公升排量的引擎驱动，这台引擎可产生160匹马力的最高输出功率，而最强扭力可达343牛顿米；至於2.5公升的引擎，则可产生136匹马力的最高功率和最强314顿米的扭力。两者都是双缸顶凸轮轴（DOHC）、16阀、柴油直接喷注共轨涡轮增压引擎，并具备进气冷却器（intercooler）。

引擎的动力是通过三菱的Easy Select 4WD传动系统输送至车轮，而且司机可在每小时不超过100公里的速度下，在两轮驱动（2WD）和四轮驱动（4WD）模式之间进行切换。Triton 2.5也有手排变速款供选择。

Triton Lite的动力来自经济省油、经久耐用及可靠的2.5公升排量单缸顶凸轮轴（SOHC）、8阀柴油引擎，而传动系统是手排变速及两轮驱动（2WD）模式。

安全

Triton拥有Rise车体结构（Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution），经过加强的底盘结构能够承受撞击力，先进的车架提供卓越的扭曲和弯曲承受力，加强安全和保护功能。

Triton 3.2和Triton 2.5更备有前座安全带之预缩装置（Pre-tensioner）及束力控制装置（Force-limiter）及双安全防撞气囊，给予驾驶者和乘员最大的安全防护，动力驾驶盘和ABS（Anti-lock Braking System）结合EBD（Electronic Brake-force Distribution），确保煞车、紧急转弯及其他行车状况的安全。

马来西亚三菱汽车在全国拥有33间展销中心，其中6间为3S中心，此外，它也拥有46间维修服务中心。请游览www.mitsubishi-motors.com.my，以查阅详细资讯。

三菱汽车在赛车运动方面拥有悠久的历史，在赢获2007年达咯尔越野赛冠军后，创下连续7年夺冠的纪录。

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