Toyota Prius+ (PriusPlus)

For the first six months of 2012, the Prius was third in the global sales chart, trailing only Ford’s Focus and Toyota’s Corolla. 

It’s been a meteoric rise for the Prius since it launched 15 years ago, and Toyota’s dominance of the hybrid market looks set to continue with the Prius+.

Toyota is keen to stress that this is a whole new vehicle from the ground up, not just a swollen version of the standard car. 

Measuring 155mm longer, 30mm wider and 85mm higher, with a wheelbase extended by 80mm, the Prius+ is substantially larger, but the overall look is familiar. The front end gets a much wider, lower grille with sharp corners either side to improve airflow, while a roof spoiler reduces drag at the rear. It’s the higher, elongated roof that catches your eye, though, giving the car a classic MPV silhouette. 

Toyota has capitalised on the extra interior space by cramming in three rows of seats, each mounted 45mm higher than the row in front, for a stadium view of the road ahead. Headroom and legroom are generous, even in the back row, which can comfortably fit a couple of adults. 

With all the seats occupied, there’s 200 litres of boot space. Fold the back row flat into the floor and that increases to 505 litres, and with the second row forward, there’s 1,750 litres to play with. An extra storage tray under the boot floor is handy, while the tailgate opening is 95mm wider than the Prius’, making larger objects easier to load.

An all-new dash design features a more upright centre stack, with a large rotary dial for controlling the air-conditioning, a trademark miniature gearlever and the electronic parking brake. The centre console is reserved for a cup-holder, storage bin and buttons for the three driving modes – EV, Eco and Power.

This is the first Prius model – besides the plug-in Prius, to use lithium-ion batteries, instead of a bulkier nickel-metal hydride pack. The switch isn’t just about saving weight, either – the batteries slot neatly under the centre console, between the driver and passenger, so there’s no compromise to interior space.

Prius+ compared to Prius size.

Besides the uprated batteries, the powertrain is identical to the smaller Prius’, and combines a 1.8-litre 98bhp petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 134bhp. In T4 spec, it emits only 96g/km (better equipped T Spirit models emit 101g/km) – amazing, considering it weighs 75kg more than the standard Prius.

Mercedes SLC

These are the pictures that prove Mercedes is working on a baby brother to the SLS AMG supercar. Thought to be called the SLC, this early protoype uses an SLS body with experimental running gear underneath. 

It’s given away by the shorter wheelbase and heavy cladding at the front and rear, which is likely to hide some of the production model's altered styling. Earlier this year Mercedes Head of Design, Gordon Wagener, told us to expect a dynamic design inspired by the SLS.

The SLC will be front-engined but the SLS's 6.2-litre V8 will most likely be replaced by an all-new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. Mercedes may offer a V6 model, too, using the 3.5-litre unit from the SLK.

Expect to see a power output of around 500bhp in the flagship variant, which will allow the SLC to accelerate from 0-62mph in just over four seconds.  

While the SLS is going after models like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Aston Martin DBS, the SLC will be far cheaper with a price-tag closer to nearly RM500,000 (£80,000).

We should get our first glimpse of the production-ready Mercedes SLC in 2014, before the car goes on sale early in 2015.

Toyota Camry 2012 Malaysia Edition

The All new Toyota Camry has official launched in Malaysia last Friday (1st of June).  To start off, 3 variants will be available for customers to purchase. The all new 2.5V engine Camry and the 2.0G model and 2.0E model.

The model year 2012 Toyota Camry – code name (XV50), are set to capture their market of spacious, comfort and with a slight touch of luxury. All the Toyota Camry variants now comes with HID Projector headlights with auto leveling function.

This Toyota Camry 2012 2.5V has fitted in with standard aerokit with day light running LED integrated. UMW Toyota’s move is smart to keep up the market trend.  The Camry with the aerokit does stand out more when compare to the one without Camry. The aerokits are optional so customer that wish to go for the either the 2.5V , 2.0G or 2.0E variant that would love to have this additional aerokit, they can do so as an optional accessory from UMW Toyota. 

Overall, the Toyota Camry looks more squarish resembling to it’s more Luxury branded cousin, the Lexus LS range. The tail lights are also fitted with a combination of LED lights for better glow thus better visibility and styling. The all round aerokit it’s more to a personally preference, some customers might find it bulky.

The dashboard looks more refine as compare to the previous generation of Toyota Camry. The 6.1 inch DVD-audio-navigation screen, in car entertainment system are available as an optional purchase. The 2.5V Camry will have additional switches as it will have the integrate Bluetooth Hands free connectivity for mobile phone and cruise control that is available in 2.0G as well.

Inside, the 2.5V and 2.0G Camry will be fitted with leather seats, where as the Toyota Camry 2.0E will be fitted with fabric seats. The seats on the 2.5V and 2.0G are electronic adjustable where as the 2.0E variant will remain as manual adjustable.

The engine of the 2.5V is powered by a 2.5L DUAL VVTI engine. This engine pushes 181PS with 231Nm torque. Mated with a 6 speed automatic gearbox. The 2.5V Camry would be a good tourer car.  However disappointingly the 2.0E and 2.0G are still using the same engine & gearbox with the past 2 generation of Camry but it is said that both engine for the 2.0L and the gearbox has been enhanced.

The manual rear window sun shades and keyless enty with push-start button are only available in the Toyota Camry 2.5V variant.

Colours that are available for the new Camry are, White Pearl CS, Attitude Black, Silver Metallic & Medium Silver Metallic. Price ranging from RM 149,900.00  for 2.0E , RM 157,900.00 for 2.0G and for the top of the range 2.5V will be RM 180,900.00. I would personally go for the 2.5V Camry variant if i have the bucks simply because it feels more like a completely new Camry, with a new engine and gearbox & the features that is only available on the 2.5V variant.

2013 Honda Civic Type R

Has the new Honda Civic Type R started testing? This mystery prototype was spotted near Honda’s engineering centre close to the Nurburgring circuit in Germany – and the vast rear wing suggests it’s no ordinary hatch.

The car also features modified front air intakes to allow extra cooling, although there don’t appear to be any other changes to the wheels, tyres, brakes or suspension, leading our spies to believe this could be the first prototype to test the Type R’s new engine.

Rather than follow the current trend for small-capacity turbocharged engines, Honda is expected to fit a naturally aspirated, high-revving i-VTEC with the same 2.0-litre capacity as the old hot Civic.

The next generation of 2013 Honda Civic Type R is speculated to be Honda’s first-ever turbo road car. Due to strict emissions regulations, the new Civic Type R will replace its 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with a 2.0-litre turbo designed to comply with Euro V emissions regulations. Stop-start is also likely to be fitted too.

To be expected, we will be seeing the similar engine to be featured in Honda’s 2012 British Touring Car Championship challenger. The new 2013 Honda Civic Type R is estimated to churn out 210bhp, 0-100km/h in less than 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 240km/h.

Instead of 3-door, Honda will offer the car as a 5-door only. Prices are expected to start from around £23,000 in UK when it arrives in 2013.