Saudi Prince Waleed's 38th Car

Diamond studded US$4.8 Million SL600 Mercedes.

Check out this real Bling bling which is not meant for wearing but instead for driving. A fender bender with it is going to real costly.

Thanks Ziana.




UPDATE: Proven to be a fake. The car is not encrusted with diamonds but instead with 300,000 Swarovski crystals by Garson USA and was exhibited as part of DUB Magazine's Custom Auto Show & Concert. There is also no evidence that this car belongs to Prince Waleed. Still costs a Million dollars.

Modified Naza Ria 2

Finally got the hydraulics installed on the modified Naza Ria.

Total cost: RM16,000.






Related posts:
Modified Naza Ria

Tags: Modification Naza Ria

Dashboard malfunction

Never wipe your dashboard with glass cleaner fluid, especially if you drive a Proton car and have to park it under the hot sun.

I learnt it the hard way.





Still don't know what had happened. There must have been some kind of reaction because when I got out of my office in the evening, I found out that the top covering on my dashboard had curled up.

Went around for around 2 whole hours searching for a workshop which could fix it. Some said that I would have to get the whole dashboard changed which means around RM300 +. So went to a few chop shops but they didn't have the Wira dashboard.

Finally found a cushion repair shop in Kepala Batas (near the airport) who told me that he could do it for around RM100.

Have to go back next week.

Thanks for showing me the way, Chandra. You have saved me a lot of dough.

Tags: Accident Proton Repair

Modified Naza Ria

Requirement: To enable a wheel chair bound senior citizen to ride comfortably without getting off the wheel chair.

Problem: To convert the Naza Ria without major modifications to the body and with a limited budget.

Solution: To install a remote controlled hydraulic ramp in the back.

Limitations: Still need muscle power to push invalid into the back of the vehicle. Also some safety concerns.

I feel that instead of a ramp, there should have been a hydraulic controlled lift. Anyway, at the budget (around RM15,000) they did a great job.

What do you think? Do you feel that they could have done it any other way?

Some pictures (hydraulics still not installed yet):







Tags: Modification Naza Ria

It is the Satria Neo

I was wrong (read my last post). The new Proton is called the Satria Neo. Maybe calling it the Satria Replacement Model (SRM) is wrong.

The fact that they registered two urls here and here points to the possibility that these two names were in contention.

I am not sure but maybe one of the guys who came up with the name is a Matrix fan. Well I guess it is a much better name than "Desire", which might appeal to the ladies but macho guys (those who love to drive fast and hard) might run away from. And that would be a mistake as we see the particular profile of those this car is targeted at.

BTW, the tag line for the Satria Neo is "Desire has a new name".

(updated: 19th June, 2006)

Related links:

- Proton hopes new model, campaign to boost sales

- Proton Satria Neo 1.3 and 1.6 in-depth.

Tags: Neo New Model Proton Satria SRM

Satira replacement model

Just read in the Mobile Talk blog that the Proton Satria Replacement Model (SRM) will be launched on June 16, 2006 and will be called either Neo or Desire (most probably the later).

Here is a picture, which was posted on the blog.



Another pic from the Lowyat.net forum.


The rumour seems to be correct as there is already a website with some sneak previews.





Related Link: Introducing the Satria Neo

Tags: Desire New Model Proton Satria SRM

Another new model from Naza

Actually not really a new model but who cares. I might be mistaken but this might be some kind of record. I mean, it is not even a month since the Naza Sutera was launched and he comes out with another car - a Malaysian version of the Peugeot 206.

The Naza 206 Bestari was launched yesterday by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak. This follows the MOU signed in September last year between Naza and Peugeot.

The 206 Bestari manufactured by Naza Corporation Sdn Bhd (NCSB) comes with a 1.4 litre multi-point fuel injection engine with four-speed automatic transmission.

Again dual airbags and automated braking system (ABS) are standard accessories.

I have always loved the sleak designs of Peugeot cars but I could only admire them due to their high after tax prices here. People also warned me that there was a problem with spare parts of European cars were really expensive (if they were available). The car is priced at an affordable RM68,888 (on the road). Even more amazing is the fact that the car will have a three-year or 100,000km warranty. The car has 435 local components produced by 24 vendors

The car is available in six colours : Midnight Black, Quartz Blue, Quick Silver, Racy Red, Aegean Blue and Svelte Grey.

Automobiles Peugeot's International Operations Division executive vice-president Bernd Schantz was also there at the launch and said the 206 Bestari was the result of eight months of hard work between Naza and Peugeot.

I forsee that Naza might very well over take the two other "National cars" soon considering that Naza is not only targeting the domestic market but is actively looking at exporting their cars. Peugeot has given them permission to export the 206 Bestari to right-hand drive countries in the Asian region. They expect to sell 10,000 units in the first year in both the local and international markets.

I am beginning to admire Naza Group chairman and CEO Tan Sri Nasimuddin SM Amin. I was watching his interview in TV1. On being asked what the selling points of the car was (or somethign like that, he pointed out: 1. Sporty design, 2. Value for money 3. 4 doors, 4. Safety features. I noticed he stressed the "value for money part", which shows that he understands the feelings of most Malaysian customers.

Tags: Bestari Naza Peugeot Proton Sutera