Wagons appreciation Pt 1: Autoconnexions (Alfa and Ford)

Why Autoconnexions?  It's because I'm covering Alfa Romeo and Ford.  Both Marques are currently Distributed by Sime Darby Autoconnexions, Malaysia (SDAM).

Oh! Almost forgot to Mention, this is a series of Wagon Appreciation to be published from 2 July to Mid August.  There are 8 parts in total. 

Without further ado, let's appreciate these wagons:

1) Alfa 159 Sportswagon:

Here are the Detailed Descriptions and Specifications of this BELLA.

ALFA ROMEO 159 2.4 JTDM Lusso QTRONIC

Overview:

     * Estate
    * Automatic
    * 2.4L
    * Diesel

5 Doors, Automatic, Estate, Diesel, 200 bhp. Metallic Carbonio Black, TOTAL SPECIFICATION including colour factory satellite navigation, contrasting Natural Sport leather upholstery, electric sunroof, paddleshift gear change, front and rear park distance control, aluminium roof rails, carbon fibre dash, alloy wheels, integrated Bluetooth, i pod connection, 10 CD auto-changer, electric folding mirrors, cruise control, dual zone climate control, multi-functional steering wheel, auto lights, auto dimming rear view mirror, centre arm rest, computer, traction control, remote locking, full electrics plus much more.  Sportwagon. STUNNING. Fantastic performance and economy.

VEHICLE SUMMARY

Body style      Estate
Engine size     2387 cc
Fuel type     Diesel
Number of doors     5
Number of seats     5
Gearbox type     SEMI-AUTO
CO2 emissions     210 g/km
Insurance group     14
Vehicle tax band     K
Standard manufacturers warranty (miles)     Unlimited mileage
Standard manufacturers warranty (years)     3 years
Standard corrosion guarantee     8 years
Standard paintwork guarantee     3 years


PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY

Fuel consumption (urban)      24.4 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban)     47.9 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined)     35.3 mpg
0 - 62 mph     8.5 seconds
Top speed     139 mph
Cylinders     5
Valves     20 v
Engine power     200 bhp
Engine torque     295 lbs/ft

Dimensions:

Height      1422 mm
Height inclusive roof rails     No details available
Length     4660 mm
Wheelbase     2700 mm
Width     1828 mm
Width including mirrors     No details available
Fuel tank capacity     70 litres
Gross vehicle weight     No details available
Luggage capacity (seats down)     1235 litres
Luggage capacity (seats up)     445 litres
Max loading weight     No details available
Max roof load     50 kg
Max towing weight (braked)     1500 kg
Max towing weight (unbraked)     No details available
Minimum kerb weight     1655 kg
Turning circle (kerb to kerb)     11.1 metres

Safety:

3 rear 3 point seatbelts
Alfa Romeo branded aluminium brake callipers
Anti-intrusion beams on all doors
Child locks on rear doors
Driver/front passenger side airbags
Drivers knee airbag
ESP
FPS fire prevention system
Front passenger airbag deactivation
Front seatbelts+load limiter and pretensioner
Full size driver and passenger airbags
Seatbelt warning
VDC with hill holder (ABS + ASR + EBD + Brake assist)
Window airbags
Alfa code immobiliser
Remote central locking/doors+fuel cap+tailgate
Volumetric anti theft alarm.

Here's a Parting shot of the BELLA:

Stunning isn't it?  Now let's PRINT out this Article and Show SDAM (Sime Darby Autoconnexions) high level employees what they missed out.

2) FORD MONDEO Estate:

EXTERIOR:

THE INTERIORS:

Check out the HUGE Boot space.  Great for Dog lovers.  The seats are 60:40 split foldable.  1000+ Litres of boot space at your disposal after Split/folding the rear seats.

HERE'S MY PARTING SHOT:

Above: Best angle of Ford Mondeo Estate. 

Sorry, for did not include the Specifications.  TOO MANY Engine options.  But I reckoned if SDAM are convinced, the 2.3L Engine + 6 speed Automatic (as found in Sedan) is the BEST bet.  Oh! Since this is a LIFESTYLE car, please bring in the SUNROOF + Roof Rail version.

ADDED (1550hrs):  Please bring in this trim: Titanium X and Engine + Specifications:

OVERVIEW:
Body style      Estate
Engine size     1997 cc
Fuel type     Diesel
Number of doors     5
Number of seats     5
Gearbox type     6 speed AUTO
CO2 emissions     187 g/km

PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY (Source: Ford Australia)

Fuel consumption (urban)      7.7L/100km
Fuel consumption (extra urban)   5.4L/100km
Fuel consumption (combined)     6.2L/100km
NOTE: Fuel Consumption slightly BETTER than Camry HYBRID.

0 - 62 mph     9.1 seconds
Top speed     215km/h
Cylinders     4
Valves     16 v
Engine power     163 bhp@4000rpm
Engine torque     340Nm@1750-2500rpm

DIMENSIONS: (source: autotrader.co.uk)

Height      1512 mm
Height inclusive roof rails     1548 mm
Length     4830 mm
Wheelbase     2850 mm
Width     1886 mm
Width including mirrors     2078 mm
Fuel tank capacity     70 litres
Gross vehicle weight     2300 kg
Luggage capacity (seats down)    1733L
Luggage capacity (seats up)     542L
Max loading weight     689 kg
Max roof load     75 kg
Max towing weight (braked)     No details available
Max towing weight (unbraked)     No details available
Minimum kerb weight     1611 kg
Turning Circle: 11.8m

SAFETY:

3 point height adj front seatbelts + pretensioners
ABS+EBA
Curtain airbags
Driver/front passenger airbag
Drivers knee airbag
ESP + Traction control
Intelligent Protection System (IPS)
Side airbags
Three 3 point rear seatbelts
Remote central double locking
Thatcham category 1 alarm+immobiliser

END OF Engine+Specifications.

Again, this posting is to LURE SDAM (Sime Darby Autoconnexions Malaysia) to bring in these 2 beauties.  THE Alfa 159 Sportswagon and THE Ford Mondeo Estate.

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.

MY 1st time Driving a Diesel car... I was HOOKED.

On 31 March 2010 (Yesterday), I boldly stepped into Ford Showroom in Jalan Ipoh (Sime Darby Auto Connexion - SDAC) just to find Mr. K H Teh (the Sales Executive I met during SDAC Sunway Pyramid Roadshow 2 weeks back).

Thanks to Mr. Teh, I actually, TEST DRIVEN the Ford Focus TDCI (Turbo diesel model) for a GOOD 35 minutes. Call me Wierd but this is the FIRST TIME in MY LIFE DRIVING A DIESEL ENGINED CAR!  Man, I was INSTANTLY IN LOVE with diesel cars.  Why is it so?

It's because the torque kicked in at a LOWLY 1600rpm (hence Power Easily Accessible).  It won't go up to 2500rpm.  Thus ensured LOW Fuel Consumption.  More on that later.  This is POLAR opposite to Petrol cars where torque normally came in between 2500rpm to 4500rpm.

According to the trip computer, a RM30 (17.7L) tankful is good for 300km.  That's AS GOOD AS NGV Powered and I dare to say very close to Hybrid Vehicles.

Back to the Topic, The Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI.  This car is available only as a Hatchback body (NO SEDAN AT MOMENT) and in 2 colours only, BLACK or WHITE and is priced at RM128,888 OTR (Ie. RM10k extra VS Petrol versions).

Now let me tell you how "FUN" it is to Drive this car.  The soft diesel clatter can be heard at start up, but once you are in the car, it's whisper quiet. The Power delivery is SMOOTH and LINEAR.  It happily cruises around from 1500rpm to 2500rpm around TOWN (Thanks to the 6 Speed DUAL CLUTCH GETRAG Powershift) AND slightly higher 1700 to a LOWLY 2100rpm (at 125km/h) - side note I was "Chasing a Toyota Caldina GT4" and managed to Keep up. This is on a stretch of Jalan Kuching - Duke Highway - Sprint Highway - Jalan Ipoh.  Cheeky me was also "Chasing" an Alfa Romeo 156 2.5 V6 (for 500m before he ZIGZAGGED away (from most right lane to most left lane and turn left) using the Ford Focus TDCI.

The beauty of this car is HOW it HANDLES.  The Handling is Razor Sharp, SWEET.  The car EAT CORNERS for LUNCH.  Thanks to its Unique Control Blade Multilink Rear Suspension.  To complement this, the Focus TDCI also comes with ABS+EBD+BA (Brake assist) +TCS (Traction Control) +ESP (Electronic Stability Program).   More on Safety wise, this car achieved a MAXIMUM 5 star NCAP Crash Rating. and DUAL Airbags.

Under the Bonnet lies a Potent 2.0 DURATORQ Turbo diesel engine with Common Rail Direct Injection producing 134PS@4000rpm AND a WHOOPING 320Nm or Torque at mere 2000rpm.
Acceleration was well within the claimed 0-100km/h of 9.6 seconds.  It certainly feels THAT FAST.  (In fact a FULL 1 Second faster than the Focus 2.0 Petrol version with 4 speed Auto). 
Top speed is claimed 200km/h.

Almost forgot, the Creature comfort of the car.  It came with FULL Leather Seats, Chilled Glovebox, Dual Zone Electronic Climate Control, Rear Air Conditioning vents, Audio control on steering wheel, tilt and telescopic (4 way) adjustable steering wheel wrapped in Leather.  It also comes with 8 way Power adjustable Driver seat, 2 DIN MP3 In-dash 6 Disc CD Changer with 6 speakers.  Lastly, my favourite feature 385L boot space with 60:40 Split Fold rear seatbacks (Useful for IKEA Shopping).

Man, I LOVED THIS CAR.  I wish I got the money to buy this car.  But after 35 minutes, I RELUCTANTLY have to RETURNED the KEY to Mr.Teh (The Only Chinese Sales Consultant in the Jalan Ipoh Showroom).  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Sales Executive.

Without further ado, here's MORE Photos:

Above: Another Colour combination. White with Blue Stripe (Extra RM600). Below, The one I test driven, Black with Silver stripe.

Above: KINETIC DESIGN Body shape.  Below: Wheel size are 6.5Jx16 Alloy with 205/55R16 tyres.

 

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this Blog Entry of mine.  An original Jeff Lim's production.  Ie. My Original Work.  Before I go, here's my Parting shot:

SDAC Roadshow @ Sunway Pyramid 12-14 March 2010

From 12 to 14 March 2010, SDAC (SIME DARBY AUTO CONNEXION) Conducted a Roadshow displaying Alfa Romeo, Ford and LAND ROVER Cars.  I enjoyed myself, taking lots of Photos while feasting my eyes on GREAT Cars such as Ford Mondeo, Alfa 159, Ford Focus TDCI (New launch RM128,888 OTR), Ford Fiesta (Sneak Preview) and Land Rover Freelander 2.

I also enjoyed myself talking to a friendly FORD Sales Executive Mr. K H Teh, from Jalan Ipoh Branch. 

Well, there's a saying a photo's worth 1000 words.  Let's proceed to my photos...

ABOVE: SNEAK PREVIEW: Ford Fiesta

Above & Below: FORD FOCUS TDCI.

Above and Below: FORD ESCAPE 2.3 VVT

My FAVOURITE FEATURE of the Escape:  XL Elec Sunroof.

Nice view from the Sunroof

ABOVE: Land Rover Freelander 2

Pictures Above & Below: ALFA 159. Yours for RM190000 OTR

,

Above & Below: Ford MONDEO.  RM178,888 OTR.  (ALL MONDEO 

Photos taken from Nokia N79)

BEFORE I GO, here's 2 Parting shots.  Chica (taken from Nokia N79)...

THAT'S ALL FOLKS.  An Original Jeff Lim's Production.  My Original Work.  Most picture taken from Panasonic LUMIX TZ7 unless indicated.  (Last few shots Ran out of Battery, hence using my Phone Nokia N79 to snap).