Toyota ME.WE

It sound like the clarion call of a two-year-old who needs the toilet,but the Me.We actually represents the holistic end of Toyota's futuristic planning department. Developed in conjuction with design agency Massaud, the  Me.We is a small electric supermini that does away with the flab and frippery of modern cars, resolving bare-bones transport into something that Toyota describes as a new, more rational take on the eco-mini formula.

The grandiose blurb describes the blocky little bullet as "addressing responsibility" (the Me bit) and "commitment to good citizenship" (that'll be the We). But what does that actually mean?

In a word,recyclability. If you want minimise the environmental footprint of a car,it’s as important to address the energy needed to build and repair the thing as its day-to-day CO2 output. So, instead of rendering a body in steel or aluminium,what about lightweight, replaceable,recyclable…plastic?

It's a concept that sees the Toyota do away with a traditional monocoque construction.The Me.We's basic stucture is a tubular aluminium frame - a bit like a mountain bike - sheathed in polypropylene panels. The floor and other flat bits are made of renewable bamboo, and underneath is a set of batteries powering four in - wheel electric motors. The arrangement means the Me.We is capable of two - or four - wheel drive without the need for a heavy and expensive 4x4 transmission, and the car's overall weight is kept to a slimline 750kg. Less weight means better battery range,remember.

The predictable raft of bolted-on lifestyle enhancers only serve to make the Me.We even cuter. The rear bench can be folded under the front seat, or popped out entirely to use as a deckchair. The boot can be extended to create a kind of tiny, semi - pickup, and luggage is carried on the roof under a fold - out neoprene cover. The body panels can also be replaced and personalised with ease,though the fact that they're moulded plastic offers the option of some frankly terrifying textured exterior options.

But ignore all the concept siliness,and the Me.We is actually a very attractive premonition of a small, interesting car. Simple,clever, just a little bit-fashion cool. A Mini Moke for 2020?Works for us.

Renault Koleos

Renault is only known for one model here and that is the Megane RS. Somehow the French brand has managed to switch its modus operandi here from selling delivery vans (the Kangoo) to pushing performance cars,and it is doing very well indeed.

So you're forgiven if you have forgetten about its SUV, the Koleos.It is a peculiar looking SUV,mid-sized and all, but actually quite a nice SUV to drive.

Earlier last year the Koleos received a much needed facelift. The redesigned headlights and front grille put it in sync not only with the other Renault models but also with the rest of the market.

In size, the Koleos is slightly shorter than the typical C-segment sedan, for example the Honda Civic, but sits taller and wider. That does fit its SUV image.

lts origins are interesting. Designed by Renault, the Koleos was then developed by Nissan using its X-Trail platform and powertrain. Later, the project was shipped to Busan so that Renault Samsung Motors could assemble it for global consumtion. You can say the Koleos is an international effort,and that is why it holds a special position in many markets.

This crossover focuses more on car-like road handling, hence its unique shape. The rear actually is its most interesting aspect. Half of the hatch opens up while the other half folds down. You can even sit on the bottom half, as long as your weight doesn't exceed 200kg.

Overall, the shape requires some getting used to. lt is not ugly, but it is not as snazzy as the Korean or American makes. The Koleos has a tallish roof and short wheelbase, and the swooping roof does not really make it look balanced. Still, there is a reason for that and once you get in, you will know why. The cabin has a high ceiling and although the front seats are positioned high, there is still headroom for tall drivers beneath the panoramic roof.

The dashboard layout is not as funky as the exterior might suggest. The switches and knobs do have that premium feel but they look and feel Japanese. The centre console is actually cluttered with buttons and it will take a new owner a while to get to know what's what.

The audio head unit and the satellite navigation share space on the display unit. The audio controller is not the easiest to understand but soon you will be able to change channels or tracks using the short stalk on the right hand side of the steering wheel.

The sat-nav can be controlled via the toggle on the console just behind the gear lever. There are buttons surrounding the toggle, ala BMW's i-Drive, but they are a bit more complicated. The audio quality is punchy and that is because Renault uses a Bose system here.

The ALL-Wheel-Drive system is similar to the Nissan X-Trail's, which means that in Auto mode torque can be distributed 50/50 to the front and rear wheels. You can also opt for 4WD Lock where  the torque will always be distributed evenly. If it is highway all the way, 2WD mode can make it a permanent front-wheel-drive.

The transmission system is a CVT unit. It runs quietly and has less of a rubberland effect compared with other similar systems.

More interesting features adorn the Koleos inside. ln true French fashion, there are foldable picnic tables behind each front seat, a plastic bin that you can remove from the centre console (it's either an ice bucket or a rubbish bin) and the armrests on the front doors can be actually flipped open to store five CDs.

Renault's claim that the Koleos is more like a car does hold water. Comfort level is in fact as good as that found in premium sedans. The steering feedback was not the best but it was better than most SUVs. lt allowed us to track quickly around sharp bends.

The offroad session was limited to some slightly muddy Felda trails and some rocky construction areas where the Koleos's AWD system kicked in quietly to provide enough grip. So easy was it that an inexperienced lady driver thought she was ready to tackle the next Camel Trophy Challenge, if they ever bring it back.

Yes, RM198,000 is not cheap but the Koleos provides almost everything you need in an urban soft-roader. It is also a rarity on the road and this will lend you some air of exclusivity, something not many SUV's in this price range can do..

Almera Given The Nismo Touch

Nissan`s B-segment sedan will soon be sportier than ever

During the SUPER GT raceday,Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn.Bhd.(ETCM) and Nissan Motorsports International Co.,Ltd.(Nismo) unveiled the Nissan Almera Nismo Performance Package concept car at the Sepang International Circuit.The Nismo boffins have worked their magic on the standard Almera to make the B-segment sedan look,feel and sound a lot sportier.

This new performance package features new front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts ,rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels.Nissan`s tuning arm has also fitted the Nismo Almera with a Nismo Exhaust Muffler,which will provide the car with a sportier engine note to complement the aggressive styling.

According to the company,the aerodynamics of the performance package has been specifically optimised for the Almera.Coupled with a sports suspension,the aero pack enhances the handling characteristics of the standard car, allowing it to be more agile and an offer an improved dynamic driving experience.

From what we can gather,there is no performance boost.Besides the sports suspension,ETCM hasn`t divulged any information regarding upgraded internals,so this package is pretty much a cosmetic boost. Despite not being  able to sample the interior,we managed to get a sneak peak.From what we noticed,the car was fitted with sports seats.Whether or not the Almera during the launch of this performance package is fitted with them is pure speculation right now.

According to ETCM, the Nissan Almera Nismo Performance package has been scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of this year,so we will have to wait and see if the company adds anything more to the package`s list of enhancements.

Merc ML350 4Matic BlueEfficiency

Merc ML350 4Matic BlueEfficiency

The first generation ML had its moment of glory when it was featured in the famous Jurassic Park movie. Beyond that, in this country at least, it only appealed to Malaysians who wanted something different. Otherwise, the consensus seemed to be that it was pale in comparison with its German rivals. The ML soldiered on nevertheless and we now see it in third generation guise and there are appreciable differences, of course.

The change in wheelbase length is quite miniscule but the new ML does sit wider and lower than its predecessors. That does make it look sportier. Apparently,ground clearance was sacrificed to attain this urban look and the new ML sits nearly three inches closer to terra firma.

Exterior changes are subtle; in fact, those unfamiliar with the ML - and there are many- won't be able to tell the difference. Fancy LEDs are sprinkled all around the new body. More chrome bits are seen on the front and rear. The overall design edges more towards the classy rather than the rugged. It is easier imagining the ML sitting in a hotel lobby rather than wading through swamp land.

No surprise then that the inside is glitzier than the previous model. Mercedes-Benz still has the upper hand in cabin design. While BMW maintains its driver-centric yet barren interior and Audi tries to have the most amount of lighted buttons and knobs and switches, Mercedes-Benz sticks to the traditional luxury tone it knows so well, and it works. The ML's interior is by far the classiest in its category.

Under the sculpted hood is the updated engine which is still 3,498cc big and is still a V6. What has changed is the way fuel is fed into system. Now the engine sips fuel using direct injection. The result is increased horsepower (up by 34bhp) and lower consumption, 8.5L/100km.

The transmission is the 7G-TRONIC PLUS with Direct Select, which means you get to swap cogs using the paddles on the steering wheel or via the gear lever. Local specs get you the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive system that works together with the electronic stability software. No,it doesn't snow in Malaysia but the feeling that this luxury SUV can tackle mushy ice if it does snow here is pretty much alluring enough for the ML's target market.

Anyway, this ML certainly drives as well as Mercedes-Benz claims. The ML feels better planted than before. lt has less SUV roll and the steering feelback is a lot better. At least, we knew where the front types were pointed.

The best was the throttle response. There was an instantaneous reaction from the V6 engine. Previously, the response was not as fluid as this. It seemed like Unify had replaced the Pony Express to send signals to the V6. Okay,we are exaggerating but you do get the point right? Smoother throttle control allowed us to have better control of the ML, which in turn offered a better driving experience. Fuel consumption too was noticeably lower, averaging around 12L/100km during its stay with us.

On the undulating East Coast Expressway, the air suspension provided a super smooth ride at highway speeds. You could crank up the speed more, even at night when Mercedes-Benz's amazing headlight system 'reads' the road and adjusts the headlight' throw to offer fine visibility. lt goes into high beam when there is no oncoming traffic and dips when it is on an empty highway and stretches the light beam sideways, giving better visibility. So what,you may say. Well, it's good because we do have the odd cow or goat wandering onto our highways.

On rough roads, however, those big 21-inch wheels feel heavy and crash into holes in a slightly harsh manner. That's easily solved if you don't mind trading down to smaller wheels with thicker side walls. It would be a good investment in ride comfort.

All said, the ML has always been different from the rest. The interior, the classy design and the fact that there are not many MLs on the road gives it a certain air of exlusivity. That should appeal to the upper echelon of society.