BMW engines that go bump in the night

MIDNIGHT, just outside Cologne.

It's the later side of late and - having landed less than half an hour earlier at Cologne-Bonn Airport, all that's on my mind is reaching my destination as quickly as possible and catching up on some much-needed shut-eye. Luckily, I have the back seat of a BMW 5-Series Touring, a derestricted autobahn and a driver who knows how to make the best of both. The smooth, smart and devastatingly quick way to head for your German home from home.

Or rather it would have been had the Munich machine's temperature gauge not suddenly shot up and steam not started swirling out from beneath its bonnet, miles from anywhere. I don't know much German, but it doesn't take a master linguist to work out what the driver's instant analysis meant. "Auto kaput"...

As we stood in the darkness, perched on the hard shoulder of what basically is Germany's equivalent of the M1, I looked at the sorry-looking executive express and reflected on all the times my own motors had left me stranded in similar situations. The time the otherwise unremarkably reliable Rover, for instance, mysteriously cut out for no obvious reason at all. Or the one where my Mini decided to shed a wheel at 40mph. Or the one where my Mazda broke its propshaft - or rather, I sort of broke it.

In the end, it ended far more smoothly than any of us might have imagined - within half an hour the Beemer was on the back of a truck dispatched by ADAC, Germany's answer to the AA, and we were back on track, headed for our destination. What a destination it was!

The place chosen to mend the unhappy estate wasn't just any mechanic's workplace - it was an oldtimer garage, or classic car specialist in Petrolhead English. Even in the half light of the silly hours of the morning I could see it was packed with classics in near concours condition, with everything from Alfa Giulias and Giuliettas to Fiat 124 Spiders, homegrown favourites like the Volkswagen Beetle and a BMW 2002, and a right-hand-drive V12 E-Type with a curious mix of local German plates and dials still set to miles - rather than kilometres - an hour.

In the space of an hour I'd seen two very different extremes of German motoring, and finally made it to bed at about 2am shattered but surprisingly enlightened for the experience.

It just goes to show you not all of those clichés about German reliability are true...

Lydiate Classic Car Show 2012

PETROLHEADS from across the north west have helped to raise hundreds of pounds at a classic car and bike show held in Lydiate this weekend.

More than 100 owners of cars, motorcycles and military vehicles from decades gone by packed into the field alongside Lydiate Parish Hall today to help raise hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

Ben Spears, one of the show’s organisers, told Life On Cars: "It’s gone incredibly well this year, with it being better organised and the weather being fantastic for us. 

"The turnout has been fabulous and we got a lot of variety this year, with everything from the scooter boys and the bikers to the vintage cars and the modern classics. There really was something there for everyone, and it was all for a very good cause."

Visitors to the show were not only treated to upwards of 100 cars of all ages, but also displays from local motorcycle and scooter clubs, a row of bubble cars from the 1950s and 1960s and the chance to buy an American pick-up truck in a silent auction to help raise funds for the charity. Among the other attractions were stalls, refreshments and the show’s first ever autojumble.

Plans are already underway for an even bigger event in Lydiate next year, to help boost the amount raised for Cancer Research UK. Life On Cars took these pictures at today's event:

If you've got an event or motoring story you'd like to share with Life On Cars, get in touch by looking at the About Us section or simply leave a comment below.

Fire up the... Hyundai Veloster

LIKE a silly hat on Ladies Day at the Grand National, coupes are all about style. Even if it's useless at just about everything else, if they've got the looks then we'll buy them.

Hyundai knows this all too well, having had a string of hits with various models called simply the Coupe, which took ordinary enough ingredients and then garnished them with gorgeous sports car styling. It was a Ferrari 456GT for a fraction of the price. So how does the Veloster, the company's new coupe contender, stack up?

Very well indeed if what you're looking for are extra doors, because the new arrival uses the same trick the MINI Clubman pulled off a couple of years ago by offering you an extra opening on the left-hand side, making it usefully easier to get into than most of its rivals.

It's also, considering it's a coupe and therefore something you'd forgive for being a tad cramped, roomier in the rear and bigger of boot than you'd rightfully expect it to be.

Yet as a coupe connoisseur, you'll be buying the Veloster for the looks, and while I know style's a very subjective thing it's where I reckon the Veloster starts to fall apart. It's striking enough at the front and its proportions hide that third door beautifully but at the back it's got all the flow and grace of a crumpled piece of paper.

It might be practical but it just doesn't quite gel, and nor does the way it drive. It's an easy and refined experience not a million miles from its i30 hatchback sibling, but for something setting its stall out as being sporty the feel and handling are nothing special. There's nothing wrong with it, but nor is it anything to thrill or excite you.

The Veloster's the one to go for if you need your coupe to come with a pinch of practicality but if you don't I'd go for either Volkswagen's Scirocco, which is much more fun to drive, Honda's CR-Z, which is cramped but an eco-friendly hoot to drive, or Peugeot's RCZ, which wins in the style stakes.

Hyundai's latest coupe contender is by no means a bad car, but it isn't an exceptional one either.

Caister Castle Motor Museum no go for photographers is a poor show

THE museum was a treasure chest, stashed with motors beyond even the means of millionaires. On the calibre of classics alone this collection, ten minutes outside of the Norfolk Broads, should be the east of England's number one destination for car connoisseurs.

So why couldn't I recommend the Caister Castle Motor Museum?

It is, after all, a car museum in a beautiful corner of the English countryside, with the boats and the Broads on one side and the calm beaches of the North Sea coast on the other. The £10 admission price, while significantly more than you'd pay to get into, say, the Lakeland Motor Museum at Holker Hall, also gives you access to Britain's oldest brick-built castle, and a tranquil woodland trail.

That's before you get to the 170-strong collection of classic cars, which aside from being worth in excess of many millions of pounds features some of the fastest, rarest and agonisingly beautiful machines ever made. I would love to be able to give you a taster, for instance, of the museum's Mercedes 300SL Gullwing. Or let you weigh up whether you'd save up for the lovingly-preserved 1959 Mini or the Cooper S rally competitor parked next to it. Or consider which of the Rolls Royces and Bentleys you'd like parked outside your imaginary mansion, but I can't.

Unlike just about every classic car museum, show, parade and club gathering I've ever been to, Caister Castle is absolutely insistent that there is no photography of the collection.

This single shot of a Lotus 33 F1 car is all I've got to show you, because as soon as my smartphone had taken the first shot I was asked in rather stern terms to stop. To be fair to the museum staff, there was a sign at the entrance advising of the photography ban, but it was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it job and I know I wasn't the only petrolhead there frustrated by it.

"Put yourself in the perspective of some of the cars' owners", a restaurateur I got talking to long after I'd left the museum, suggested. "If you'd put your pride and joy in there and left it with somebody else to look after, would you want people taking pictures of it?"

My answer, as someone who not only likes to look at classic cars, but actually owns one too? Yes, I would, and if I didn't the last place I'd stash my automotive antique away is in a museum, right in the public eye. I can understand restrictions on flash photography in art museums, because of the damage done to the paintings. I'd even understand, from a media man's point of view, if Caister weren't too keen on commercial photography, but a total ban on all photography defeats the point of it being a museum (and one of the more expensive ones at that).

Part of the pride of owning a classic is knowing that it keeps a bit of the world's cultural and industrial heritage alive, and the least I can do in return for all the tax and insurance breaks I get is to let enthusiasts take a picture of it. To ban them is to alienate an audience interested in keeping these beautiful old cars on the road, where they belong.

Caister, to be fair, is a very diverse collection of stunning cars, looked after by proper car enthusiasts who deserve a lot of credit. Until the ban on photography - something which goes against the principle of showing off classic cars - is lifted, however, I really couldn't recommend it.

[Road Test] - Minibus Daihatsu All New Xenia R Sporty 13 AT 2012

XeniA'ddiction

 

 

Indonesia's consumers' love has increased even more since the emergence of Daihatsu All New Xenia. With a new face and latest features installed, the car has strengthened its image as one of the most desired family vehicles in Indonesian.

Literally, the word 'addiction' could mean 'excessive desire over things'. And if I may ask, what kind of vehicle do you want?

Judging from the national automotive market's demand, a vehicle that can hold many passengers with bigger trunk load at an affordable price will definitely become the main choice for consumers.

Multi-purpose vehicle such as the Daihatsu Xenia is an interesting choice for families in Indonesia. Since its introduction in 2004, the twin brother of Avanza has been drawing the consumers' attention, thanks to those factors above. It is undeniable that these two vehicles remain as the favourite vehicles for families in Indonesia.

Last year, on November 9th, 2011, PT. Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) re-launched the latest generation of their low MPV under by the name All New Xenia.

Hoping to retain the people's love towards their low MPV was shown through its latest stunning looks.

Exterior

Consumer's desire to own the latest MPV from Daihatsu seems unstoppable, especially with its drawing new looks. Comparing the Xenia to its predecessor, much have changed in terms of its looks.

PT. ADM has granted the all new Xenia with new stylish head lamps and better lighting. Arched grille smeared with chrome and applied new design on its bumper to complete the dynamic look of the latest Xenia.

The A pillar is now more slender, symbolising that the automaker built this 7-seater vehicle to be more aerodynamic.

According to them, this characteristic made the All-New Xenia to be steadier when sprinting while at the same time being more fuel efficient.

The car also sports new 14-inch rims and lighted door handles.

In addition to that, rear view mirror cover has been integrated with indicator lights to help warn other drivers of your presence in darker areas when making a turn.

Moving on to the rear, the installation of rear wiper and back opener is a new thing (there were none in the previous version) which will ease in opening the trunk door.

 

 

 

 

 

[Nissan Evalia] This amount will help increase Nissan sales for the first semester of 2012

For those of you who are looking for an elegant family car, there is a following car news Nissan products are highly suitable for use for the family car  

This amount will help increase Nissan sales for the first semester of 2012.

Nissan Evalia presence somewhat breathes a cool air to the national automotive industry, particularly to the family vehicle class. In just a month after its launching, the Evalia has already been booked over 3.500 units.

Evalia's launching event also created a momentum that boosts PT Nissan Motor Indonesia (NMI) sales in the first smester of 2012. Within the period of January to June 2012, NMI has managed to set a new record with 32.826 units, having it increased by 25% from last year's period (24.525 units).

"It is Nissan's commitment in providing an appropriate vehicle for Indonesian market. Along with this achievement, we are certain that the customers are putting a high level of trust towards Nissan products", opens Kintaro Izumida, President Director NMI.

Izumida also points out Evalia's success in offering an alternative choice for a family vehicle which complimented with an elegant design, spacious cabin, easy to drive, fuel efficient and affordable.

Nissan's new record also been influenced by Grand Livina's contribution with sales as much as 17.471 units, Nissan March with 5.239 units and Nissan Juke with 4.737 units. 

 

[Cool Minibus] 17 thousand units have been sold, Avanza is Toyota's leader

 In June alone, Toyota Avanza has been sold over than 17.061 units.

PT Toyota Astra Motor (TAM) has just finished their sales report for the first semester in 2012. 42% increase appeared in their report and this was caused by none other than the successful sales of Toyota Avanza as 17.061 units have been sold.

Toyota's sole distributor in Indonesia yet again recorded the highest sales number in June, which is 37.177 units. The number has increased 42% from the same period in 2011.

Toyota Avanza and Innova which plays in the passenger vehicle pool still in the lead with total sales of 34.472 units. Biggest contributor remains in Avanza side as 17.061 units have been sold while 6.913 units were contributed by Innova.

Increase also apparent from the compact car 4x2 All New Toyota Yaris, having been sold for 2.920 units, Toyota rush with 3.286 units (SUV class), Dyna 6-tyres version as the representative from commercial vehicle class with 1.295 units and Hilux from the pickup class with 1.265 units. Rounding up Toyota's total sales for the period between January to June 2012 have reached 202.231 units.

"We are thankful for this positive achievement up till the end of this semester, aside from being supported by the healthy growth of Indonesia's economic, the increasing trust from our customers also plays as the main factor in our success, we would like to say thanks to our customers", said Johnny Darmawan, President Director PT Toyota Astra Motor. 

Do you interest with the this product? so lets go to the Toyota Dealer for indent