The KL International Motor Show 2013 – Finally a show worth going for

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By now you would probably have come across gigabytes worth of electronic pages on a slew of new vehicle launches at KLIMS 2013 so I’m not going to bore you with the details (if not, then check out Paultan.org or livelifedrive.com latest updates). I’m just going to ‘sell’ you the idea of going to KLIMS 13 because quite frankly, if you’re one of those who, like me can’t afford to visit an overseas international motor show, this is one worthy of being internationally recognized.

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You’ll find …..

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• new car launches
• cars currently on sale
• cars your grandfather used to drive
• future concept cars
• prototypes
• beautiful, skimpily dressed models
• remote control car races
• race simulators
• automotive accessories and merchandise at a discount
• celebrities
• lucky draws where you can go home with brand new cars
• enough catalogs for you to make a book thick enough to shame the Britannica Encyclopedia

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Did I mention beautiful, skimpily dressed girls? Yes?

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Anyways, the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) and Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) has really outdone themselves this time. Not only is there enough eye candies of body works (both in human and metallic form), there are a great number of fun activities for Malaysians of all walks of life.

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Discontinued ….. but damn, the LFA still looks good.

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Let’s run through some of the new vehicle launches which, prior to this event is never before/rarely unveiled on our soils:-

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Toyota Previa (3rd generation Estima)

Type: MPV

Engine: 2.4litre DOHC with VVT-i, 125kW/6,000rpm, 224Nm/4,000rpm

Transmission: 4 speed automatic with Super ECT

Seating capacity: 7

Price: RM270,000 onwards

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Toyota Camry Hybrid (available in 2014)

Type: Hybrid D segment sedan

Engine: 2.5litre, 204PS (combined engine+electric motor)/5,700rpm, 213Nm/4,500rpm

Transmission: E-CVT

Price: To be advised

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Honda  Odyssey (5th generation)

Type: MPV

Engine: 2.4litre Earth Dreams DOHC i-VTEC, 175PS (129kW)/6,200rpm, 225Nm/4,000rpm

Transmission: CVT

Seating capacity: 7

Price: RM228,000 (EX variant), RM248,000 (EXV variant)

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Infiniti Q50 (available in 2014)

Type: Luxury sports sedan

Engine: 3.7litre V6, 328HP/7,000rpm, 365Nm/5,200rpm

Transmission: 7 speed auto

Seating capacity: 5

Price: To be advised

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Nissan Leaf

Type: Electric Vehicle, Compact Hatchback

Engine: AC synchronous electric motor, 107PS (80kW), 254Nm

Transmission: Single speed constant ratio

Seating capacity: 5

Price: RM168,800

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Volkswagen Polo 1.6 (available in 2014)

Type: Compact hatchback

Engine: 1.6litre Multi-point fuel injection, 105PS (77kW)/5,250rpm, 153Nm/3,800rpm

Transmission: 6 speed automatic with Tiptronic

Seating capacity: 5

Price: RM85,888 (without insurance)

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Citroen DS3 (available in 2014)

Type: Premium compact hatchback

Engine: 1.6litre VTi, 120BHP/6,000rpm, 160Nm / 4,250rpm

Transmission: 6 speed automatic with Tiptronic

Seating capacity: 5, 3 door

Price: To be advised

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Peugeot 2008 (available in 2014)

Type: Crossover

Engine:  1.6litre VTi, 122BHP/6,000rpm, 160Nm / 4,250rpm

Transmission: 6 speed automatic with Tiptronic

Seating capacity: 5

Price: estimated RM118,888

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Hyundai i40 (Sedan and Tourer)

Type: Sedan and Wagon

Engine: 2.0litre Nu Gasoline Direct Injection, 178PS(sedan) 177PS(tourer)/6,500rpm, 214Nm(sedan) 213 (tourer)/4,700rpm

Transmission: 6 speed automatic with Tiptronic

Seating capacity: 5

Price: RM 159,888 (sedan, OTR), RM178,888 (Tourer, OTR)

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Ford EcoSport Titanium (available in 2014)

Type: SUV

Engine: 1.5 litre Ti-VCT, 112PS /6,300rpm, 140Nm/4,400 rpm

Transmission: 6 speed dual clutch

Seating capacity: 5

Price: RM98,000 – RM108,000

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The number of concept cars on display here is like a new season fashion display at shopping malls. You’d have to be there personally to appreciate them, especially considering it must not be easy for the manufacturers to deliberately book the display model, transport it here to Malaysia, get the necessary approvals from the government, bring technical experts here, etc. If you’ve been involved in an exhibition before, you’d know it’s a lot of work entailing sleepless nights prior to the event. Here are some of the cars you can expect to find:

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The Toyota NS4

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The Honda EV-STER

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The Perodua GMZ Buddyz

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While you’re at Perodua’s booth, be sure to check out a model that lets you see what you can expect in terms of legroom from future Viva models

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The Hyundai i-oniq

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And you’ll find a few manufacturers offering regular models with dress-up options such as:-

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The Nissan Almera NISMO Performance Kit

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The Peugeot 408 Griffe edition

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The Isuzu D-Max X-series

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Lots of educational models for you to educate your 5 year olds such as:-

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How does it feel like having x-ray vision while looking at a VW Golf MK VII

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Or peeking underneath the chassis of a Toyobaru.

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And some coming-soon and hopefully-coming-soon models:-

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The Hyundai Veloster Turbo, 1.6litre Turbo GDI with 201HP, 264Nm

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 The Hyundai i30, 1.8lire Nu MPI engine

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The new Ford Fusion (next generation Mondeo) Hybrid?

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Ford Fiesta ST

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The Ford Fiesta 1.0litre Ecoboost

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Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid

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The Nissan Note

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You should also be aware who is NOT present in this event (so as to not waste your time looking for them). Most notably missing is Proton which, in the absence of any official statement from the company is speculated that they were late in confirming their booths and by the time they got around going that, most of the ‘island’ spaces were booked. Some might argue that it could be a business decision where with the same amount of money thrown into getting booths at KLIMS, you could probably organize a mini carnival elsewhere (like what Mazda is doing currently in 1-Utama where they launched the facelifted CX-9 and Biante MPV, with a special preview of the new Mazda 3 SkyActiv). Unlike Mazda which is run purely as a private business entity, I doubt Proton, which still has ties to the government (read: the primary ‘Face’ of Malaysia in the automotive world) can afford to be away from a milestone event IF there was space.

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Also not taking part in this year’s event are:-

• Audi
• BMW & Mini
• Merccedez
• Suzuki
• Land Rover
• Alfa Romeo
• Chevrolet
• Most of the China brands
• Jaguar
• Bentley
• Kia
• Lotus
• Mitsubishi
• Renault
• Supercars brands like Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, etc.
• Not a single bike marque

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Despite that, it’s certainly worth the  RM15 for weekdays and RM20 for weekends. Children under the age of 12 are charged RM5, parents with family of up to 5 children under the age of 12 pays RM30 on weekdays and RM40 on weekends. KLIMS 13 runs from 15 – 24 November and is open from 10am to 10pm. If the above fails to excite you, how about a chance to win a Toyota Prius 1.8l Luxury or a Honda CR-Z? And, if you’re a Maybank customer, you stand a chance to win this:-

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A Beetle 2.0l TSi worth almost RM220,000.

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All in all, it might not be perfect but seriously, it’s the best motor show organized to date and it is very unlikely the props and models shown here will ever be seen on our shores again. Don’t miss it and see you there!

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