Latest MG Rover News

News : MG ROVER Group

The erstwhile symbol of the British car industry, the last British car maker, which is not owned by foreign companies, MG Rover Group, was sold to the China's Nanjing Automobile Corp. The information about the deal was announced by the auditing company PriceWaterhouseCoopers, which conducts the external management of MG Rover's assets.

CHINESE bosses sought to dispel fears Nanjing Automobile could dump Longbridge after snapping up MG Rover's assets for £50 million

Reports suggested it could even seek to team up with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation by asking its bidding rival to take a majority stake in MG Rover to take the large parts of MG Rover's remains it did not require.
The Chinese have indicated that between 1,000 and 2,000 people could be employed in the UK with up to 80,000 cars a year being built in the UK in the next five years.
The new owner intends to move a part of MG Rover Group's production capacities to China. Vehicles of the Chinese assembly will be delivered to EU and British markets.

MG Rover bankruptcy
MG Rover was trying to solve its financial problems for almost ten years before the enterprise announced bankruptcy in April of the current year. BMW owned the concern before 2000, although the German car giant failed to extricate the British car maker from the crisis: BMW intended to shut down the production in Great Britain.The social pressure made the German enterprise decline plans to optimize MG Rover's business: BMW sold the industry to the British company Phoenix Venture Holdings for only ten pounds sterling.

A little bit more about MG Rover Group
MG Rover was the last independent mass-production producer of the British motor industry. The company was formed by the de-merger of MG and Rover from BMW in 2000, with Government support being given to the Phoenix Venture Holdings bid over an Apax Partners bid, due to proposed job losses by Apax. The company went into administration in April, 2005, with Phoenix handing over responsibility to PwC (the administrator). After much speculation about possible buyers (with around 100 proposed bidders) a list of three bidders was produced in July, 2005. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), Project Kimber (a British group led by David James), and Nanjing Automobile Group.

MG Rover Cars

MG Rover ZR

MG ROVER ZR is a range of performance ‘supermini’ cars, with a dedicated sports personality. The purposeful appearance of the new MG Rover ZR is complemented by a new front design, dominated by a bold new grille, its surround painted to match the body colour and incorporating bright finish mesh, finished with the traditional MG octagon badge.

The MG Rover ZR is a particularly attractive ‘hot hatch’, built in 3- and 5-door body styles and available in a variety of engines and trim levels

MG Rover ZS

MG Rover ZS is available in both 5-door hatchback and 4-door saloon body style, and features the 2.5-litre KV6 engine with manual transmission producing exceptional performance or the highly rated 1.8-litre lightweight K Series engine with the option of selectable Stepspeed CVT.

Two derivatives are available; the MG Rover ZS 120 and the MG Rover ZS 180. Each features a sports character that has been engineered throughout, with a sports tuned suspension, brakes and steering to transform the driving feel.

MG Rover TF

In 1995, sports car enthusiasts were delighted by the launch of the MGF. This marked the return of the MG marque to volume-produced open sports cars for the first time since 1980.

Toyota concept suv - new Toyota suv

Toyota concept suvs
In 2004, Toyota showed that it had made Toyota Kluger Highlander into the world's first mass-market seven-passenger hybrid SUV. (hybrid toyota vue from gm) .

Toyota Highlander Hybrid review
Toyota new models - Toyota Hybrid Suvs.
The new Toyota SUV Kluger shares the Toyota Camry platform with its Lexus RX Toyota Harrier cousin and comes in 5- and 7-seater configuration.
Initially, the Toyota Kluger - Highlander suv was a regular SUV driven by an internal combustion engine, but later Toyota introduced a new hybrid suv version, the Kluger Hybrid SUV (first named Toyota Concept SUV Kluger). The new Toyota suv Highlander Hybrid was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Toyota began offering the Highlander Hybrid to the public in July 2005 (with a model year of 2006 - hybrid toyota vue).

The Toyota Concept suv - Highlander Hybrid is priced starting at US$33,030, or US$8,750 more than the base price of the regular Highlander vehicle. This price includes additional equipment beyond just the Toyota hybrid suv drive mechanism. A Toyota Highlander Limited model starts at US$37,890. All wheel drive adds US$1,400 to the price of either the standard or limited edition.

Toyota has sold a cumulative 306,862 hybrids between 1997 and Nov. 2004
"The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the world's first seven-passenger hybrid SUV and marks the launch of a second all-new hybrid vehicle from Toyota Division," said Jim Press, executive vice president and COO, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. when the new Toyota suv was launched.

Like the four-cylinder Toyoa Prius hybrid car (gas-electric hybrid), the 3.3-litre V6-equipped t new Toyota car model Highlander Hybrid will be powered by a new version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain.
The system was specifically developed to meet the load-carrying requirements of a mid-size SUV. The system features a larger-capacity battery that will deliver nearly double the power of the battery in the Toyota Prius hybrid car. An all-new high-speed electric motor will operate at twice the speed and deliver more than twice the power as the motor in the Prius Hybrid. With combined peak-system power projected at approximately 270 horsepower, the new system will improve upon the V6 Highlander's less-than-eight-second zero-to-60 acceleration.
The new Toyota suv Highlander Hybrid will come standard-equipped with front-wheel-drive and offer electric four-wheel-drive with intelligence (4WD-i). The new Toyota car models with 4WD-i are equipped with front and rear electric motors that will deliver balanced power to all four wheels, providing instantaneous acceleration.

2005 Toyota Concept SUV - 2005 New Toyota SUV launch

Toyota Motor announced on March 22 the nationwide launch of two new Toyota hybrid sports utility vehicles (SUVs), the Toyota Harrier 3.0 Hybrid and the Toyota Kluger Hybrid. Both new toyota car models are equipped with Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II), a high-power system newly developed around the concept of Hybrid Synergy Drive that represents the fusion of ecology and power. The new Toyota vehicles also feature the E-Four (electric 4-wheel drive) system, which drives the rear wheels using the rear motor, and advanced Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which coordinates control and achieves an optimum balance between drive power, steering, and braking. The new Toyota Hybrid SUVs are powered by a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine and a high-performance front motor to achieve a fuel economy of 17.8km/liter, the highest within their classes when compared with vehicles of similar engine displacement, as well as emission levels 75% lower than 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles.

The Toyota Harrier 3.0 Hybrid and Kluger Hybrid are the first hybrid SUVs to be sold in the domestic market.

Note on the new Toyota suvs:
The Toyota Harrier SUV is known as the Lexus RX abroad, while the Toyota Kluger Hybrid SUV goes by the name Highlander.

The new Toyota hybrid car models will also be available in the United States, Europe and the Oceania region starting between April and June, the Japan's largest automaker said.
They are Toyota's first hybrid vehicles to be launched overseas since the Toyota Prius Hybrid Car.

There is a video download with the launch of the Toyota new car models (the Harrier 3.0 and Kluger Hybrid SUV in Japan). It is about 6 minutes long and features both new Toyota car models. Click here to watch the launch of the new Toyota suvs.

In the news: GM : Hybrid Toyota
Some sources claim that Toyota is open to supplying its hybrid technology to GM (General Motors) (GM currently has an agreement with DaimlerChrysler AG to jointly develop a "two-mode" hybrid system by 2007 for use in bigger vehicles like pickup trucks. ( Hybrid Toyota - Vue Saturn). For the moment there is nothing concrete on the GM Hybrid Toyota Technology deal.

Some info about the Toyota Alphard Hybrid

The Toyota Alphard Hybrid is an Toyota hybrid truck and features the Toyota Hybrid System-CVT (continuously variable transmission) (THS-C), which employs a hybrid battery with greater output than previous hybrid batteries and boasts better energy management. The system on this Toyota Hybrid truck comprises a 2.4-liter high-efficiency gasoline engine, front motor and Super CVT and works in unison with an E-Four electric 4WD system that regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel-propelling electric motor and coordinates electric power distribution to all four wheels. An ECB (Electrically Controlled Brake system) provides efficient wheel-by-wheel brake control.
Together, these features allow the Toyota Alphard Hybrid to simultaneously achieve groundbreaking high fuel efficiency, low emission levels and outstanding maneuverability and cruising stability.

The Toyota Alphard Hybrid also qualifies as an ultra-low emission vehicle achieving emission levels 75% lower than 2000 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles. Taking advantage of its innovative hybrid system, the Toyota Alphard Hybrid truck can generate up to 1,500 watts of power while it is stationary or moving. The Toyota Hybrid truck has standard household 100-volt AC power outlets that can be used to power a variety of home appliances, adding a new dimension to outdoor and business activities.
The Toyota Alphard Hybrid is not a new toyota vehicle but the technology used to build it is the foundament of the new Toyota car models (and I mean new Toyota Hybrid cars).

The New FJ40 Toyota car model

On February 11 2005 Toyota unveiled its forst retro vehicle at the Chicago Auto Show, but while pulling forward design cues from one of the most recognized SUVs of all time, the legendary Land Cruiser FJ40, the new Toyota car model (four-wheeler) offers a lot of modern attributes.
The Toyota concept suv and the new Toyota production model, which hardly differ externally, were designed at Newport Beach.
"The New Toyota FJ40 Cruiser will deliver true off-road ruggedness, image and performance at a very low price, making it highly accessible for a large volume of young buyers." said Don Esmond, senior vice president and general manager, Toyota Division, who introduced the production in Chicago.
A few images with this new Toyota SUV - The New Toyota FJ40

Proton new models

Actually I will post about Proton new car models as long as other Proton cars topics (Proton Gen2 and Satri R3)

Before talking about latest proton models let's talk first about the company.
Proton, short for Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional (National Car Project), is a Malaysian car manufacturer initiated in 1983 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The main plant is located in Shah Alam. Malaysia's second Proton plant is in Tanjong Malim, Perak.
Based on technology and parts from Mitsubishi, production of the first model, the Proton Saga, began in 1985. Until the end of the 1990s, the car's logo featured the crest from Malaysia's coat of arms, featuring an crescent and a fourteen-pointed star. Proton now uses a logo featuring a stylized tiger head. See the picture for the Proton Logo image.
Proton currently holds a market share of over 60 per cent in Malaysia.
Proton acquired the British car manufacturer Lotus Cars from Bugatti in 1996.
Proton has operations in the United Kingdom and Australia and is aggressively marketing their cars in several other countries.

In December 2004, Proton purchased a majority share in MV Agusta of Italy. MV Agusta is the manufacturer of MV Agusta, Husqvarna, and Cagiva motorcycles.

Proton New Model : Proton Savvy
This a 2005 new proton model car. ( proton tiara new model, code name proton trm)
Proton Tiara was a compact car based on the Citroën AX, built under licence by Proton from 1996 to 2000.

Proton Savvy (Proton Sassy) was launched on June 8, 2005 (the first new model in 16 months). This new proton car is a 1,200 cc 5-door compact car. The Proton Savvy car is the replacement model for the Proton Tiara (proton trm - proton tiara replacement model). The car is fitted with an engine and a gearbox sourced from Renault. (this proton new car model is known since it was an proton car prototype - some pictures of the expected proton new car leaked on the web a few month ago).

This latest proton car model (Proton Savvy) was receiving good ratings and great attention from public.
This new car stopped traffic! Literally. There was an unusual congestion along Jalan Puchong caused by people slowing down to steal a glimpse of the new Proton car Savvy model. Not only that but the congestion was along both directions of the road.

The bumper and grill of the Proton Savvy new car has that same look with the Proto Waja and Proto Gen2.

You can see more details on this new proton car model on the official Proton website and because the Proton Savvy is the latest Proton car model, this new car will be on the front page. You can read there full specifications, details and of course Proton Savy images and pictures from all possible angles.

For this year (2005) Protonis expected to launch at least 2 2005 new car models ( for now they are just proton car prototypes).

Late last year, Proton signed a cooperation agreement with Volkswagen, which allows the German auto maker to use Proton's plants to assemble VWs for sale in Southeast Asia. In exchange, VW will provide tech assistance to Proton. In recent years, Proton has set aside tens of millions of dollars for research and development, and its execs hope that collaboration with VW will improve the quality of both its systems and its cars.



Other great Proton cars (other than Proton TRM - proton tiara new model)

Proton Gen2
Proton Gen2 is the first fully Malaysian-developed (including chassis and engine) Proton car and the replacement model for the Proton Wira; Proton Gen2 was launched on February 8, 2004 and was the latest proton car model before the release of Proton Savy TRM. It was called The first "real" Proton model, complete with engine designed and built by Proton.
You might be proud to have a Proton Gen2 parked on your driveway, yourself. It breaks no new ground style-wise, but the car looks neat and well-proportioned from all angles, while the long wheelbase gives it a well-planted stance on the road. The front and rear lamp clusters are nicely detailed, too.
GEN2 has been styled to attract a wider customer base; the Lotus Design Studio has had a major influence on the design of the curvy muscular bodywork that looks simply sensational in a range of new colours. From the bee sting aerial to the dashboard instrument panel, reminiscent of the Lotus roundel, the GEN2’s sporting pedigree is undeniable.

With its light and nimble steering, the Proton Gen2 feels alive even at low speeds and it executes quick changes of direction without missing a beat.

Proton Gen2 car model Specs:
1.6Engine: 1,597cc, 16V in-line 4
Max Power: 110bhp at 6,000rpm
Max Torque: 148Nm at 4,000rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed manual
Top Speed: 190km/h
0-100 km/h: 10.5 seconds




Proton Satria and Proton Satria R3

Proton Satria is a 3-door sedan based on the Mitsubishi Mirage.
Proton Satria GTI is a 3-door sports hatchback. This was Proton's attempt at the sporty, performance hatchback market. Very popular in Malaysia and has a large following in Australia. This Proton car is powered by a 4-cylinder 1.8 liter DOHC engine.
Proton Satria R3 is a limited edition road-legal race-spec Satria with only 150 units in production. It features a double seam-welded lightened chassis and a tweaked engine with more aggresive cam timing.

The Proton Satria R3 special edition is the fruit of the labour put in by the Proton Motorsports Division, within which the Race Rally and Research team is housed. They have successfully taken a stock Satria GTi, and have made it lighter, stiffer, stronger, and faster. At the same time, they have also succeeded in making it look more appealing than the old ‘you-can-have-it-in-any-colour-as-long-as-it’s-silver’ look.
The 1.8 litre, 4G93 DOHC engine that powers the Proton Satria R3 is one of the most reliable Mitsubishi engines ever made. This very same engine powered the early rally Mitsubishi EVO’s and is known to be practically unbreakable. In naturally aspirated form, it delivers 140 bhp at 6100 rpm in the R3. Translated to the road, it moves the R3 from zero to 100 km/hr in 8.6 seconds, and gives a top speed of 205 km/hr. Torque is 168Nm at 5600 rpm. Maximum speed is 205 km/hr.

The Proton Motorsports Division builds each R3 car by hand, and they only made 2 a day. One thing is certain; this is a car that was built with the motoring enthusiast in mind. You could, if you want, take this new proton racing car model out of the showroom and go straight to the racetrack.

A great place for Satria R3 photos and other information is the Race Rally Research official website, the offical website of the Motorsports Division, Proton.








Every Proton new model is expected with full attention from media , public and competitors, there are a lot of people that say that the proton cars are not worth it but there are also a great number of fans taht just love the Proton car models. Well, I guess that you have to try it before making an opinion...

Free online car racing games

Play free online car racing games
Any car lover want to play a free online race car game in his spare time. So I looked into this kind of resource and I tried to make a selection of the nicest free online car racing games.

Free car games to play online

Rural car racer game
Finish 8 laps in first place to progress to the next level. It is a great online car racing game, the controls are the keyboard arrows, the control is pretty good. You race you car against one oponent. Also you can play with a friend (each of you controling a car).
Play this free online car racing game or you can download this car racing game to play it on your computer even if you are not online.

3d car racing game to play online
3D Car Driver is a free fun online car driving game. Drive your car around the curves, up and down the hills, and around the windy mountainside road. You must be careful to avoid the other traffic.
Instructions: A - Gas, Z- Brake, Left/Right Arrows - Turn
play this free online car racing game

Another free car game to play online: 4 Wheelin' Jeep Driving Game
Have fun playing this challenging 4 wheel jeep online driving game. You can choose various options by selecting them from the drop-down menus on the applet. There are 6 different tracks for you to drive down. Be careful not to hit the trees or run off the track.
play for free this race car game

Cone Crazy
Not really a car racing game but this online game puts you to drive a car, so I liked it.
The goal of this Cone crazy game is to knock down as many cones as possible within 30 seconds time limit. Use your ARROW KEYS to control the car. Knock down cones for points and avoid obsticles and potholes. Lets Drive!
Play this free car game online here.

Highway Hunter Information
Highway Hunter is a pretty short car racing game. Your aim is to shoot other cars on the highway, avoid the police and create as much carnage as possible. Use ARROW KEYS to direct your cars and "A" and "S" KEYS to shoot. Have fun! It is very nice , I like it a lot.
Play this free online game here

Park Lot 2
Can you park and pick up cars fast enough to keep your job! Play this game online here

Mini Jump Information
Not a car racing game, but really nice graphics and a lot of fun: Run and jump, throw your body through the air with reckless abandonand try to land in a MINI Convertible without hurting yourself too badly. TIP! - Try pressing 6,7,8 or 9 keys on your keybord while you are in the air.
Play this game online here.

Drag Racer 3 - free car game to play online
This free online car racing game is the most complete car race flash game online! Race your Customized Ride in tournament or head to head challenges. Paint, Tune & Upgrade your favorite car. Select from over 60 cars from America, Europe & Asia.
Drag Racer free online car game

Race X - free online car racing game
Great for kids. Race your car against one of your friends. play it online here

Rally race game
Choose a vehicle and race you hearts out. (Some vehicles are more suited to certain tracks - but it all depends on your driving style!)
You can download this online car race game to play for free whenever you want.

Gone in 60 seconds
You're Randall "Memphis" Raines, and you must steal 10 cars to save your brother Kip and get $200,000 in cash. You've got 10 minutes ­ which means each car has to be GONE IN 60 SECONDS.
You have to race the stolen car to the warehouse without getting caught by the police and collect keys to the next level. Avoid hitting all kinds of obstacles or the value of the car will decrease. The small map in the upper left corner displays your current position and the location of the warehouse. Click for this free car game to play online.

Chase 2000 free online car racing game
This is another car racing game where you have to race with your opponents without crashing into them and collect the golden balls. You can also grab the power-ups along the way. Be careful while dodging your opponents because they have no intention to let you go through so easily.
Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to control your car and hit the Space Bar to collect the balls and power-ups to increase your health.
Click here to play.

Brekky Race
You have to race over a breakfast table with food scattered all over. Follow the Blue Arrows for the correct direction.Lookout for the Green Arrows as they mark the exit points for each stage, but how you get to them is up to you!!!
Above all...make sure you're the first across the finish line! This is a funny free online car racing game. Clik here to play

Snow Plow
It was a white xmas in Boston but now that the holiday season is over the cleanup operation has begun, Your job is the collect the snowflakes and other festive goodies... This is a great free online car truck game, race you truck in this nice game.

Free online car truck game 4x4 Rally
Extreme 4x4 on and off road racing game, Race online against 4 other drivers on ice, through cities, swamps, deserts, forest etc... with score board. This is a challenging rally game of 4x4s vehicles. Get into your 4x4 truck and race with other opponents with significantly high artificial intelligence! You have to drive your 4x4 through various terrains from grasslands to ice lands, dense cityscape to deserts and also inside a giant's body!
This game will test your racing skills as you have to finish in the top three to move on to the next track. The game offers the ability to customize the appearance of your 4x4. The crux is that, this is an action packed, competitive game which you can take as a challenge!
Use the Arrow Keys to control your 4x4. Try to complete all the levels and make it to the hall of fame. Good Luck with this free car racing game.
Clik here to play online this free car game

I hope you liked this selection of free online car racing games . I will post more online car race games to play for free later.

2006 New car models

All about the 2006 new car models, 2005 new car models, car reviews, car news and articles.