SPONSORED VIDEO - Toyota Innovation

Many years ago, many thought that the concept of hybrid cars is impossible, let alone hydrogen cars. Now, you can easily spot a hybrid car on the road while electric cars slowly gaining their presence. Toyota is one of the good example of car manufacturers which pushed the boundaries and made the unreachable possible. 

Founded in 1937, Toyota then introduced the first generation of Prius in 1997, a bold statement of Toyota's commitment towards producing environmental friendly hybrid vehicle. Since then, Prius is already in its 3rd generation form. Toyota Prius as well as Prius C, a smaller hybrid hatchback by Toyota can be spotted on the road of Malaysia. 

As you can see from the picture above, there are dominoes surrounding the Prius. Please watch the Dominoes video below (not Jessie J's hit song 'Domino', mind you) to get a clearer idea of how Toyota is linked to dominoes:

(You can check out more Toyota's videos and subscribe here)

Pretty amazing isn't it the video? Usually dominoes fall down, but it is the opposite in the video. Why? It shows the spirit of Toyota, picking themselves up and strive for excellence. Mass-producing hybrid cars is a good example of Toyota's perseverance in making the world a more sustainable planet.

"One great idea leads to the next"

Plug-in hybrid vehicle is then introduced to maximise efficiency of a car. Its battery can be recharged using household power outlet, and the car can be operated fully in electric mode, with no CO2 emitted from the car. If the battery is running low, the car will switch its mode into hybrid so that you won't be stranded on the road!

The latest innovation from Toyota is the Toyota FCV. Fuel Cell Vehicle produces zero emission, thanks to the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to power the electric motor. Moreover, hydrogen is abundant in our atmosphere, making it a good choice of resource to power the future of automobile. 

More details of the FCV as well as other models from Toyota can be found in Toyota's Global Website. You can like Toyota's Facebook page and follow its Google+ page to discover more on how Toyota is contributing to a cleaner environment!

*Post sponsored by Toyota, but all thoughts are our own.

Hyundai Xcent – Xcellent, Xciting, Xcent

The compact sedans or sub-4 m cars make up as much as 80% of entry level mid-size sedans in India. The bulk of sales came primarily from two models – Honda Amaze and Maruti Swift Dzire. These two highly successive models might intimidate any car manufacturer. But Hyundai is definitely not one of them and has entered the fray with their new Xcent. The Hyundai Xcent comes in the price range of Rs. 4.65 to 7.38 lakh.

Based on the Grand i10 and available with petrol and diesel options, the Xcent in true Hyundai fashion is well priced too. The design is neat and proportionate, especially given the constraints faced while designing a sub-4 m sedan. The Grand i10 and the Xcent are identical till the rear doors. Styling has restrained the iteration of Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design language. The tail section is very well integrated with the rest of the body, though it looks a bit stubby. The shoulder line flows smoothly into the large wrap around tail lights and the rear section gets some details too, a sculpted bumper and a lip at the top of the tail gate. The tail gate opens to reveal a sizeable 407 L boot. 

The front facade has swept back headlamps, chrome plated radiator grille and trapezoidal air dam incorporated on the body colored front bumpers.

The diesel unit is a three-cylinder 1.1 L U2 CRDi engine with a maximum power of 71 bhp @ 4000 rpm and peak torque of 180 Nm @ 1750 rpm and is mated to 5-speed manual transmission system. The U2 CRDi engine on the Xcent has been tweaked around to offer more power and torque. This includes an electronically controlled turbocharger which makes it much more precise and increases the overall torque by 13%. The power delivery is extremely linear, the acceleration smooth, and the engine noise absolutely cut out from inside the cabin. 

The 4-cylinder 1.2 L Kappa dual VTVT petrol engine has a displacement capacity of 1197cc and generates 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm and has 114 Nm of peak torque @ 4000 rpm and mated with either 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission gearbox.

The cabin is feature rich and spacious. The dashboard and central console are a carry-over from the Grand i10. The Xcent includes an automatic climate control, steering mounted audio control, Bluetooth, 1 GB of on board music storage, electric-folding mirror, reverse camera, and push-to-start button. ABS is only an optional extra and airbags are available on the top variants only. There is a lot of leg room at the back and the seats have adjustable head rests, rear A/C vent ducts, and arm rest with cup holders. The front seats come with ample lateral and thigh support.

Toyota Etios Cross is another hot selling car in the Indian market is at price 5.7 lakh onwards.

DRB-HICOM AUTOFEST 2013 @ SPICE

It's a wrap for the DRB-HICOM AUTOFEST 2013 which happened at SPICE (Subterranean Penang International Convention Exhibition) from 28th - 30th June 2013 *blows confetti*. Over 18,000 residents from Penang and surrounding areas visited the AUTOFEST which came back after the 1st DRB-HICOM AUTOFEST 2013 held in January at EON Complex, Glenmarie.

The event hosted 10 brands under DRB-HICOM Group namely Audi, Can-am, Honda, Isuzu, Lotus, Mitsubishi, MODENAS, Proton, Suzuki and Volkswagen. This serves to enhance the public awareness on the brands under DRB-HICOM group companies.

There were display booths for multiple brands in the indoor as well as showcase of the Mitsubishi G4 Concept car exhibition, MODENAS 118 EFI launch and the preview of the legendary Suzuki Jimmy.

While there were activities indoor, outdoor is not left out as well. No doubt that the Lotus driving experience and MODENAS stunt show were some of the most attractive outdoor activities!

I would do anything for a ride in a Lotus!!!

Convoys from several car clubs such as Lotus, Proton, Suzuki, Mitsubishi Triton Tuners Club and MODENAS also made their appearance in the AUTOFEST! Special promotion and deals for purchasing a car were also available and can only be grabbed at the venue.

AUTOFEST is not meant for only adults but for the kids to enjoy too! Activities such as coloring contest, inflatable games and clown was there to entertain them *blows balloon*! Adults had their chance to win lucky draw prize of a brand new Proton Saga SV and MODENAS CTRIC bikes. Visitors over 18 years old just have to fill in a form in order to participate in the lucky draw!

F&B stalls operated by Burger King, Pizza Hut and Rasamas sold their food at competitive price in the concourse area to cure hungry stomach! Many definitely flocked the area during the event!

The event was supported by non-automotive companies such as Multi Automotive Service and Assist (MASA) and DRB-HICOM Leasing (DLSB). PUSPAKOM, ICAM and DRB-HICOM Human Capital which are under DRB-HICOM group synergy were in the event to exhibit their current products and special offers to the public.

Speaking about PUSPAKOM, its mobile inspection unit was on site to offer free vehicle inspection to the early birds of the event too!

I wish I were there in the DRB-HICOM AUTOFEST 2013 but unfortunately I was situated in UK at that moment. All I can do was by taking some pictures of the car on the roads of London to cure my addiction with cars! I bet I'll take more pictures if I'm in the AUTOFEST, not to mention test driving cars too!

  

Please visit DRB-HICOM's website for more details: DRB-HICOM

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DRB-Hicom Auto Fest 2013

You can't imagine how much I love auto fest! It's a showcase of cars, giving the visitors a chance to have hands on experience on a car and receive great car purchasing deals. DRB-HICOM Berhad, a leading automotive conglomerate in Malaysia announced the staging of the second DRB-HICOM AUTOFEST 2013 at the SPICE (Subterranean Penang International Convention Exhibition, formerly known as PISA) from 28th - 30th June 2013! An auto fest is coming! *excited*

DRB-HICOM will be showcasing 10 automotive brands under the Group, namely Proton, Lotus, Audi, Can-Am Spyder, Honda, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Modenas, Suzuki and Volkswagen. Visitors can check out the cars, grab attractive deals and promotion on various makes of vehicles. Best of all, automotive-related services such as financing, leasing and trade-in deals can be grabbed in the event!

*Vroom vroom* Visitors can also test drive the cars that they are interested in, and have a thrilling ride in the Lotus sports car! Fetch me please!!!

 Surprise, surprise! Mitsubishi G4 Concept will be showing its flair in the event too! Based on the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback, the G4 Concept is bound to be the sedan variant of the Mirage.

Visitors can stand a chance to win prizes in a special lucky draw, including a grand prize of a brand new car, 3 Modenas CTric electric motorcycle as well as other attractive prizes! These give you more reasons to attend the event. 

To make your weekend the best, pay a visit to the AUTOFEST!

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GAME: Axiata Cup 2013: Up Your Game

If you are using iPhone, Android or even BlackBerry smartphone, GOOD NEWS! In conjunction with Axiata Cup which is happening between 21st March to 14th April 2013, a free-to-be-downloaded Axiata Cup app has been released to give you the latest updates and also comes with a built-in game to be played with! 

As you can see from below, the Axiata Cup app can be used to check for updates or news on the matches. You can also win your own Axiata Cup via the game inside the app! Best of all, the matches can be streamed live on your phone or tablet! Thus, you can watch the Axiata Cup at ANYWHERE, ANYTIME (provided that your telco 'behaves') !

You can also play with the game - Up Your Game! It's a sports game whereby you have to flick the shuttlecock over the net to gain points. Different skill shots (far shot, smash etc.) used will garner you more points!

You can also hold the shuttlecock for a prolonged period of time to gain bonus points!
However, you'll only get 3 chances/lives per game. One is deducted when a shuttlecock falls off the screen of your device. :(

The main killer - BOMBS! The game will end immediately if you touched a bomb, regardless of how many lives you have left! Bombs will appear randomly in any direction, so be vigilant!!!

Try to beat my highscore of 3015! Best of luck! :P

Axiata Cup: Up Your Game is fun and addictive, and is fairly easy to be mastered by beginners. It certainly had grown in me! I can't stop trying to break my previous highscore now! Now will you excuse me, I got to go break my highscore again!

Let's download the app today! Download links:

iPhone: http://bit.ly/iosaxiatacup
Android: http://bit.ly/axiatacup
BlackBerry: http://bit.ly/BBaxiatacup

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WeChat Media Launch @ Neverland Club !

I believe most of the smartphone users know about a famous app called WeChat! With "The new way to connect" as its tagline, WeChat offers a variety of communication such as video call, messaging, group chat and voice chat with your friends, family or love one. Anyway, WeChat organised a media launch party in Neverland Club, Kuala Lumpur and I was there!

The event was like a huge bloggers gathering, we get to have fun while catching up with each other! Attendees were able to join a group chat where the contents of our chats will be displayed on the huge screen! Unfortunately I don't have data plan on my phone or else, I would join in the fun too!

Elywn, Henry, Joel and me! Credits to Clevermunkey.com

By the way, a good thing about WeChat is that it is available on Symbian devices too! I can use WeChat with my Symbian Nokia smartphone!

The night started with speech by Mr. Poshu Yeung, the Vice President of Tencent Holidays Limited.

Then the rocking dance group!

WeChat officially debuted its Bahasa Malaysia TVC, featuring two of its ambassadors Lisa Surihani and Shaheizy Sam.

Vivian 蔡忆雯 took over the stage! She has lovely and soothing voice!

The energetic Henley 许亮宇 joined Vivian for a performance!

Awi Rafael was one of the performers of the night too!

Deejay in the house!!

There were two round of contests where participants won great prizes including a grand prize of an iPad!

WeChat is a mobile phone text and voice messaging communication service developed by Tencent in China, available in iOS, Android, Symbian, Windows Phone and BlackBerry. WeChat is supported on Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G data network.

Website: http://www.wechat.com/en/

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IACT College - Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Advertising and Design 3+0

IACT College, situated at Jaya One Commercial Centre along the Jalan Universiti in Petaling Jaya, is founded and endorsed by industry profession. It produces high quality and creative students by teaching them to think out of the box, turning conventional into extraordinary. Moreover, IACT College provides first class facilities (more on the facilities later) and conducive environment to study and have fun!

A new fully recognised programme called Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Advertising and Design 3+0 is introduced by IACT College, in collaboration with the University of Sunderland, UK, explore design within an advertising context. The programme helps the students in skilful thinking, ggenerating radical ideas and creative solution so that they can excel in the industry after they graduated.

Me along with 4 bloggers had the chance to attended a Creative Advertising and Design Workshop by IACT College recently. It started with a speech by Mr. Mark Grunden, the Admission and Marketing Manager.

After Mr. Grunden's speech, we and all of the other participants, ranging from school leavers to Diploma students from other colleges, moved to the lab where Ms. Queenie, Art and Programme Design Leader showed us some insights about design.

We get to have hands-on experience on designing a portrait of ourselves by using Adobe Illustrator, a design software frequently used by designers!

One example of creative advertisment, featuring the little Volkswagen Polo shielding a group of policemen, hinting the 'small but tough' tagline:

We (the bloggers who attended that day) also had some fun in the broadcast studio! I like this photo very much! Nice expression and vivid colours! Photo credit to Ohfishiee.blogspot.com!

 Together with the awesome Veronica (3rd from the right)!

 With me sitting on the chair!

See how happy Joel was in the studio! The strong lighting of the studio makes it the perfect place to camwhore!!

Some of the works done in the studio! Cool photos!

Moving on to the recording studio, where deejays and singers are born!

Ssshhhh...... This is the library, I'm just gonna let the pictures do the talking :)

Lastly, a picture of Mr. Grunden mingling with us during lunch!

By the way, IACT College is having a contest in its Facebook page whereby participants have a chance to win cash prizes!!! All you have to do is: Click on this link, vote for your favourite TVC and fill in why it is your chosen choice. It's just that EASY!!!

IACT College
Address: 2-G, Block K, Jaya ONE,
               Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya,
               46200 Selangor, Malaysia.

Website
Facebook

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