CIHD: 2009 Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor W211

They are the most common Benz here apart from C-Classes and S-Classes. They can easily be recognized with their headlights.

The first time I drive one was during rain. Being the first time driving a brand new Merc proved too much for me as I was shocked and hoped that I didn't crash it. It scared me off when the wiper automatically wipes the drizzles from the rain. However, that didn't stop me from playing with all the equipments and buttons on the dashboard. Guess what I found? The headlights switch, which means the high beam is fully under the control of my left hand. And guess what it can do? From the reflection I saw on a signboard 300 (maybe more) yards away I can conclude that the headlights can be used to kill vampires. It is virtually day on the spot where the light touches. It is that powerful. Maybe this was the reason The Cullens have an S55 AMG in their garage. Other things to notice was the gear changes. Being in a car with this calibre (the second Mercedes I've ever driven), I didn't expect to feel the gear changes. It was like a moment when you caught someone respectable sneezes due to sickness every few seconds.

After a few drives, I got the hang of it. Effy gear changes is expectable when the Sport Mode is on. With this mode on, the car wouldn't change gear until it reaches 4000 rpm. By that time, you are travelling too fast. Comfort Mode (indicated with the letter C placed near the gear lever) changes gear too often that sometimes you are travelling at 60 kmh in fifth gear. And sometimes you get into hard corners in third gear, but the car could not provide you enough power when you want to exit the road deviation. It is also the same during take off. The system starts the journey from gear 2, not gear 1. So it is expectable to lose a drag race when the Comfort Mode is monitoring the car dynamics.

Interior is really what you'd expect from a Benz. Whether you are in a C or in an SLS you'd know the design cues had been not much different.

Pro: The Kompressor, technologies (such as rain-sensing wiper)

Cons: Too much buttons (more than 90 in fact from the drivers' sight alone)

Hi!

I woke up this morning and instantly thought I should get serious with my blog. This means frequent updating and adding more infos. I've always liked to write freely and this was not what school and college can provide thanks to the word limit in the exam papers. I like cars a lot so most entry are related to cars. Here's what I'm gonna do; I'm gonna split the entries into various sections:

1. CIHD (Cars I Have Driven): Featuring reviews on cars that I've been in or driven

2. TechNew: Deals with new technologies that surrounds the car world

3. Reconstructed Graphics: Basically what I submitted in DeviantArt is also showcased here

4. Top Fives: List of 5 cars arranged according to the class

5. Automotiography: A combination of the words automotive and autobiography. This section narrates the life of my R/C Drift car.

I think five sections would be enough and will add more sections when the need arises.

I hope you get something from this in any way. Enjoy.

Reconstructed Graphics - Proton Inspira

This is Proton Inspira. A rebadge of the 10th version of Mitsubishi Lancer. Added wide body, rear diffuser, larger rims and 4 exhausts. Two exhaust on the side is for cosmetic purposes only.

See DeviantArt for larger image:

http://browse.deviantart.com/designs/vehicular/?qh=&section=&q=inspira#/d3du14w

Being Different

Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show was held in PWTC from 3rd to 12th of December 2010. I was there. On the second day of the exhibition, I enjoyed a solid 4 hours of automotive appreciation and vivid fun. There was the usual scene: NAZA lending its supercars to be put on display, tuners showcasing their tuning skills and Proton's concept cars. What really caught my eyes was a white Audi R8. And it is not the contour that I admire but the colour and when I say white, I was meaning matte white.

Matte colours are becoming famous nowadays thanks to their looks and comparatively low maintenance compared to metallic colours. It is not the one that is in trend right now. Paddle shifters, vertical doors, turbo whistlers and LED headlights share the limelight with matte painting. So, what can we see here? One would simply say spend money on ridiculous things or buy things that causes noise pollution. I'd say, be different.

Those vertical doors, they make you stand out from the crowd. They draw attention, attract eyes and turn heads. It is just because they are different. Imagine you are in a parking lot, sitting in your just-installed-vertical-door-hinges car enjoying the air conditioner. When the need to get out rises, you simply pull the door handle and push it upwards. As soon as you stepped on the tarmac and stand straight you notice people looking at you, in awe. Suddenly you forgot that you are just driving an EK Civic. Your car is the only car with doors that opens upwards in the whole of the parking lot. Drivers of 5 Series' and Audi A4's will be mad.

I bet a Satria Neo with exhaust silencer (in contrast with conventional Satrias that are loud and emit non-purposeful sound), gullwing doors and painted in pink would draw as much attention as a F430, which is more than 10 times the price of the former. People will still look at you if you are driving that Satria. You see, it is not about spending the money on expensive cars, it is about being different.

Reconstructed Graphics - Satria Neo TDI

Edited using CS3. The original was a white one. Changes:

-changed color to red

-added widebody kit+vents+sideskirt

-tri-exhaust+diffuser

-rim

-TDI logo

-carbon fiber spoiler

Also displayed on DeviantArt.