Gempar..Sos dijual dengan harga RM64,863

Sos yang dijual di eBay - Foto handout

BEIJING - CHINA. Sos pencicah McDonald keluaran khas menjadi tajuk utama media di China selepas sos vintaj itu dijual di eBay bersama sos perisa lain dengan nilai $14,700 (RM 64,863) minggu ini.

Pek sos teriyaki "Mulan Szechuan" hanya dijual di beberapa negara barat pada tahun 1998, ketika rangkaian makanan segera itu mempromosikan filem animasi Disney Mulan.

Ia diletakkan dalam lelongan di eBay bersama-sama dengan sos wasabi oleh seorang penjual dari Britain minggu ini, lapor Beijing Evening News.

Penjual berkata, dia telah menemui dua paket sos pencicah edisi terhad itu semasa mencuci sebuah kereta lama.

Sos pencicah itu menerima 187 bidaan sebelum dijual dengan harga $14,700 (RM 64,863).

"Saya berharap sesiapa yang mahu untuk makan sos yang berusia 20 tahun ini, sila dapatkannya.

"Saya lebih suka ia tidak dijual kepada pengumpul," tulis penjual itu dilaman eBay.

Masakan Sichuan yang berasal dari barat daya China, Sichuan mempunyai ciri ciri, pedas, masam, dan manis.

Sos pencicah teriyaki Mulan Szechuan digambarkan berasa manis, masam dan pedas.

Sos itu menjadi perhatian semula selepas disebut dalam animasi popular Amerika Ricky and Morty.

Dalam tayangan perdana musim ketiga yang ditayangkan pada 1 April, watak utama Rick memberitahu Morty "Saya mahukan McNugget dengan sos pencicah Szechuan."

Susulan itu, beribu-ribu peminat memulakan petisyen dalam talian menuntut McDonald memperkenalkan kembali sos berkenaan.

Petisyen itu telah ditandatangani oleh 35,000 tandatangan oleh Khamis. 

- Sumber: South China Morning Post | 14 April 2017

F60 MINI Countryman launched in Malaysia - price starts RM239,888

The all-new F60 MINI Countryman has finally arrived in Malaysia after being teased earlier this week, replacing the first-generation model that has been around since 2010. 

For our market, two front-wheel drive variants are offered – the Cooper and Cooper S – retailing at RM239,888 and RM269,888, respectively. The prices mentioned here are for on-the-road and not inclusive of insurance. 

The Cooper variant is powered by a 1.5 litre TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine that provides 136 hp at 4,400-6,000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at 1,400-4,300 rpm. Meanwhile, the Cooper S gets a larger 2.0 litre turbo four-pot with 192 hp at 5,000-6,000 rpm and 280 Nm at 1,350-4,600 rpm.

MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system is absent here (the photos seen here are from our UK test drive), so drive on both variants is directed to the front wheels via a Steptronic six-speed automatic transmission in the Cooper, and an eight-speed auto ‘box in the Cooper S. Both engines also come with an idling start/stop system to save fuel during short stops, and keyless start.

In terms of performance, the less powerful of the two will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds, and onwards to a top speed of 200 km/h. The Cooper S will complete the century sprint in an even quicker 7.4 seconds before maxing out at 224 km/h. 

MINI says the Cooper has an average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres per 100 km, whereas the Cooper S consumes more at 6.5 litres per 100 km. The drivetrain is linked to the MINI Driving Modes, which is selectable via a rotary switch at the base of the gear lever. 

Three modes – Sport, Mid and Green – are available here, providing a different drivetrain response rate depending on which is selected. However, the system isn’t linked to the optional Dynamic Damper Control, which isn’t specified for the Malaysian-spec Countryman. 

On the exterior side of things, the new Countryman is a much larger car than its predecessor, being 200 mm longer, 30 mm wider and with a 75 mm longer wheelbase. The overall dimensions are as follows: 4,299 mm length, 1,822 mm width, 1,557 mm height, 2,670 mm wheelbase.

The Countryman S come with a designated MINI bodykit, which introduces a new upper grille with a diamond mesh design rather than the rectangular grid on the standard model. You’ll also get Piano Black trim on the fenders, bumpers as well as silver accents on the front and rear bumpers. Both cars come with black/white scheme for the roof and mirror caps, along with roof rails and side sills in silver.

The Countryman also comes equipped with automatic LED headlights with cornering lights, which provides illumination to the direction of the steering. A new signature lighting is provided by the light ring surrounding the cluster. All Cooper variants come with 18-inch Pin Spoke alloy wheels, while Cooper S models get larger 19-inch MINI Yours Masterpiece units. Run-flat tyres are standard across the board.

On the inside, the Cooper is specified with Cloth Firework Carbon Black upholstery, Hazy Grey interior surfacing, Chrome Line interior trim as well as a sports leather steering wheel. Dual-zone automatic air-conditioning is standard here, as is the cruise control function with braking function.

The Cooper S, meanwhile, comes with Leather Cross Punch in Carbon Black upholstery for its exclusive electric sport seats with memory function (driver side only); a John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with paddle shifters; and the MINI Yours Piano Black Illuminated interior surfacing. The latter is controlled via the car’s infotainment system, forming part of the MINI Yours Illuminated Cockpit that is also supported by the LED ring around it.

Said ring accommodates the car’s 6.5-inch display screen instead of the optional (and larger) 8.8-inch unit. Here, it is linked to the Radio MINI Visual Boost system (includes the MINI Excitement package) and rearview camera. The former is now controlled via the iDrive-like controls (minus the touchpad) on the centre console, beside the new electronic handbrake. 

Other useful bits of kit include a powered tailgate on both variants, which works with the Comfort Access package, allowing you open it via foot-activated sensor at the back. The Comfort Access package, a Cooper S exclusive, also includes a touch-operated keyless entry system. Another exclusive to the Cooper S is a new Picnic Bench within the boot that can be folded out to provide a place to sit on the loading lip. 

Buyers will get to choose from a range of exterior colours – British Racing Green, Chili Red, Light White, Melting Silver, Midnight Black, Moonwalk Grey, Chestnut (new) and Island Blue (new). The Cooper S gets an additional option here – Thunder Grey.

- Source: paultan.org

Second-generation Porsche Panamera launched in Malaysia - price starts RM890,000

First launched in Berlin, the latest, 971-generation Porsche Panamera has arrived in Malaysia in base Panamera and Panamera 4S guises, at RM890,000 and RM1,100,000respectively (prices are base retail before options, including all applicable duties, excluding registration fee, road tax and insurance). A four-year warranty and free maintenance package is included, which covers parts and labour. 

Heading the Panamera’s launch line-up is the 4S, with its 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 with 440 PS at 5,650 rpm and 550 Nm from 1,750 to 5,500 rpm, transmitted to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Accompanying the Panamera 4S is the base Panamera with a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6, producing 330 PS at 5,400 rpm and 450 Nm between 1,340 rpm and 4,900 rpm, sent to the rear wheels.

The base Panamera does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds, while the Panamera 4S does the same benchmark in 4.3 seconds (acceleration figures are with Sport Plus activated, 0.2 second slower without). Top speeds for the Panamera and Panamera 4S are 264 km/h and 289 km/h, respectively. 

In the chassis department, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) gives control over the three-chamber air suspension units at each corner, while steering is electromechanical. Rear axle steering is optional on both the base Panamera and Panamera 4S. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and active roll stabilisation also feature here.

On the exterior, the new Panamera features LED headlamps and daytime running lights in front, with three-dimensional LED tail lights at the rear. Standard fit on the Panamera are 19-inch wheels, with the examples pictured here shod in the optional 21-inch wheels with staggered widths (tyres are 275/35R21 in front, 315/30R21 at the rear). 

Inside, the driver is greeted by the now-commonplace 918 Spyder-style steering wheel with the Sport Response mode selector for four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual (included with the optional Sport Chrono pictured here), with a pair of seven-inch digital displays flanking the central analogue tachometer in the instrument cluster. 

Audio is courtesy of a 3D sound system by Burmester, and the front seats are 14-way adjustable with massage function. The PCM (Porsche Communication Management) suite is controlled by a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, while smartphone integration is via Apple CarPlay along with voice control. 

Touch-sensitive (haptic feedback) surfaces replace hard keys along the centre console, and the louvres of the central air vent are electrically adjusted by touch-sensitive sliders. The boot itself is electrically operated as standard, and all doors feature a soft-closing assist function. Further along, the individual rear seats can be folded to increase boot space from 495 litres to 1,304 litres. 

Absent from the Malaysian market line-up are the long-wheelbase Panamera Executive and – for now – the Panamera Turbo, the arrival of which is subject to customer demand. In terms of specification, the InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system is omitted from our Malaysian Panameras. Also subject to evaluation of customer demand is the Sport Turismo wagon bodystyle.

- Source: paultan.org

Awas! Kamera ini tersembunyi pada penyangkut baju

Penyangkut baju mengandungi kamera tersembunyi ditemui di tandas perempuan sebuah kolej di Seremban. Kelihatan memori kad dalam alatan berkenaan.

SEREMBAN - Satu unit penyangkut baju yang mengandungi kamera tersembunyi dijumpai dalam tandas wanita sebuah kolej di daerah ini.

Peralatan itu dikesan seorang pelajar perempuan kolej terbabit yang ketika itu sedang menggunakan tandas.

Menurut sumber, pelajar berkenaan terlihat penyangkut baju itu berada dalam keadaan mencurigakan menyebabkan dia mengambilnya lalu memeriksanya dengan lebih dekat.

"Sebaik saja membuka penyangkut baju itu, pelajar itu mendapati terdapat memori kad pada penyangkut baju berkenaan, sebelum mendapati bulatan kecil di hadapan penyangkut baju itu merupakan sejenis kamera.

“Pelajar itu kemudian membuat aduan dan menyerahkan peralatan itu kepada pihak kolej," katanya.

Menurutnya, penyangkut baju itu kemudian diserahkan kepada pihak teknologi maklumat (IT) kolej terbabit.

"Setelah diperiksa dalam memori kad itu, jelas mengandungi dua jenis video di dalam kamera berkenaan. Bagaimanapun, video itu bukanlah video yang tidak senonoh,” katanya di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, polis sudah merakam percakapan pengadu dan pelajar yang menjumpai alatan tersebut untuk tindakan susulan.

Sementara itu, Ketua Polis Daerah Seremban Asisten Komisioner Thiew Hock Poh mengesahkan kejadian.

Beliau berkata, siasatan lanjut masih lagi dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti mereka yang terbabit dalam memasang alat penyangkut baju berkenaan.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian | 14 April 2017

PRU14 diramal Oktober depan

SUDAH ada tanda-tanda menunjukkan PRU14 diramal diadakan dalam masa terdekat, kemungkinan pada Oktober depan.

Kehadiran semua pemimpin parti komponen BN, termasuk Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak; Timbalannya, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan pemimpin-pemimpin BN negeri bagi menyertai kem semangat di Institut Latihan Memperkasa Ummah, Janda Baik, Pahang, minggu lalu membuktikan BN kini berada dalam persiapan menghadapi PRU14 pada bila-bila masa.

Mengikut laporan Sin Chew Daily, kem semangat selama tiga hari bermula 7 April lalu itu, antara lain membuat analisa mengenai kedudukan BN dalam PRU akan datang mengikut negeri.

Difahamkan, hasil analisa dibuat, BN menaruh keyakinan untuk merampas semula tampuk pemerintahan di Selangor tetapi di Pulau Pinang, harapan boleh dikira terlalu tipis.

Mengikut amalan biasa, beberapa bulan sebelum PRU diadakan, BN biasanya akan mengadakan kem semangat seperti ini. Berdasarkan penganjuran kem semangat ini, banyak pihak sudah boleh membuat ramalan mengenai tarikh PRU.

Sumber dalaman memberitahu akhbar ini, dalam kem semangat itu, semua pemimpin BN di setiap peringkat negeri telah memberikan taklimat mengenai perkembangan politik di negeri masing-masing.

Selain itu, mereka turut membuat laporan analisis mengenai peratusan peluang menang di kawasan-kawasan parlimen dan Dun serta kekuatan atau kelemahan yang ada pada BN negeri masing-masing.

"Ketika memberikan taklimat, BN pada dasarnya yakin mampu merampas kuasa di Selangor atas faktor perpecahan yang berlaku dalam pakatan pembangkang.

Pemimpin Kelantan pula yakin mampu memenangi beberapa kerusi lagi, di samping mengekalkan kerusi yang ada, malah berkeyakinan membentuk kerajaan di Kelantan.

"Manakala pemimpin Kedah menyatakan tidak menghadapi sebarang masalah untuk terus mengekalkan kuasa di negeri itu, begitu juga dengan keyakinan yang sama dinyatakan oleh pemimpin Terengganu," kata sumber itu.

Sumber memberitahu akhbar itu lagi, perdana menteri tidak memberitahu tepat mengenai tarikh sebenar PRU14, bagaimanapun beliau ada membayangkan ia mungkin diadakan paling awal pada Oktober depan, jika tidak, terpaksa ditangguhkan sehingga tahun depan.

"Ramai meramalkan PRU14 akan jatuh pada September depan, tetapi 16 September adalah Hari Malaysia.

"Presiden China, Xi Jinping pula dijangka mengadakan lawatan ke Malaysia pada Ogos ataupun September depan, oleh itu PRU tidak mungkin diadakan dalam tempoh tersebut," kata sumber itu lagi.

- Sumber: Sinar Harian | 14 April 2017