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Naza World launches Ducati Cambodia

Malaysian automotive conglomerate Naza World Group of Companies marked a major milestone this weekend when it announced the launch of Ducati Cambodia.

Not only a milestone for Ducati as it marks its debut into the Cambodian market, the launch also marks Naza World’s second success with its ASEAN region business expansion after Vietnam. This is also perhaps a follow up to the firm’s previously announced entry into the ASEAN nation with its Naza Bikes brand.

Ducati Cambodia operates out of its newly opened flagship showroom, dubbed Ducati Phnom Penh, located in the heart of Phnom Penh city at No 96, St 110, Russian Boulevard, Sangkat Teok Laak 1, Khan Toul Kork.

Measuring 2,700 square feet, the showroom is fully primed with Ducati’s modern service facilities complete with the brand’s special tools, diagnostic equipments and original spare parts as well. 18 full-time and fully trained employees are tasked at manning the centre, promising the same high standards of sales and after-sales services that the brand is known globally for.

File Photo: Scrambler Ducati @ Thai Motor Expo 2014

In conjunction with the brand’s entry and new centre launch, Ducati Cambodia also marked the launch of the Scrambler Ducati range as well. All four variants, which being the Scrambler Icon, Scrambler Classic, Scrambler Urban Enduro and the Scrambler Full Throttle, were introduced into the Cambodian market with the launch of the Ducati Cambodia.

Ducati Cambodia can be contacted via phone at +855 23993 933, email via info@ducati.com.kh, or alternatively via its official Facebook pages ( Ducati Cambodia Facebook / Scrambler Ducati Cambodia Facebook ).

Flagging-off from Melbourne with Hadi Hussein

Hadi Hussein is a 44-year-old Johorian purist (JB), a former disaster-deployment expert and a well experienced humanitarian by profession.

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New Honda superbikes rumoured for 2017

Rumour has surfaced indicating that Honda are working on two new superbike models bound for release in 2017. Credible sources are indicating that the two new models will likely come in the forms of a heavily updated CBR1000RR Fireblade, followed by an all-new RVF1000 model with a V4 engine configuration.

The twelfth generation Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade as we know last underwent an update in 2014 where it received a slight increase in power with mildly revised rider ergonomics, plus the addition of a racier ‘SP’ variant as well.

Sources report that if it is green-lit, the next CBR1000RR will be based on the current bike, but will sport a revised exterior with high chance of a revised new electronics package to stack up against its rivals. Furthermore, the rumour also indicated that the updated CBR1000RR will remain rather road-focused instead of being a machine for track use.

As for the RVF1000 model, the rumour did suggest that Honda would develop it as a proper track machine. If green-lit, the V4-powered new RVF1000 will see Honda likely targeting the likes of the new Yamaha YZF-R1, Aprilia RSV4 RF and the Ducati Panigale R.

However, Honda will likely take some time in figuring out the right specification and pricing for the new RVF1000 as how it was for the controversial RC213V-S road-legal GP bike. Based on recent leaked patent and design files, the new RVF1000 V4 will likely resemble closely to the aforementioned road-going GP bike besides sharing a similar V4 powerplant.

Honda would likely build the RVF1000 using cost-effective parts from the RC213V-S like its cast-aluminium frame whilst also retaining much of street-legal GP bike’s basic elements and design solutions. However, this rumour sounds somewhat slightly far-fetched as compared to the updated CBR1000RR rumour. Honda remains coy about this particular V4 project, so it is a case of waiting and seeing if this materialises.

Sources: Asphaltandrubber and MCN

Pedrosa and Marquez test the Honda NSR500 GP bike

In an effort to give thanks to its workforce and fans, Honda recently held its annual “Honda Racing Thanks Day” at the Motegi circuit in Japan.

The event saw Honda’s top stars being given opportunities to test some of the brand’s most iconic machines on the circuit, including both cars and bikes.

The biggest highlight of the event was of course, the presence of Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez, who had the chance to take Honda’s special NSR500 two-stroke Grand Prix machines to the track for the first time.

They were also given the chance to test Honda’s NSX supercar, as well as racing go-karts and CBR250s against other stars like F1 drivers Fernando Alonso, Takuma Sato, and Toni Bou, Suzuka 8-hour winner Takumi Takahashi, Hiroshi Aoyama and Kosuke Akiyoshi, as well as ten drivers from the Super GT series.

Speaking after testing the NSR500 Grand Prix bike, Pedrosa pointed out that his experience on the bike will be a special one, as this was the first time he had got his hands on one.

“It’s been a really good weekend! I had the chance to have some fun and behave like a kid once again, playing with some very special toys! We drove some great cars and also had a chance to ride the NSR500, whilst enjoying ourselves with other riders and drivers,” he added.

Marc Marquez, on the other hand, said, “It was good to hang out together, talk about our seasons and see drive Honda’s new and old vehicles! I’d like to take this final chance to wish all our fans a very Happy Christmas as well”.

Video: 2016 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 in detail

After making its highly anticipated debut during EICMA 2015 last month, the new sixth generation Suzuki GSX-R 1000 superbike looks set to become a force to be reckon with. (more…)

Fernando Alonso rides MotoGP race bike

Fernando Alonso has been having a tough year in Formula 1.

It is bad enough that he could not extract the best out of Ferrari in the four years he was at the team, a feat Sebastian Vettel did so in just one year. Now the Spanish double world champion is having a torrid year at Mclaren.

There is news that he could take a sabbatical in 2016 or even race in the World Endurance Championship. But that may not be all.

Pictures have surfaced of Alonso taming the Honda RC213V, the same race bike that Marc Marquez raced in 2015.

But before you get all excited, you should know that it was all part of a program organised by Honda Japan as part of its annual end of season ‘Thanks Day’ at the Motegi race circuit. Alonso took on Marquez’s race bike, while Marquez straddled up to tame Honda’s new NSX Concept GT.