Happenings

We Rock Down to Electric Avenue

BY Marcus Lim

Ok, catchy title aside, it’s actually Singapore’s first-ever EV Weekend. We check out ten hot electric vehicles, including the latest BMW iX!

Here at Burnpavement, we like fast and exciting cars. Unfortunately, given how the world is moving towards electrification, cars that go vroom-psssh might soon be a thing of the past.

However, the retirement of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) isn’t the demise of enthusiast cars as we know them. On the flipside, Electric Vehicles (EV) have opened up a whole new dimension of excitement for us enthusiasts.

Models like the Porsche Taycan and Mercedes-EQ EQC have surprised us with how they push the limits of physics. While they aren’t quite enthusiast cars in the traditional sense – like the lovely Alpine A110 – EVs still put a silly grin on your face when you mash the accelerator pedal.

So, to embrace this (unavoidable) future of electric mobility, we rocked on down to electric avenue EV Weekend. Held at The Forum in Resorts World Sentosa, the event is Singapore’s first-ever EV showcase with ten cars on display. Happening from now untill 12th December both physically and virtually, you can either pop over to RWS or visit the brands’ virtual showrooms here.

The event not only showcases the latest EVs under one roof, but also includes information corners on how you can transition from an ICE vehicle to an EV. You can also learn more about Singapore’s upcoming EV infrastructure, and the future of electric mobility in Singapore.

The road to the future is electric, and here’s what we saw when we took a stroll down it:

BMW iX

BMW was one of the first luxury car companies to recognise the importance of electric mobility, with the launch of the BMW i sub-brand back in 2011. With charging infrastructure back then spotty at best, the BMW i models were somewhat of a novelty.

10 years later, the iX is BMW’s EV flagship, with futuristic exterior styling and an eco-friendly interior. With no mechanical components to work around, cabin designers have managed to create a spacious, lounge-like interior. Fancy open-pore wood panelling and diamond-cut crystal glass switches abound. Gives you something to appreciate while you’re not being rocketed forward by the 326 hp/630 Nm electric motor…

The BMW iX has just gone on sale in Singapore for S$391,888 with COE (December 2021).



Audi e-tron GT

With the e-tron brand only going into production in 2019, Audi was slightly slower than its fellow German counterpart when it came to electrification. However, being under the Volkswagen Group umbrella meant that fancy tech was a lot more in reach.

It’s saying something when Audi’s – a brand known for their ludicrously powered RS models – most powerful production car ever is an electric vehicle. That honour goes to the RS e-tron GT, this car’s more powerful sibling. Both closely related to the Porsche Taycan, the e-tron GT does the ‘GT’ part well, with 4 doors, 4 roomy seats, and a sizeable boot. What it has in luxury it also has in speed, with its electric motors’ 470 bhp/630 Nm (or 590 bhp/830Nm for the RS) available from standstill.

The Audi e-tron GT retails for S$509,000 with COE, and the Audi RS e-tron GT retails for S$640,000 with COE (December 2021).



MINI Electric

BMW has had the i3 on sale since 2013, but it wasn’t until 2020 that the MINI brand had an electrified model of its own. As a zippy city car, it made tremendous sense to introduce an electric drivetrain to the MINI’s nimble chassis.

With an interior layout that’s largely similar to the regular petrol-powered MINI 3-door, the Electric gets a smattering of electric motifs in lime green. The 181 hp/270 Nm electric motor gives up to 270 km of range on a full charge, which should be good for a couple of days. We had a go in the pre-facelift car last year, and it felt like a luxury go-kart!

The MINI Electric retails for S$191,888 with COE (December 2021).



BMW iX3

Our friends at futr.sg called the BMW iX3 “the most sensible premium EV SUV”, and it’s not hard to see why. Based on the petrol-powered X3 SUV, the iX3 has everything people love about its petrol sibling, while offering an EV driving experience with its 286 bhp/400 Nm electric drivetrain.

The BMW iX3 retails for S$281,888 with COE (December 2021).



Audi e-tron Sportback

The e-tron SUV was Audi’s first all-electric car to be offered here in Singapore, combining an electric drivetrain with a practical SUV bodystyle. The Sportback has taken that recipe, and added a coupe-esque roofline and a liftback rear. Styling aside, both models are powered by the same 308 bhp/540 Nm dual-motor setup.

The Audi e-tron Sportback retails for S$358,461 with COE (December 2021).



Mercedes-EQ EQA

The latest addition to the Mercedes-EQ range here in Singapore is the EQA 250. It’s Mercedes-Benz’s first compact EV, based on the GLA compact SUV. While there are several exterior styling cues to differentiate it from its petrol-powered sibling, the EQA’s interior essentially mimics the GLA’s. Only the EQA250 is available at present, with a 188 hp/375Nm front-drive drivetrain.

The Mercedes-EQ EQA retails for S$260,888 with COE (December 2021).



Mercedes-EQ EQC

The EQC kicked off the Mercedes-EQ range here in Singapore back in June this year. It’s the first Mercedes-EQ model (yes, it’s technically not a Mercedes-Benz) and based off the petrol-powered GLC. Like the EQA, Mercedes has set it apart from the GLC externally, but the interior has only few signs of electrification. Worldwide, the EQC400 is the only drivetrain option, with 402 hp/760Nm from the dual-motor setup.

The Mercedes-EQ EQC retails for S$328,888 with COE (December 2021).



Kia Niro Electric

The secret ingredient to widespread EV adoption is range, and Korean automaker Kia seems to have got the recipe right. Apart from a very reasonable pricetag, the Niro Electric offers a whopping 455 km of range on a full charge, on par with most petrol-powered cars. Instantaneous power – all 201 hp/395 Nm – gets sent to the front wheels in this eco- and wallet-friendly package.

The Kia Niro Electric retails for S$178,999 with COE (December 2021).



MG ZS Electric

The ZS Electric quickly became Singapore’s best-selling EV after British brand MG returned to the local market in 2020. Price is a large factor that contributed to its success, coupled with a decent range of 335 km from its 44.5kWh battery. As an everyday runabout, the electric drivetrain’s 141 hp/353 Nm provides sufficient go with zero fuss.

The MG ZS Electric retails for S$152,888 with COE (December 2021).



MG 5 Electric

With the runaway success of the ZS Electric, MG has recently introduced an EV with a larger, more practical bodystyle. It combines the practicality of a station wagon with the eco-friendliness of an electric drivetrain – all at the competitive price point the Chinese-owned British automaker is known for. Targeted at the budget-conscious family driver, the MG 5 Electric’s drivetrain produces a modest 154 hp/280 Nm.

The MG 5 Electric retails for S$145,888 with COE (December 2021).