• DOCUMENTED: 21.05.2013 | 07:33 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Beetle Juiced | Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI

    With some added power, the otherwise cute Volkswagen Beetle is now quite the road beast.

    Photos: Joel Tam Would you call the 1.4 TSI of the Volkswagen Beetle juiced? Well, yes and no. Yes because this particular car is no ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen, Beetle, 1.4 TSI, Supercharged, VGS
    • Instead of writing some boring old tripe about the Beetle and ‘stealthily’ inserting sycophantic platitudes about the halcyon days of the Type 1 and how it sparked off a lineage of coupes powered by boxer engines at the rear like a doe eyed fan boy, I shall refrain from that and go straight to the point about this car’s performance and what it can actually do.
    • In terms of looks, this car resembles its 1.2 TSI sibling, sporting the same dynamic, sporty and masculine look to make it appealing to both sexes but yet at the same time features additional ‘go-fast’ bits such as the rear spoiler and bigger chromed out 18-inch retro styled Disc rollers, dat y'all be flossin' wit when ridin'.
  • At the rate he was driving, it didn't take long for us to be back at the Audi Centre's lobby. Short it might have been, the preview drive was enough to whet our appetite for the full review we look forward to do soon. We'll share more then!
    DOCUMENTED: 08.05.2013 | 06:29 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Audi RS 4 Avant Preview Drive

    The RS 4 has landed! Audi invited us to get a taste of one of the first few units that breathed Singapore air. How could we refuse?

    To give the RS 4 a proper welcome, Audi Singapore got Audi R8 LMS Cup driver Alex Yoong take the media out on a preview drive in the supe ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi RS 4, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles, Alex Yoong, Avant, V8
    • At the rate he was driving, it didn't take long for us to be back at the Audi Centre's lobby. Short it might have been, the preview drive was enough to whet our appetite for the full review we look forward to do soon. We'll share more then!
    • But we're not in an R8 today. We're in the family car actually, a really, really fast one. Audi is arguably the master of fast estates, or 'Avant', as they would call it. Beginning with the RS 2 Avant which they developed with a joint venture with Porsche, they've been building ferocious wolves in sheep's clothing for the past 10 years.
  • A mismatch though it may be, the engine is still a great unit. It produces just 94bhp, which admittedly isn’t fantastic, but makes up with 230Nm of torque. That’s more pulling power than some NA 2.4-litre engines! An even bigger selling point though, is its cleanliness – just 99g/km of CO2. Perhaps this why only this engine is being imported here – it gets the maximum $20,000 CEVS rebate, a useful saving in Singapore’s problematic car market. And naturally, being a diesel, fuel consumption is excellent too; I managed just under 17km/l over 370km of not-particularly-economic driving.
    DOCUMENTED: 07.05.2013 | 06:49 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Call Of The Jungle… | Peugeot 208 e-HDi

    … The urban one, that is. Peugeot’s latest baby has landed and, curiously for this end of the market, it’s a diesel!

    Photos: Joel Tam Since the 205 of the ‘80s, Peugeot’s best selling models have been its small ones, the 206 in particula ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Peugeot, 208, 1.6 e-HDi, Diesel
    • A mismatch though it may be, the engine is still a great unit. It produces just 94bhp, which admittedly isn’t fantastic, but makes up with 230Nm of torque. That’s more pulling power than some NA 2.4-litre engines! An even bigger selling point though, is its cleanliness – just 99g/km of CO2. Perhaps this why only this engine is being imported here – it gets the maximum $20,000 CEVS rebate, a useful saving in Singapore’s problematic car market. And naturally, being a diesel, fuel consumption is excellent too; I managed just under 17km/l over 370km of not-particularly-economic driving.
    • The thing about engines like this is that the torque is ridiculously addictive. There’s no great shove in the back or even any excitement to be had (in fact the engine is extremely harsh and raucous above 3250rpm), but put your foot down at speed and the car just suuuuuuuuurges ahead. No muss, no fuss, just an extra 20km/h in the blink of an eye.
    • A good thing then, that the motor is so tractable it doesn’t usually need to downshift, because the gearbox is literally nauseating. It’s a six-speed automated manual called EGC, basically a normal manual gearbox with an electronically controlled clutch, with the option of swapping cogs yourself via column-mounted paddles. It’s great at doing its job of changing gears, just useless at doing it well. Gearshifts, particularly in the lower ratios, take an age to complete. The clutch doesn’t disengage fully, making it feel like the engine brakes between shifts, causing much bobbing of heads by occupants when the power comes back on. It’s also quite easy to confuse the gearbox, especially when navigating road humps or if you have to brake before leaving first gear - it just can't decide if it should shift up or not. You can make shifts much smoother if you lift off right when a change occurs, but why should you need to do this in a car marketed as having an automatic transmission?
  • DOCUMENTED: 12.04.2013 | 11:42 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    The Baby Benz Grows Up | Mercedes-Benz A200 Urban

    Mercedes-Benz calls it the “rebel” of the family. Like most rebels, they may have some traits that you'll admire about them, but most prove to be very hard to live with.

    Photos: Mark Wong Remember the original Merc A-class? What a shock that must have been when it hit showrooms in 1997, with its cupboa ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Mercedes-Benz, A200, A Class, Hatch-back
    • With that, Mercedes decided to eschew the upright mini-MPV look and tackle the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series head-on. This means a conventional front-engined hatchback with a choice of 2 turbocharged four-pots sending power to the front wheels. In our case, we have the 156 bhp A200 Urban, the sportier variant of the 1.6l engine.
    • If there’s one aspect the new baby Benz excels, it’s in its styling. It looks squat and purposeful, with some neat touches like the gloss black front valance and wing mirrors. Surprisingly for a small car, this is also the most successful interpretation of Mercedes’ new wide, two-bar grille, certainly much better integrated than on the SL and CLS. Others have found the styling too fussy, with too many creases and lines all over the place, but I like it. It does, however, need large rims to complete the look, and the 18-inchers on our test car fill out the wheelarches perfectly.
  • DOCUMENTED: 08.04.2013 | 12:01 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Mercedes-Benz CLS350 Shooting Brake

    Mercedes may have launched this stylish looker here under the radar. But in our opinion, it should have been the star of the CLS range.

    Photos: Joel Tam In case you don't already know, I'm a big fan of wagons. With that knowledge, I guess you can tell where th ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Mercedes, CLS, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler Chrysler
    • Before you start wondering where we took the first two shots you see here, I would like to admit that they are not 'real' photos. Well they are technically–they're actually a combination of three photos. I didn't have much of a choice really, it was raining cats and dogs during the time I had the car, so I had to be creative, literally. What is NOT fake though, is how good this car looks. At the front, nothing much has changed, but the three-quarter view is now beefier as the lines towards the back flow to a bulkier finish.
    • But the rear end is where this baby really hits the spot. While the sedan version is a little messy at the back, the Shooting Brake manages to blend the lines cohesively and I dare say, perfectly. While I'm not a fan of the colour, I must admit that matt paint finishes are starting to grow on me. Still, a CLS Shooting Brake is best finished in a shiny metallic gunmetal shade, or maybe white (like the AMG CLS 63 Shooting Brake - go Google that!).
  • Aesthetics wise, Volvo has got the formula right. The very thing that captures your attention first would be the very sporty looking bonnet with its cuts and creases, and the extremely rakish windscreen. Throw in unpainted plastic cladding that runs all round, faux scuff plates (front and rear) and sleek silver roof rails, what you get is a jacked up hatch back with an off-roader presence. 
    DOCUMENTED: 03.04.2013 | 20:43 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Dull And Drab No More | Volvo V40 Cross Country

    Volvo's V40 Cross Country is style and substance all rolled into one.

    Photos: Joel Tam It’s the age of having the best of both worlds. Consumers these days demand an amalgam of sorts, and often se ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volvo, V40, Cross Country, Hatchback
    • Aesthetics wise, Volvo has got the formula right. The very thing that captures your attention first would be the very sporty looking bonnet with its cuts and creases, and the extremely rakish windscreen. Throw in unpainted plastic cladding that runs all round, faux scuff plates (front and rear) and sleek silver roof rails, what you get is a jacked up hatch back with an off-roader presence. 
    • As for the interior, in comparison to the exterior, it is nowhere as stylish. The design within the car offers a more subdued mood, and the interior seems to echo the very design vibe carried by its fellow stable mates. Though a tad drab, it might not necessarily be a bad thing at all as most of the bits are well constructed, and tastefully trimmed in black and aluminium.
    • Some areas, like the floating centre console and the sculpted door-pads do provide a tinge of peppiness, but that’s as far as it goes. Some parts that really appeal to me are the transparent LED illuminated gear selector, massive full-length glass roof and the fully digital dashboard instrument cluster (which has a switchable colour mode function to suit your mood - see photos below) featuring a high resolution TFT screen. In terms of space, the V40 Cross Country T4 can comfortably seat four adults and carry a substantial amount of stuff with its 335 litres boot.
  • Already distinctive and rather good to look at, the new 3 Series is made even more desirable with this aggressive bodykit. While the stock 3 has design cues that resemble the bigger 5 Series, the added M kit seems to lend well to help the 316i carve its own identity, which is definitely a good thing.
    DOCUMENTED: 03.04.2013 | 20:25 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Less Can Be More | BMW 316i M Sport

    Last to the 3 Series family, the 316i may pack the least power, but it's so affable, it may just leave its middle siblings neglected by the crowd.

    Photos: Joel Tam The honor of being our 1,000th article goes to this worthy BMW. No, it doesn't have 500 bhp, nor does it handle ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, 3 Series, 316i, 335i, M-Sport
    • Already distinctive and rather good to look at, the new 3 Series is made even more desirable with this aggressive bodykit. While the stock 3 has design cues that resemble the bigger 5 Series, the added M kit seems to lend well to help the 316i carve its own identity, which is definitely a good thing.
    • More good news, the 3 Series now fits into the Cat A COE bracket (although that isn't really saying much, considering how COE prices have been volatile lately). That said, I do believe that BMW is a bit late in bringing in the 316i. Mercedes has already gotten a big fat piece of the pie with their 1.6-litre powered C Class range. But you know what they say - better late than never.
    • With 136 bhp and 220 Nm, the BMW loses out to the Merc in terms of power output, but there is no disputing the fact that it is still a pretty punchy drive. My take is that BMW is marketing this as a more sporty option compared to the Merc, which has always been a more 'business' brand, while BMW's USP has often been driving dynamics.
  • Ok, so we've driven it on curvy italian sweepers, but how does it fare on our local roads. We grab the keys to a Golf Sport which packs 140 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The 1.4 TSI turbocharged engine will enable the Golf Sport to hit 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds from standstill, and onto an impressive 212 km/h, where roads allow.
    DOCUMENTED: 25.02.2013 | 06:19 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Hole-In-One | Volkswagen Golf Sport 1.4 TSI

    Volkswagen scores a hole-in-one with the new Golf. We drive it, only to find out that it has just bagged the coveted Car of the Year award. We couldn't agree with the judges more.

    Photos: Joel Tam Having experienced the car earlier in Italy, we were thrilled to find out that Singapore was the first few countries ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, Golf, 1.4 TSI, TDI, DSG, Mk 7, 7, 1.6 TDI
    • Ok, so we've driven it on curvy italian sweepers, but how does it fare on our local roads. We grab the keys to a Golf Sport which packs 140 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The 1.4 TSI turbocharged engine will enable the Golf Sport to hit 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds from standstill, and onto an impressive 212 km/h, where roads allow.
    • Seated in the well-appointed interior and grabbing the new flat-bottom steering wheel, I'm reminded once again that this is a completely new model. Play around with the new touch-screen infotainment system and like me, you'll be completely impressed with what it can do. Aside from providing audio pleasure and assimilating a slick new navigation system, it also allows you to control the car's driving modes. You can select from a full range of settings that include Comfort, Eco, Sport, and even an Individual mode that allows you to input your preferences. Let's just stick to 'Sport' (what else?). I just wished that the 'buttons' had some graphics to go with it, currently they are just plain white empty boxes.
    • Based on the same lightweight MBQ structure as the new Audi A3, the new platform promises to help make the Golf bigger, lighter and even more refined than the already well-built model it replaces. It delivers what it promises, and more. The Golf is excellent to drive too.
  • Aside from the ActiveHybrid badges, it's pretty much the same on the outside, what you get on a regular 3 Series sedan is what you'll find on the AH3. Our test car did come with some silver aluminum inserts and trimmings, the signature kidney grille for example, has its slats finished in silver instead of chrome. Another quick way to differentiate the AH3 from the regular 3 Series is to look at the wheels (provided they aren't spinning). The rotor-styled wheels are unique to the AH3, and along with its bigger brethren, the AH5 and AH7, complete the range of propeller-design wheels on the ActiveHybrid series.
    DOCUMENTED: 08.02.2013 | 09:34 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Mean & Green | BMW ActiveHybrid 3

    How do we save the world without any super powers? BMW has the answer. Packing 335 bhp and 450 Nm, the ActiveHybrid 3 is both mean and green!

    Photos: Joel Tam Essentially based on a 335i (which we like a lot), the ActiveHybrid 3 (let's call it the AH3) is what I'd te ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, 3 Series, Performance Motors, Hybrid, Active Hybrid, 3
    • Aside from the ActiveHybrid badges, it's pretty much the same on the outside, what you get on a regular 3 Series sedan is what you'll find on the AH3. Our test car did come with some silver aluminum inserts and trimmings, the signature kidney grille for example, has its slats finished in silver instead of chrome. Another quick way to differentiate the AH3 from the regular 3 Series is to look at the wheels (provided they aren't spinning). The rotor-styled wheels are unique to the AH3, and along with its bigger brethren, the AH5 and AH7, complete the range of propeller-design wheels on the ActiveHybrid series.
    • Inside, well, it would have been the same if not for some clever speccing by the local distributor. Our test car came with the 'Modern' package, which swathed the interior of the AH3 in light beige leather and a rather unique choice of wood grain. While it is admittedly different and refreshing in an avant-garde sort of way, it won't make it onto my spec list if I was shopping for an AH3. The relief of the wood grain is just too pronounced for my taste.
    • What was rather cool though, was the white-on-brown instrument dials. Set against the black cluster board, the dials had a contemporary look to them and matched the overall interior extremely well. While not exactly sporty, this interior looks fresh compared to the often black and grey interiors from BMW that we're used to.
  • The Audi A6 is one such car that has really impressed me. With a powertrain that is made up on a combination of the 211 bhp, 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated with a 54 bhp electric motor, it pushes a total output of 245 bhp. Pretty decent for this sedan, and more than what you would need on a daily basis.
    DOCUMENTED: 08.02.2013 | 09:12 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Clean Performance | Audi A6 Hybrid

    Audi's A6 Hybrid packs a combined power of 245 bhp and will save you some money too (if you drove it like it had 120 bhp)! But for the price, wouldn't a 3.0 TFSI make more sense?

    Photos: Joel Tam We've taken the wheel of a quite a few hybrid cars recently. While I admit that the word 'hybrid' tends ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi A6, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles, Hybrid
    • The Audi A6 is one such car that has really impressed me. With a powertrain that is made up on a combination of the 211 bhp, 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated with a 54 bhp electric motor, it pushes a total output of 245 bhp. Pretty decent for this sedan, and more than what you would need on a daily basis.
    • Looking at it, you won't be able to tell it from other A6 sedans though. With very little styling differences, the Hybrid looks just like any other A6, save the new wheels (why do hybrid wheel design always mimic a turbine or a fan?) and some emblems. That said, the A6 has always been a handsome car, if not particularly striking. An E-Class or a 5 Series still commands more presence on the road.
    • Inside, it is the great old Audi build quality and finish that we know. The left instrument gauge is replaced with one that displays the battery charge and power usage. Our test had an aluminum and black colour combination that while a tad somber, worked well to keep the interior sleek and stylish. With nothing to complain about here, we could focus on the drive...
  • I've always been fond of Peugeot's car designs. The 308, RCZ and the new 508 GT in particular are my personal favorites. I can't say the same for the 408 though. Somehow, the proportions look a bit wrong to me. That said, I could be the only one with that view, because almost everywhere I took the 408, people were staring - no kidding - this regular sedan was turning heads!
    DOCUMENTED: 07.02.2013 | 06:37 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    French Kiss | Peugeot 408 1.6 Turbo

    The new Peugeot 408 has a lot of room and packs some 'vroom' too. Can it take the game to the Germans and the Japanese though?

    Photos: Joel Tam The French are really good at branding themselves with many of the most desirable things in life. Think Paris, Frenc ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Peugeot, 408, Sedan, AutoFrance
    • I've always been fond of Peugeot's car designs. The 308, RCZ and the new 508 GT in particular are my personal favorites. I can't say the same for the 408 though. Somehow, the proportions look a bit wrong to me. That said, I could be the only one with that view, because almost everywhere I took the 408, people were staring - no kidding - this regular sedan was turning heads!
    • Granted, the car has a sleek looking face - long sharp headlamps and a shark-like nose give it a elegant yet aggressive stance, but the rear seems to taper off a little to steep and too abruptly for my liking. That, plus the high middle section, makes you look like you're driving a mountain. Ok, maybe it's not that bad, after all, the 408 was conceived to be a sedan right from the start, so odd as some sections seem to me, it does come together to produce an overall handsome-ish profile (from some angles).
    • Step inside and the feeling of spaciousness is not merely a notion, there really is a lot of room in here. The dash is pretty familiar, most of the knobs, dials, trimmings and instrument cluster are clearly Peugeot family parts. Materials used are good with a mix of chrome trimmings, black inserts, and the generous application of brown leather on our test-car ups the 'premium' feel. The door handles on the inside seem rather plasticky though, that's about the only gripe for me.
  • After passing through the checkpoints, the cars regrouped and blasted up the North-South Highway in unison. Sheldon and myself made a good effort to do our best in this challenge and kept throttle-discipline during the drive up, keeping in mind the only rule for the challenge; that the last car had to be no more than 5 minutes away from the first car, upon arrival at the end-point. Sheldon being the more experienced 'eco' driver, made use of both the cruise control and optimal rev count to keep the consumption as low as possible.
    DOCUMENTED: 01.02.2013 | 07:31 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Don't Just Speed, Feed!

    To Malacca and back. Over two days. With less than a tank of diesel. We join Volkswagen on an epic trip up north to sample good food and great cars.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming 'Mid-week madness' took on a new meaning when we embarked on a historic trip with Volkswagen on tuesday ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, TDI, DSG, Diesel, CEVS
    • After passing through the checkpoints, the cars regrouped and blasted up the North-South Highway in unison. Sheldon and myself made a good effort to do our best in this challenge and kept throttle-discipline during the drive up, keeping in mind the only rule for the challenge; that the last car had to be no more than 5 minutes away from the first car, upon arrival at the end-point. Sheldon being the more experienced 'eco' driver, made use of both the cruise control and optimal rev count to keep the consumption as low as possible.
    • Our car was the Passat 2.0 TDI with 140 bhp and a useful 320 Nm of torque. The figure to beat (or get close to) was the Passat's combined cycle of 5.2 l/100 km, and the challenge started once we turned out of the showroom. The gurus of driving holidays, Wheels For Fun, were our facilitators during the drive, and we convoyed through early morning traffic to make our way to the second link.
    • This wasn't just a driving trip though, as mentioned earlier, the road trip incorporated a food trail as well. Bak Kut Teh, Yong Tao Fu, and a host of other chinese and peranakan food fare, we had it all! Once we got to our hotel though, no time was wasted, we were immediately whisked away to our next 'eco' challenge, a mountain bike expedition to help burn away all the cholesterol we built up!
  • Well that engine is, along with the rest of the lineup, being phased out to make way for Audi’s potent supercharged 3.0 TFSI. But rather than the performance-tuned 333 bhp you'll find in say the S4, the Q5 has 272 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. Paired with Audi’s 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, it is the same quick-shifting unit you'll find on top tier Audi sedans. We would have loved for it to be mated to the S-tronic though, because the Q5 is a rather nifty handling SUV, and with all that power, it makes for a rather sporty drive.
    DOCUMENTED: 01.02.2013 | 04:52 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Luxury Hatch On Stilts | Audi Q5 3.0 TFSI

    Audi bid's their naturally aspirated 3.2 V6 farewell, and the updated Q5 SUV impresses with a good drive thanks to a new 3-litre power-plant pushing 272 bhp and a hefty 400 Nm.

    Photos: Joel Tam The first-generation Audi Q5 had a good take-up rate around the world and here in Singapore too. Launched with two ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi Q5, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles, SUV
    • Well that engine is, along with the rest of the lineup, being phased out to make way for Audi’s potent supercharged 3.0 TFSI. But rather than the performance-tuned 333 bhp you'll find in say the S4, the Q5 has 272 bhp and 400 Nm of torque. Paired with Audi’s 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, it is the same quick-shifting unit you'll find on top tier Audi sedans. We would have loved for it to be mated to the S-tronic though, because the Q5 is a rather nifty handling SUV, and with all that power, it makes for a rather sporty drive.
    • Our test car came with chunky five-spoke 20
    • Outwardly the Q5 gets very subtle changes. The Audi grille now has a hexagonal shape, keeping to the latest look from Ingolstadt. The lower S-line bumpers on our test car gets some additional details at the ventilation vents. Also new are the front and rear LED headlamps with modern looking daytime-running lamps.
  • Our test-car was finished in black and matched with glossy black wheels. Racing stripes, wing mirrors and brake calipers were peppered in red, and the result is a rather mean looking supermini that looks ready to take on cars twice its size.
    DOCUMENTED: 24.01.2013 | 13:50 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    MINI In Name Only | MINI John Cooper Works Hatch

    In the past, if you wanted the hottest MINI, you could only get it with three pedals. Now the John Cooper Works range comes paired with an autobox that works (pardon the pun) surprisingly well!

    Photos: Joel Tam What would racing legend John Cooper say if he found out that a range of cars that bear his name came with slushbox ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : MINI, MINI Habitat, Cooper S, BMW Asia, John Cooper Works
    • Our test-car was finished in black and matched with glossy black wheels. Racing stripes, wing mirrors and brake calipers were peppered in red, and the result is a rather mean looking supermini that looks ready to take on cars twice its size.
    • JCWs get exclusive equipment both inside the car and out. Standard specification includes the Sport Button (which allows the driver to tweak the car’s accelerator responses and steering characteristics), a stainless steel sports exhaust system that backfires when put in Sport mode. Plus 17-inch light-alloy wheels and runflat tyres.
    • Of course, JCW emblems are found all over, in the front, at the rear, on the scuff plates, steering wheel and even on the engine bay cover.
  • But I have a feeling BMW is thinking more 'mean' than 'green' here. You see, manufacturers have also found that slapping a battery does produce a useful dose of extra power and torque for the car, which almost always ends up with them marketing the car as a bit of a performance car as well. Which has always been our slant here at Burnpavement.com anyway. Well, we're happy to say that the ActiveHybrid 7 is a rather enjoyable 'barge' to drive, BMWs in general tend to be.
    DOCUMENTED: 11.01.2013 | 04:55 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Seventh Heaven? | BMW ActiveHybrid 7

    BMW's answer to Lexus' LS600hL is the ActiveHybrid 7, a large premium hybrid that offers both luxury and performance. From our time with the car, it seems to have succeeded in fulfilling both claims.

    Photos: Joel Tam I've been driving a lot of premium hybrid cars in the past few months, and it wasn't until recently that I ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, 7 Series, Performance Motors, Hybrid, Active Hybrid, 740i
    • But I have a feeling BMW is thinking more 'mean' than 'green' here. You see, manufacturers have also found that slapping a battery does produce a useful dose of extra power and torque for the car, which almost always ends up with them marketing the car as a bit of a performance car as well. Which has always been our slant here at Burnpavement.com anyway. Well, we're happy to say that the ActiveHybrid 7 is a rather enjoyable 'barge' to drive, BMWs in general tend to be.
    • With a respectable 354 bhp and 450 Nm from the 3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the AH7 will smoke many cars to 100 km/h from standstill. The almost 2 tone car will do it in 5.7 seconds, and cruise on to a limited but easy 250 km/h. Like most hybrids, you'll be able to drive this car without letting the petrol engine kick in for a bit once the battery is charged, but unlike many, there is no selectable electric-only mode.
    • Once the combustion engine kicks in though, it almost acts like a wake-up call to have some fun. Sure, it's no hot compact saloon, but for a huge car, the 7 Series handles rather nicely. Steering feel is light but not dead, there is an accuracy to it and the AH7 will tread on the inputs given by the driver. It must be said though that the drive mode presets in Sport and Sport+ do little to add any feedback from the steering, but as always, the suspension and throttle response do sharpen up, making it quite a hoot to drive. Also another common BMW feature, is the 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox that is quick and a joy to use.
  • Plus it's not all about the looks, the S5 (like your perfect date) is versatile and smart. It can play a wide variety of roles, from highway cruiser to back road bruiser. Powered by a 333 bhp 3.0-litre V6 supercharged power-plant with 440 Nm of torque, this new engine replaces the old characterful 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8.
    DOCUMENTED: 08.01.2013 | 08:55 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Perfect Date | Audi S5 Coupe 3.0T

    The Audi S5 got a refresh recently, we take one out on a date and remember why this is one of our favorite Audis.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming The new Audi S5 has got a lot going for it. For one, it was already a winner from the start. Audi did the right ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi S5, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles
    • Plus it's not all about the looks, the S5 (like your perfect date) is versatile and smart. It can play a wide variety of roles, from highway cruiser to back road bruiser. Powered by a 333 bhp 3.0-litre V6 supercharged power-plant with 440 Nm of torque, this new engine replaces the old characterful 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8.
    • As you might expect, those figures translate to a very fast Audi S5. Acceleration is very lively, but not as 'angry' as we remember the V8 to be. But the supercharger does brings on the power at a low enough rev range for the car to pick up the pace almost instantaneously. The S5 has a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds, and will go on to hit 250 km/h given the space.
    • It doesn't end there. Probe your date a little more and it'll reveal even more talents. Throw it into a series of bends and the S5 will just hug onto them for dear life. The throttle is progressive and will allow you to gauge when it's on the brink of reaching its limits. Audi's seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox is as always, a joy to use. Quick and responsive, it makes driving fast easy as you can really tame the S5's power with the accessibility of the engine's performance via the gearbox.
  • I must admit though that I took sometime to warm up to the car. Getting into a huggy Recaros for one, was a bit of a squeeze, and I'm not, er… horizontally challenged. I never had this problem with the old car, and I remember it being a lot roomier up front. But let's not jump the gun and focus (sorry, had to do it) on the new car.
    DOCUMENTED: 08.01.2013 | 08:41 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Screaming Tangerine | Ford Focus ST

    Having owned the previous ST (2.5) before, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new ST. Despite being a very different machine, Ford has indeed brought back the magic!

    Photos: Low Fai Ming The previous generation Focus ST 2.5 was one of the best cars I've ever owned. Fast, solidly-built, chuckab ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Ford, Focus, ST, 2012 Ford Focus, Regent Motors, Turbo, 2.0
    • I must admit though that I took sometime to warm up to the car. Getting into a huggy Recaros for one, was a bit of a squeeze, and I'm not, er… horizontally challenged. I never had this problem with the old car, and I remember it being a lot roomier up front. But let's not jump the gun and focus (sorry, had to do it) on the new car.
    • Visually, the new ST is mean and aggressive from all angles. It looks clearly fiercer than a standard Focus and the bodykit with gaping vents speak only of speed! You won’t mistake this for anything else this is the baddest Focus yet. It's racy enough, especially in our test car's Tangerine Scream colour (shouldn't it have been Screaming Tangerine? Y'know, S.T., Screaming … never mind). The standard 18-inch wheels have been updated from the previous generation design. While similar in style, the edges are now sharper and taper off at the end. Overall, it looks as fast as it goes - that's good.
    • Back to the interior, there are two ways to look at it, some will find the new cabin messy and complicated. I think it's a huge improvement from the previous Focus, both in terms of design and build-quality. But the chunky console and large Recaro bucket seats do take up more space, and this is no good for those in the front. But once you're snug in the seats, everything starts to get better. Visibility is good, the instrumentation and switches are within reach - except for the power button, which is a bit hidden from view (according to my height at least). The set of three gauges — oil temperature, boost pressure, and oil pressure — are back, and sit atop the dashboard.
  • First things first, the car looks no different from the 2.0 TSI. Our test car was fitted with the options pack and came with a panoramic sunroof, 18
    DOCUMENTED: 02.01.2013 | 11:08 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Tick One | Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI

    Who would have thought? A 1.4-litre engine in a chunky sport utility vehicle (SUV)! That has got to be a really anemic drive for sure? Well, don't knock it till you've tried it, is all we can say.

    Photos: Joel Tam I've grown fond of SUVs in recent years. The Volkswagen Tiguan is one model I really like. After driving it to C ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, Tiguan, 1.4 TSI, DSG
    • First things first, the car looks no different from the 2.0 TSI. Our test car was fitted with the options pack and came with a panoramic sunroof, 18
    • The Tiguan is a handsome SUV either way you look at it. While it's no Touareg, it does have some resemblance to its bigger brother. I've said it before, the pre-facelifted Tiguan was styled a little too soft for me, but this new model looks just right.
    • Swing open the heavy driver's door, get comfortable on the inside, and if I may be honest, Volkswagen interiors are beginning to leave me a little cold. But that has largely got to do with the fact that I am a big fan of the brand and have done numerous drives with their cars. If this is your first VW car, you wouldn't be complaining. That said, the new Golf couldn't have come at a better time. Have you seen the Golf's new interior? It's gorgeous for a hatchback!
  • Walking up to our cars, we notice that not much has changed on the exterior, to be honest. The front headlamps are new and give the car a sleeker face, while sharpening the presence of the car.
    DOCUMENTED: 28.11.2012 | 17:08 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    BMW 7 Series In Borobudur

    We drive the tranquil BMW 7 Series around the equally serene town of Magelang, Central Java, where the 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple Borobudur resides in.

    Photos: Joel Tam & BMW Press Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, Borobudur is as mystic as it is ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, 730d, 7 Series, Performance Motors
    • Walking up to our cars, we notice that not much has changed on the exterior, to be honest. The front headlamps are new and give the car a sleeker face, while sharpening the presence of the car.
    • The grille's chrome surround is now larger, and feature nine slats instead of 12. There are vertical air intakes that sit beyond even the LED foglamps to the left and right of the wide intake. This works in part with the
    • With an 8mm drop in overall height coupled with the sweeping horizontal lines, the new car does look a tad more svelt. Or maybe it was the fact that the car we were following (and had our eyes on most of the time) was black.
  • DOCUMENTED: 26.10.2012 | 19:04 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Rock of Ages | Volkswagen Golf 7 Drive

    The seventh-generation Golf is out, and the first batch of cars will roll out of the factory in November. We get behind the wheel of the class-leading model to find out if it the new one still rocks.

    Photos: Joel Tam Before we tell you if the new seventh-generation Golf is worth holding back your deposit until it arrives on Singapo ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, Golf, 1.4 TSI, TDI, DSG, Mk 7, 7, 2.0 TDI
    • We flew 12 hours across continents to Sardinia, Italy, (where the fish got its name) to drive the new car. Home to lovely rustic Italian architecture, grand highlands that are hugged by the splendid turquoise blue mediterranean sea, and best of all, gorgeous winding roads that are perfect for putting the new Golf through its paces.
    • We got behind the wheel of both the 1.4 TSI with 140 bhp (EA 211) and the 2.0 TDI with 150 bhp (EA288). But let's talk about the 1.4 TSi since this is going to be the hot-seller here in Singapore.