Even on the dinner table, I was caught using the chopstick to eat pratas and then, without a care of the people around, sipped soup straight from the bowl bypassing the creation called a spoon or even the engineering marvel known as a straw.
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Boring No More | Mercedes-Benz C200 Avantgarde

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, Merc, C-Class, C 200, Cycle & Carriage

No longer dull and now satisfying to drive - someone did their research very well, and the end product is a far cry from its predecessor


Which is a good thing, in my humblest opinion. When you drive a car like this, you sometimes do not need the attention; you do not want to be labeled a poseur just for driving with the roof down. After a long day at work, sometimes all you need is just the natural air, with the wind blowing in your hair, knowwadimean?
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No Need For Attention | BMW 435i Convertible

IN BMW, 4 Series, 4 Series Convertible, Convertible, 435i, Beemer

BMW’s 4 Series Convertible looks more upmarket than the 3 Series, and should go down well with executives looking for a car to cruise around in after a hard day’s work…


And it now feels friskier to drive, more apparent if you’re the sort who enjoys participating in traffic light grand prix. Floor the accelerator and you can feel the XC60 pulling away without much hesitance, despite the fact it still weighs in close to a hefty 1.8-tonne. It does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds, which is good enough to keep up with sports sedans whose drivers would normally think lesser of SUVs. (“How on earth can that tank keep up with me? No way! Hahaha. Wait, what? How come it’s inching closer… and… passing me?!”)
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Trusty Swede | Volvo XC60 T5 Drive-E

IN Volvo, XC60, T5, Drive-E, Volvo XC60, SUV, Wearnes Automotive

If you’re looking for a trusty and solid SUV, look no further than Volvo’s updated XC60.


The aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s new modular vehicle architecture and Jaguar is aiming to set the standard for driving dynamics in the segment. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile.
New

Jaguar XE Premiered In London

IN Jaguar, XE, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XE S, Wearnes Automotive

Wraps were finally off the 3 Series, A4 and C-Class competitor; 'exhilarating performance' and 'precise handling' are among Jaguar's promise


Fortunately, the list price of the Jetta Highline is not too lofty. At $126,300 with COE, it sounds like pretty good value to us, considering the fact that it is also one of the safest cars in its class with six airbags and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), contributing to its five-star rating by Euro NCAP. Want one? The Jetta Highline will be soaring into VW showrooms from the 6th of September 2014.
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Volkswagen Jetta Highline Soars In

IN Volkswagen, Jetta, Highline, DSG, TSI, ESP, VW

Volkswagen freshens up the Jetta with a 'higher' trim level.


However when it came my turn to drive, things changed. While I attempted to drive in Eco mode for roughly 10 kilometers or so, the straight and open road was too tempting. Next I knew, SKM 3477 P was driven in Dynamic, gears were shifted via the paddle-shifter and the fastest lane was where I stayed until the Sungai Besi toll.
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The Audi A3 Fuel Efficiency Drive

IN Audi, A3, A3 Sedan, Sedan, Premium Automobiles, Audi Singapore

The task at hand was to drive the 122 bhp A3 Sedan to KL and back on just one tank — the end was an interesting twist though…


Anyway, back to the plot. The Evoque was treated with much respect (in 'Dynamic' mode, no less): late braking, hard flicks, flooring the accelerator when traffic permits, taking corners like a hot-hatch. In other words, I drove it like I just stole it, went to rob a bank and am racing towards the Malaysian border — except I am (a) no where as buffed as Channing Tatum nor (b) as bad-ass as Stallone. Every single day for half a week, I drove that way. Journey to the office has not been this fun and fast (sorry Range Rover, the M235i still blew my mind moaarr).
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Fashionable Mobility | Range Rover Evoque (Dynamic)

IN Range Rover, Evoque, Land Rover, Dynamic, Rangie, Black Design Pack, Wearnes

With a new 9-speed auto transmission, the Evoque’s desirability factor just went up a notch


Handling wise, there is no surprise that the M235i possesses an exceptionally high level of grip — even more than the slightly tweaked M135i I reviewed before. You could feel the traction control holding the car together as you attack tightening corners (read: Tampines Avenue 5 into PIE, Xilin Avenue into ECP, Bedok South Avenue 1 into ECP), and that adds an extra sense of confidence; this is complimented further by the positive and meaty steering even nearing the limits. And oh, credit should also be given to the low-profile 225/30 R-19 front and 245/30 R-19 rear Pirelli P Zero rubbers fitted.
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235-35-35, Special Delivery | BMW M235i

IN BMW, M, M235i, Coupe, 2 Series, Munich Automobiles, Pizza Hut

It is properly fast; Pizza Hut should perhaps invest in a fleet for super speedy delivery service


After all, the Golf is no lightweight considering its 1,184 kg kerbweight; and (on paper) it can only whip out some 104 bhp and 175 Nm (available from as low as 1,550 rpm, though) of torque. Last but not least, 10.2 seconds is needed to get from 0 to 100 km/h.
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The Singapore Car | Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI

IN Volkswagen, Golf, 1.2 TSI, VW, 1.2, Turbocharged, DSG

A full-sized hatchback with a small engine equates to a money-saving proposition — exactly what every Singaporean driver desired…


But when you think of opulence, you do not associate it with diesel as diesel is always seen as “a poor man’s fuel” in a country full of snobbish dieselphobes like ours. Which is why diesel powered cars are still not being widely embraced, and mostly limited only to taxis and commercial fleets.
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A Touch Of Class | Range Rover Vogue TDV6

IN Range Rover, Range Rover Vogue SDV6, Diesel, Wearnes Automotive, Land Rover

A diesel Range Rover was probably unheard of here, but it actually works well; with class.


Those set of big brakes on the X5 M50d sure works brilliantly; there were several instances while going way past the highway-legal speeds, where I was cut off by slower traffic on the fastest lane. Without fail, it managed to slow the car down every single time. Plus due to the stiffer suspension system, it does not nosedive rudely to make you look silly like a nervous amateur racer on his debut…
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A Different Kind of Vitamin | BMW X5 M50d

IN BMW, M, X5 M50d, X5, Diesel, Munich Automobiles, SUV

While there is no denying this is no full-blown M X5, the tri-turbo’d SUV offers the best of both worlds


BUT just to be clear, not for a full-fledged family of five though; more for the (a) with two young kids, (b) has only one child or (b) have a kid and a dog, that sort.
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The Bare Minimum | MINI Cooper

IN MINI, Mini, Cooper, MINI Cooper, 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

The new generation MINI Cooper now comes with a 3-cylinder, turbocharged lump; have they gone backward, or is this the latest technological marvel?


Although the second-generation Cayenne remains highly sought after, Porsche was not contented. They knew that a smaller, cheaper SUV model would provide more appeal for the brand. Tadaa… Meet the Macan.
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Making A Case | Porsche Macan S

IN Porsche, Macan, Porsche Macan, Macan S, Eurokars Group, Porsche Centre Singapore, Stuttgart Auto Pte Ltd

Porsche’s Cayenne is a big seller in Singapore; it looks like the new Macan - particularly the Macan S - is set to follow suit


Out on the expressway, there’s a surprisingly good degree of comfort; this despite the car running on Renault’s revered sporty Cup chassis. And no, it will not cause passengers to barf over road irregularities.
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Now, Seriously | Renault Clio RS Cup

IN Renault, Clio, RenaultSport, RS, Clio RS, Cup, Wearnes Automotive

Renault’s latest Clio RS brings a party along everywhere it goes


On the outside, the CLA45 looks pretty much like a Sport-kitted CLA. Which is, erm, not good. I expected flared arches and a fatter bodykit, but no. Put them side by side, and you would probably be very hard-pressed to tell the difference between a CLA45 AMG and a Sport-kitted CLA200 with AMG-styled wheels. Perhaps they are saving the more aggressive look for the Black Series? Whatever the case, your $300K is not getting you a very different looking CLA.
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Rocket Sedan | Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG

IN Mercedes-Benz, CLA, AMG, Daimler, CLA45

The stylish CLA45 AMG is the fastest compact sedan around. It's even got the luxury branding of a Mercedes-Benz. Unfortunately, the price is also rather 'luxurious'.


Handling wise, the GLA 200 behaves more like a hatchback, despite the taller stance. In its entirety, it is surefooted and planted, with the firm steering — although a tad artificial compared to the X1’s - providing good feedback. Body-roll can still be felt, but it does nothing to shake your confidence as you commit to that tight right-hander.
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Rise And Shine | Mercedes-Benz GLA 200

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, GLA, GLA 200, GLA Class, MB

Right when interest for BWW’s X1 and Audi’s Q3 is beginning to decline, Mercedes comes in with a bang with their GLA; genius…


If you suddenly lost the interest to continue reading this review, don’t worry about it; we understand, bro.
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Watch Your Back | Alpina B3 Biturbo

IN Alpina, B3, Biturbo, BMW, Alpina B3 Biturbo

The other hyper 3 Series but with 600 Nm of torque, enough to scare supercars — or is it?


If you do feel ham-fisted, rest assure that the 220i can still misbehave. Being a rear-wheel drive, oversteers are possible; not that we are encouraging, but you know, #justsaying.
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2 Be, Or Not 2 Be | BMW 220i Coupe

IN BMW, 2 Series, 220i, Coupe, 220i Coupe, Beemer, Performance Motors, YOLO

Can’t decide what car to reward yourself with after working hard since graduating from university? BMW has the answer…


Handling wise, the Golf R is pinpoint sharp and definitely feels one notch higher than the GTI. Thanks to the 4Motion four-wheel drive system, ever alert traction control and XDS cross differential lock, you can enter tight corners at speed and also flick the car into a turn without worrying about any understeer. In fact, you might even feel the rear about to throw itself into a drift but like magic, the car will just correct itself. That said, body-roll is still obvious; it’s not the sort that throws you off, but the type that adds more sensation into your drive. If you want something that is more focused on all out grip and controlled body movements, then you might want to look at Renault’s Megane RS instead…
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Rock On | Volkswagen Golf R

IN Volkswagen, VW, Golf, Golf R, R, Veedub, Volkswagen Group Singapore

VW’s ultimate Golf returns — for all family men, there is still hope for non-boring motoring…


Well, that is on paper. Factor in the almost 2-tonne kerb weight and you should be able to realize why it takes 9.5 seconds to get from standstill to 100km/h. Realistically speaking though, the 508 RXH feels brisk when moving off traffic light junctions; it won’t do the job as rapid as an A4 Avant (2.0 TFSI quattro), but it is not as breathless as you would expect as well. I took the car up for a day-trip to Melaka, and I must say it does the job of chomping mileage at high speeds rather respectably — notably, while it seems flat higher up the power band, the sweet spot lies within the mid-range.
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Rubic’s Cube | Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid

IN Peugeot, 508, 508 RXH, Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid, Pug, Diesel, Hybrid

Peugeot is aggressively introducing diesel-powered models, and to up the ante, they have a hybrid-diesel wagon available now — yay, or nay?



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