That said, it’s not saying the A1 isn’t a success story here locally. To date, the A1 has quite some presence — well, making it come loaded with a list of option and different state of tunes surely gave it a wider audience. And now with the newest 5-door variant, Audi’s baby definitely has a trump card against the aging Mini. With that two extra doors, practicality and versatility is definitely it’s strongest selling point. On top of that, it’s far more glamorous than a VW Polo GTI.
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Class Act | Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI

IN Audi A1, Audi A1 Sportback, A1, A1 Sportback, Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles

Audi’s A1 was once considered a vain effort to meddle with Mini’s pie, but now in 5-door guise, it’s turning into quite the proposition.


...ok, I remember saying I'll be nice, so let's start with the good points. It's a handsome car. It looks like a smaller version of its older brother, the bulky but aggressive Subaru Legacy. Also, it looks way better than the model it replaces, Subaru has gone back to adding some mild fender flares to accentuate the wider stance. Still, it's no award-winning design.
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Are You Imprezed? | Subaru Impreza 1.6

IN Subaru, Impreza, 1.6, Boxer

Subaru's new bread and butter sedan could not be launched at a worse time. High COEs and a market filled with many more alternatives. It has to be really special to stand out.


The characteristic lines of the exterior design indicate both of these attributes: front and rear sport a width-emphasizing design, with a wide, prominent grille and headlamps extending along the sides at the front while the rear end features a wide rear window, two-piece tail lights with horizontally offset meander and a large tailgate with low loading sill. The new B-Class measures in at 4,359 mm long, 1,786 mm wide and 1,557 mm tall.
New

New B-Class Arrives; Only B 200 Variant Available For Now

IN Mercedes-Benz, B-Class, B 200, Mercedes-Benz B 200, Cycle & Carriage

The second generation of the B-Class car heralds a new compact class era at Mercedes-Benz in terms of both design and technology.


But before we get all carried away shooting this GTi (yes, with a small ‘i’ to not be confused with the other GTI) down, let’s put this into perspective: a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. Sounds good. 200 bhp and — here’s the better part — all that 275 Nm worth of torque kicking in from as low as 1,700 rpm.
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I Spy With My (Not So) Little i | Peugeot 308 GTi

IN Peugeot, Peugeot 308 GTi, 308, Pug, GTi, AutoFrance

We know the big question ringing in your head: Is Peugeot’s latest GTi a vain effort to capture a slice of VW’s pie, or is it a really competent competitor?


Being an Infiniti, there is never any shortage of acceleration when it is needed. The 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivers 360 hp, backed up by 350 Nm of torque at 5,000 rpm. The electric motor is rated at 67 HP (50 kW) and provides high torque from zero rpm, peaking at 270 Nm at just 1,770 rpm, ensuring dynamic performance from standstill.
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Infiniti's M35h Hybrid - Zero To Hero In 5.5 Seconds

IN Infiniti, M35, M35h, Hybrid, Infiniti M35h Hybrid, Infiniti Singapore, Wearnes Automotive

Infiniti's first hybrid to use a new-generation Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid technology; one electric motor with twin-clutch system to deliver linear performance and consistent rear-drive handling


A diesel engine is actually 20-30% more efficient than a petrol engine, because more power is produced as a result of the higher compression of the air/fuel mixture. The much higher compression ratio means diesel engines have to be heavier and more robust.
New

Diesel Engines Revisited. Why Should We Bother?

IN Diesel, Caltex, Techron D, Singapore

New to the Burnpavement.com team, contributing writer Dr Kevin Co revisits the diesel engine and tells you if diesels are the way to go.


For most part, the Veloster drives very well. The steering feels accurate, there’s little body roll, the brakes are strong and assuring, the gearbox swaps between cogs smoothly even when you’re doing it the “+/-“ way. And there’s good composure while roving bumpy roads at speed. Importantly, with or without traction control working, the front suspension does a grand job of transferring all the power to the road without undue tricks (what understeer?).
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Avant-Garde | Hyundai Veloster MPI

IN Hyundai, Veloster, MPI, GDI, Hyundai Veloster, Komoco Motors

In a surprising twist, Hyundai put some design verve into their groundbreaking coupe; those looking for the latest (but affordable) fashion accessory should look here…


Now, the 5-Series Gran Turismo. From this angle, the first similarity we drew in our mind is the BMW X6 - a coupe-like SUV. Sure, it does have the handsome F10 5-Series Sedan face, albeit a slightly bigger grille and more aggressive styling.
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Who Am I? | BMW 535d Gran Turismo

IN BMW, 535d, Gran, Turismo, Diesel, Caltex, Techron D

Never before have we been puzzled by a name for new car. It suggests a two-door heritage, sexy and fast. Can this new crossover on the block live up to the claims?


That is until you view it from the side; the first give away. After all, the 991 was stretched by a further 100mm.
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The Wife Should Approve | Porsche 911 Carrera S

IN Porsche 911 Carrera S, Carrera, S, Carrera S, 911, 991, Porsche, PDK, Eurokars

It proved to be the everyday sports car, at the same time bringing the 911 to a whole new level up; still, should you buy one?


So that's enormous and powerful explained, what about the rest of the car? The massive SUV has always been handsome, so there's no denying that it is a good-looker. A strong and burly front-end with DRLs and a colossal signature Audi grille all combine to give the Q7 a tough yet subtle demeanor.
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Power House | Audi Q7 3.0 TDi

IN Audi, Q7, Premium Automobiles, Diesel, Caltex, Techron D

We'll sum up this car in two words. Enormous and powerful. There you have it, our article is pretty much done. If you'd like to read more though, we did spend some time penning down our thoughts.


I can't wait any longer. I want to know what 340 bhp feels like, so I floor it. Woah! This is a blisteringly quick car. From the lightning quick shifts from the S-tronic gearbox, to the sensational 5-cylinder engine soundtrack, this car is fast, fast, fast. The quattro drivetrain helps keep you in check too, so you can really exploit all that power. There's no doubt this car will smack the smirk off anyone driving a much more expensive sportscar. EVO or STi? No problem. Unless they've got a huge aftermarket turbo under the bonnet, the result will be the same - Germany 1, Japan 0.
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Mad Rapid Transit | Audi RS3

IN Audi, RS3, Premium Automobiles, Turbo

Audi's last hurrah for the A3 is this meteoric baby rocket known as the RS3. The smallest, but by no means the least of the brand's who's-your-daddy RS range. We drive this crazy-fast car.


So here is the new Focus then, in its third and - what must probably be - the finest iteration. It’s not merely a facelift, mind you; it’s a major rework. Updated engine, new transmission, new exterior and even a new antenna. Well the chassis remains largely similar to the second generation, only points to note are strengthened mountings, improved bushings and steering, and better brakes.
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Properly Focused | Ford Focus Sedan

IN Ford, Focus, Ford Focus, 2012 Ford Focus, Regent Motors, Titanium

Now into its third generation, has Ford finally found its sweet spot in the mid-size sedan segment here?


In 535i form, the car is of course, really powerful. Which makes it more than a regular load-lugger - this is essentially a sports-wagon. A Q-car. Something other road users will not expect to be a threat. That's exactly why I love it all the more.
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Real Estate | BMW 535i Touring

IN BMW, 535i, Touring, 5 Series, Performance Motors

Singapore's best-selling model for 2011 now comes with more space and a funky twin-boot. We drive the 535i Touring and see how it measures up as a sports-wagon.


As both are clad in go-fast suits, you can see bits of sporty items like the roof-mounted spoiler, detailed bumpers and twin-piped exhaust tip. Here is where Audi shows off its generosity: the A1 (with S-line kit) gets 18-inch alloys wrapped in low-profile 215/35 R-18 Bridgestone rubbers. The Cooper S on the other hand gets for itself a set of 17s wrapped in 205/45 R-17 Continentals. Since we’re at the topic of aesthetics, you will surely notice how both test cars come in rather unique colour shades — funky chocolate with silver roof pillars in the case of the A1, and bright blue with white roof for the Cooper S.
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Apple to Apple? | Audi A1 Vs Mini Cooper S

IN Mini, Cooper S, Mini Cooper S, Audi, A1, Audi A1 185bhp

The A1 is said to be Audi’s answer to BMW’s Mini, but what came out of this comparison was far more telling of these two car’s differences...


Sensuously sexy and compact in size, the latest MX-5 reminds me of my old flame, a first generation MX-5 (NA) I owned for awhile. I had never driven the new model (NC), but heard that this latest iteration is a rather worthy successor to the very first sweet handling model.
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Still The One | Mazda MX-5

IN Mazda, MX-5, MX5, Roadster, Convertible, Trans Eurokars, Eurokars

After finding out that the Mazda distributorship in Singapore had changed hands, we decided to give our good friends at Eurokars Group a call to see if we could get acquainted with the brand again.


But this time around in the case of Mini’s latest fashion accessory, the new Coupe shows off so much sheet metal style, it takes only those with keen eye for something different and brave to truly appreciate.
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Just Another Coupe? | Mini Cooper S Coupe

IN Mini, Mini Cooper S, Cooper, Coupe, Mini Cooper S Coupe, Mini Coupe

While some opined that Mini's Coupe is another marketing exercise, driving it proved to be more than just that


BMW 1-Series M Coupe - Small, light and FUN! BMW did piece together this car from bits through the parts box but the final product is amazing. When we thought cars were getting so easy (and boring) to drive, the new kid on the block showed us how driverkind can be saved. That electrifying sensation though the steering, coupled with the aural pleasure of that straight six and the eagerness to wag its tail. Oh and whatever you do, don't push that M... uh oh..
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The most impressionable cars we've driven this year.

IN Audi, BMW, Citroen, Lexus, MINI, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Volkswagen, Volvo

We sum up the cars of the year that did one thing well: Making us happy.


By now, you might be asking “is this pricier than a regular GTI?” Good news for you then, because you'll be getting an E35 if you order a GTI today — at no extra cost.
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Happy Birthday Golf! | Volkswagen Golf GTI E35

IN Volkswagen, Golf, GTI, E35, 2.0, TSI, Edition 35

The Edition 35 is Volkswagen’s way of celebrating 35 years of the evergreen Golf GTI. But is it the perfect anniversary present?


Road-holding and handling are areas that the French have always done reasonably well. The 308 CC is no different. While it may not be the grippiest car out there, the McPherson type front suspension and rear suspension with torsion beam setup do well to keep the car planted as it powers through corners, the Continental CSC3 wrapped 17
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French Open | Peugeot 308 CC

IN Peugeot, 308 CC, Convertible, Coupe-Cabriolets

With a new chiseled front-end, the new Peugeot 308 CC is less pretty but more handsome. Is the assertive look going to win more male buyers?


Bring the top up (it only takes 9 seconds), and you'll be surprised at how quiet the cabin is. For a soft-top convertible, the Golf manages to shut out most of the exterior ambient noise. Buses and heavy vehicles that rush by will still be very much audible though. But still very livable on a day-to-day basis.
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Drop That Top | Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

IN VW, Volkswagen, Golf, Cabriolet, Convertible

After a 9-year hiatus, the Golf Cabriolet is back! With a quick soft-top that retracts in 9 secs, this car is fast in more ways than one.



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