• Johan van Tongeren's Impreza began its life in early 2000. But as the white paint fouled up after ten years, Johan decided to spruce it up himself and gave it a name:
    DOCUMENTED: 27.03.2012 | 01:07 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    The Barracuda | Subaru Impreza WRX GC8

    Johan's Barracuda isn't just a rolling art display, it is built like a tank with all the firepower too!

    Photos: Vincent Roos and his father Reproduced with permission from www.wanganwarriors.com If there was one car that defined Suba ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Subaru, Impreza, GC8, Holland
    • Johan van Tongeren's Impreza began its life in early 2000. But as the white paint fouled up after ten years, Johan decided to spruce it up himself and gave it a name:
    • Why green? Johan simply didn't want the Barracuda to be
    • By now you will have noticed the decals on the lovely matte green wrap. They are not bunch of random stickers and decals put together. At some point during the wrapping process, Johan's girlfriend saw a picture of a tank in a photo album and suggested adding identical tank decals on the Subaru to add to the cool factor.
  • Grip comes courtesy of 225/40R18 Continental ContiSportContact 3‎ tyres. This car also rides lower and firmer thanks to BC Racing's BR series coilovers.
    DOCUMENTED: 14.12.2011 | 20:18 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Lights, Camera, Action! | Mitsubishi Lancer EX 2.0 GT

    When the Lancer EX arrived on our shores, we all thought it was a good-looking car. And as expected, it was indeed a hit with the local car buyers but what about enthusiasts?

    The EX is the biggest Lancer to date. In Singapore, we're offered a rather weedy 1.5-litre variant, this beefier 2.0-litre as well as ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Mitsubishi, Lancer, EX, 2.0, GT, Modified
    • Grip comes courtesy of 225/40R18 Continental ContiSportContact 3‎ tyres. This car also rides lower and firmer thanks to BC Racing's BR series coilovers.
    • Fast forward to today, with the aftermarket parts now widely available, Prem Roy's ride is certainly one of the good examples out there.
    • Let's start with some weight-shaving carbon-fibre stuff – the boot lid's by Robson Design, while that wing is from Carbon Revo...
  • He has bought and sold numerous cars over the years. To make way for the CLS 350 you’re seeing here, he had to let go of a Bimmer. “Saw it once, and I just fell in love with it immediately”.
    DOCUMENTED: 04.12.2011 | 09:57 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Subtle And Clean Cut | Mercedes-Benz CLS 350

    The new generation CLS by Mercedes-Benz is rare; finding a kitted one - like this fine example here - is just like finding a needle in a haystack

    Photos: Low Fai Ming ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : CLS, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedec-Benz CLS 350, CLS 350, Brabus, DPE
    • He has bought and sold numerous cars over the years. To make way for the CLS 350 you’re seeing here, he had to let go of a Bimmer. “Saw it once, and I just fell in love with it immediately”.
    • So the saying goes, “the car is the extension of a man”. Which is very true, as the car you see a man usually drive describes a lot about him.
    • See him drive a hot-hatch, and the word “reckless” pops into your head. See a slightly older man with large glasses plus thinning hair drive a convertible, and you’ll definitely think “mid-life crisis”. See a stylish, well-groomed man and you will definitely know that this man has great taste in his set of wheel.
  • So what made Marcio pick up a Chevette 2-door sedan? Like most of us, he was looking for a better way to getting around than walking. Of course, the choice of engines wasn't spectacular – neither was the power.
    DOCUMENTED: 15.11.2011 | 03:56 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Marcio's Ride | 1992 Chevrolet Chevette

    Why are we so interested in an eco small sedan? Like they say, beauty is only skin deep...

    Photos: Marcio The Chevrolet Chevette was quite a sale success, but it was fighting a loosing battle with the “revolutionary&r ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Chevrolet, Chevette, Volkswagen, Engine swap, Tuned
    • So what made Marcio pick up a Chevette 2-door sedan? Like most of us, he was looking for a better way to getting around than walking. Of course, the choice of engines wasn't spectacular – neither was the power.
    • It all began when he arrived at a Brazilian garage, Gstage Curitiba. At that time, they were busy working on a prototype called the Spyder – an open cockpit “Progressive Performance Project”. Thrilled by the roar of prototype's engine, it certainly got Marico to work on his own car.
    • The archaic engine was replaced by spanking 2.0-litre Volkswagen block. With heads reworked, new forged pistons and connecting rods, the engine breathes through 42mm ITB's, a 4-1 extractor and 2.5” exhaust piping
  • Suspension tweaks have been made to the rear axle subframe, which is bolted firmly in position and the suspension features adjustment threads on the dampers for individual variation of the inbound and rebound strokes.
    DOCUMENTED: 20.10.2011 | 18:50 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Vitamin Boost | BMW M3 GTS

    Long overdue, our exclusive feature of this mad orange BMW M3 GTS is finally on our pages. Once again, words cannot express our love for this car, so we'll let our photos speak their thousand words.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming As most of you would know by now, this is no ordinary M3. The BMW M3 GTS is a lightweight performer all the way ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, Munich Automobiles, M3, M3 GTS
    • Suspension tweaks have been made to the rear axle subframe, which is bolted firmly in position and the suspension features adjustment threads on the dampers for individual variation of the inbound and rebound strokes.
    • The V8 is bored to 4.4 litres and boosted to push 450 bhp. A crankcase made of a special aluminium-silicon alloy and constructed in bedplate design, individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with ion flow technology, all unique to the GTS.
    • Power is transmitted via the double-clutch seven-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox. Which shifts gears without the slightest interruption of engine power. Tailored specifically to the modified power unit of the BMW M3 GTS, the driver is able to shift gears both through the selector lever on the centre console and through special M shift paddles on the steering wheel.
  • DOCUMENTED: 31.03.2011 | 14:46 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Thinking Big | Daihatsu Copen

    Our guest writer David, ponders about the cute little Daihatsu Copen.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming The original Copen was not really very handsome. It was slightly cute on the outside, slapped with a plain grill ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Daihatsu, Copen, Kei
    • The Copen's economically friendly JB-DETi engine dishes out a measly 63 bhp worth of power on a FF drive train sheltered by an impressive body structure that is intelligently equalized with lightweight components and vehicle rigidity. All these contributed to an extraordinary curb weight of only 810 kg and I assure you that it would be an uphill task for the Copen to even hit the one-tonne mark.
    • To the enthusiast, the Copen could have been faster. The turbo-charged DOHC engine pushes the car to the max of just touching 140 km/h. The luckier Europeans get the naturally aspirated K3-VE engine that you could floor all the way up to 170 km/h, but the turbo charged JB-DETi on the other hand equates to higher-revving fun courtesy of the snail, which presents a potentially interesting tuning factor, but then again one could always fit a YRV turbo engine in. As for handling, what lies beneath the chassis are performance braces coupled to the key under body joints. The steering is amazingly responsive for a Daihatsu, all thanks to some neat performance modifications done to the advanced suspension system by Magna Powertrain (Austria).
  • But I think your car has strabismus. Your engineers said that it helps to provide better aerodynamics and apparently they are the only ones who think so. And I reckon I’m right because your blokes at Malvern Link rectified the eye problem four years ago. We were all spot-on except you because being cross-eyed was never a gift especially when you have a recessed nose. It makes driving in the night a grueling task and you can’t have auto headlights as a factory option. That’s the precision you get with hand-built cars.
    DOCUMENTED: 14.03.2011 | 15:59 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Oh Morgan! | Morgan Aero 8

    Our writer pens a 'letter' to Morgan as he reflects on his encounter with their bespoke supercar, the one and only, defectively flawless, Morgan Aero 8.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming Would you believe me if I told you that I saw one of your soft-top supercars today? It was that pa ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Morgan, Aero 8
    • But I think your car has strabismus. Your engineers said that it helps to provide better aerodynamics and apparently they are the only ones who think so. And I reckon I’m right because your blokes at Malvern Link rectified the eye problem four years ago. We were all spot-on except you because being cross-eyed was never a gift especially when you have a recessed nose. It makes driving in the night a grueling task and you can’t have auto headlights as a factory option. That’s the precision you get with hand-built cars.
    • You are learning, however. You finally decided to make your car safer by deploying the alloy chassis structure with the help of the “Mad Monk” race engineer Christopher Lawrence, even though I have failed to appreciate your British humour of making your customers sit in an aluminum-clad wooden tub that rested on a steel chassis. There must be some personal reasons for being oxymoronic but it’s all right, simply because you had managed to breathe life into one of the antiquated looking super cars in the world.
    • I remembered it came with a 4.4 litre double “VANOS” valvetronic V8 dishing 325bhp and 448Nm of torque under the hood previously that was done up by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG which was later upgraded to a 4.8 litre V8 boasting over 367bhp. You showed the world that The War was never really in remembrance by the people because they realized it was so much more fun stroking a Brit with a German Getrag six-speed. I have no doubt that Richard Hammond would have driven over 270km/h on it in one piece without crashing the airfield. He knows anything that hits 0-100km/h in four sub seconds should be driven safely, considering that it weighs lighter than a Ferrari Enzo FXX and just over a hundred kilogrammes heavier than a certain Rolls Royce Orpheus powered jet car.
  • The Crossfire's striking exterior is the epitome of Chrysler's corporate styling DNA, sharing traits that can be found on the PT Cruiser. One particular highlight of the car is its central spine which runs from the front bumper, via the grille running all the way through the long bonnet, roof line and into the rear bumper - a signature design of the Crossfire that has worked to great visual effect.
    DOCUMENTED: 23.02.2011 | 16:45 GMT +8 | 1 COMMENTS

    Caught In A... | Chrysler Crossfire

    A stunning looking car that looks gorgeous from any angle, the Chrysler Crossfire has certainly won Susan and Mark over. But why?

    Photos: Low Fai Ming Built in Germany in collaboration with Karmann, the Crossfire is an amalgam of styl ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Chrysler, Daimler, Crossfire, SLK
    • The Crossfire's striking exterior is the epitome of Chrysler's corporate styling DNA, sharing traits that can be found on the PT Cruiser. One particular highlight of the car is its central spine which runs from the front bumper, via the grille running all the way through the long bonnet, roof line and into the rear bumper - a signature design of the Crossfire that has worked to great visual effect.
    • As for the rear, one can find an electronically deployed rear spoiler that is powered by an electric motor. The spoiler can be activated in less than five seconds as the car gains speed. However the spoiler can also be deployed manually at any speed at the touch of a button.
    • Interior wise, the styling of the Crossfire is simple yet functional with the cabin large enough to accommodate two adults with generous head and leg room. The dashboard detailing, steering wheel spokes, door sill plates and fitment of leather as standard gives the car an upmarket appearance though the speaker grille rings and instrument surrounds that are enhanced with a satin silver finish does feel a bit cheap and tacky, a chrome or brushed aluminium surface would have been a much better choice.
  • Yes, you got that right – both husband and wife own a BMW each. Mind you, these BMWs are not ordinary ones at that. The husband goes around in his fire breathing 507bhp M5 sedan, while the wife settled for a demure and rare, (probably the only one in town) - BMW 135i Cabriolet. The colours individually chosen by them can also come across as the culmination of Yin and Yang - not exactly black, more of dark blue actually for the M5 and in the 135i's case white, but you get the idea.
    DOCUMENTED: 18.02.2011 | 11:03 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Double The Fun, Even In The Sun | BMW M5 & 135i Cabriolet

    The husband drives an M5, and the wifey drives a rare 135i Cabriolet – truly a match made in heaven, for both owners and their cars.

    Photos: Low Fai Ming For most Singaporeans, owning a car is already a dream come true. And then for most drivers, owning a ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, M5, 135i
    • Yes, you got that right – both husband and wife own a BMW each. Mind you, these BMWs are not ordinary ones at that. The husband goes around in his fire breathing 507bhp M5 sedan, while the wife settled for a demure and rare, (probably the only one in town) - BMW 135i Cabriolet. The colours individually chosen by them can also come across as the culmination of Yin and Yang - not exactly black, more of dark blue actually for the M5 and in the 135i's case white, but you get the idea.
    • Let’s talk about the M5 first. As most would know, the M5 is one of the most highly regarded performance saloon ever churned out by the Munich-based car maker and even in Singapore, it’s popularity is significant. Despite having close competitors in the form of Mercedes-Benz’s E63 AMG and Jaguar’s XFR, the M5 remains the definitive choice among keen drivers – positive steering, brilliant power-to-weight ratio and BMW’s much-revered rear-wheel drive configuration that allows you to play hooligan every once in a while.
    • Technically speaking, the M5 remains one of the most advanced. To cope with all that power, mostly delivered to the rear tyres, it comes standard with driving aids such as the torque-sensitive M differential lock that ensures grip is constantly present even under extreme driving and a unique M dynamic mode that allows the driver to fully exploit the car, but (ironically) within control. And on top of all that, the M5 gives the driver all the flexibility in the world to pick his driving setting for the day simply via the iDrive system. Select this, select that, and tadaa… the road – and bend - is your oyster.
  • It's odd that I should find myself worried about how you readers will take to that last sentence. We have come to a point in the motoring industry that performance car makers are doing away with manual gearboxes, and dual-clutch transmissions are everything - they're faster, easier to live with, and offer the best of both worlds. Which begs the question, which 'two worlds' are we talking about exactly? The world of expedient step-and-go driving? Maybe. The world of engaging and immense motoring fun? Not necessarily so.
    DOCUMENTED: 10.01.2011 | 06:36 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Manic. Magical. Manual. | BMW M3 Coupé (M)

    A maniacally fast coupé that handles magically with the joys of a good ol' manual gearbox. There, my review of the BMW M3 is pretty much done.

    Photos: Joel Tam Some of you might know that I'm a family man. With three kids often in tow, I must agree that the M3 sedan with the swee ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : BMW, M3, V8, Coupé, Manual
    • It's odd that I should find myself worried about how you readers will take to that last sentence. We have come to a point in the motoring industry that performance car makers are doing away with manual gearboxes, and dual-clutch transmissions are everything - they're faster, easier to live with, and offer the best of both worlds. Which begs the question, which 'two worlds' are we talking about exactly? The world of expedient step-and-go driving? Maybe. The world of engaging and immense motoring fun? Not necessarily so.
    • Where would the fun be if I gave you a fishing rod that could reel in your catch with the pull of a trigger, or a guitar that would play a chord at a touch of a button? The manual gearbox allows the driver to do one thing no automatic gearbox can. Express himself.
    • There are very few cars out there that will allow you to thoroughly express and realise your every driving dream. The BMW M3 Coupé with a manual gearbox is one of them.
  • DOCUMENTED: 21.08.2010 | 03:44 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Grey Hound | Scirocco 2.0TSI

    This monochromatic Scirocco is sleek and quick. With some add-on bits and an MTM Stage 1 tune, it's pretty much all you'll need to 'roc and roll.

    Photos: Syed Ahmad The standard 2-litre turbocharged unit found in the Scirocco is by no means a slouch, but hey, we always want more don ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Volkswagen, Scirocco, Turbo, DSG, Grey
  • Raw experience means no roof and doors, so only dry weather driving please.
    DOCUMENTED: 10.08.2010 | 16:50 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Simplify and add lightness | Caterham CSR200

    Never before available in Singapore, one private owner has successfully registered an extremely unique sports car - the Cosworth powered Caterham Super 7 CSR200.

    Photos: Joel Tam Based in Caterham, Surrey, England, Caterham Cars are known for manufacturing specialist lightweight sportscars. Their s ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Caterham, CSR200, Lotus, Lotus Seven
    • Raw experience means no roof and doors, so only dry weather driving please.
    • Caterham did well to keep this classic and sporty model alive till this modern age. CSR's new suspension system required adjustments to the chassis, resulting in 25 percent increase in torsional stiffness.
    • Classic 60's styling still looks cool in a retro way. Large nose cone complete with a floor mounted chin combine to reduce the front end lift by 50 percent.
  • DOCUMENTED: 13.07.2010 | 13:13 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Trio of 8

    We received encouraging comments from our recent Audi R8 shoot, so we're bringing you more! These beautiful machines were shot by our new contributing photographer. Enjoy.

    Photos: Syed Ahmad ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi, R8, V8, White
  • DOCUMENTED: 06.07.2010 | 07:10 GMT +8 | 1 COMMENTS

    A White Tie Affair | Audi R8 V8

    This pristine white R8 is immaculate inside and out. Clad with a deep-growling aftermarket exhaust and minor exterior enhancements, this classy unit will turn heads without being over-the-top.

    Photos: Joel Tam A rich growl from the Milltek exhaust system fills the Mandai air as this clean looking R8 approaches behind me. The ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Audi, R8, V8, White, Milltek
  • DOCUMENTED: 18.05.2010 | 12:15 GMT +8 | 0 COMMENTS

    Double Dose | A Pair of EVO GSRs

    What's interesting about these cars is that they belong to the same owner. Many people have two or more cars, but rarely does a person buy the same model, twice! It simply shows how great the Evo is.

    Photos: Joel Tam You may notice by now that we at Burnpavement love the Mitsubishi Evolution. I had the privilege of owning one a fe ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Evo, GSR, Yellow, White
  • DOCUMENTED: 02.05.2010 | 06:28 GMT +8 | 1 COMMENTS

    It's A Materia World | Daihatsu Materia

    This bippu styled Materia 1.5A might not be a pavement burner, but its cool and funky looks give it the right amount of street-cred to cruise down any boulevard.

    Photos: Joel Tam This funky model by Daihatsu shares the same genes as its Toyota twin brother, the bB. In the local 1.5L variant, the ca ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Daihatsu, Materia, Bippu, White, VIP, BB
  • DOCUMENTED: 29.04.2010 | 16:49 GMT +8 | 1 COMMENTS

    Loud & Proud | Evolution 9 GSR

    This heavily modded menace once ruled our streets with a claimed 700bhp! It has since been de-kitted and the body exported. Which is not a bad thing in my opinion...

    Photos: Joel Tam When I first heard this car approaching, it gave me goose bumps. Similar to the ground-shaking experience when a Harley ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Evo, Blue, Gsr
  • Lovely dual exhausts give more bark to the car aurally and visually.
    DOCUMENTED: 09.04.2010 | 11:00 GMT +8 | 2 COMMENTS

    A Perfect 10 | Mitsubishi Evo X

    Some cars are just over modified. For cars like the Evo 10, the stock 300bhp is more than enough. Add a little cosmetic touches, and you have (to us) the perfect 10.

    Photos: Joel Tam 500bhp, 600bhp, 800bhp, 1000bhp. When will the insatiable quest for power ever end? The Evo is a car often subject to t ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Evo, Red,
    • Lovely dual exhausts give more bark to the car aurally and visually.
    • Carbon fibre bits add more 'horsepower' to the car in the looks department.
    • The handsome looks grow on you. Nothing in that price range offers more aggression and that grown-up 'beng' appeal.
  • Even though the 1 series is really like a squashed 3 series - some angles are still rather handsome.
    DOCUMENTED: 06.04.2010 | 06:45 GMT +8 | 4 COMMENTS

    Black is back! BMW 135i Coupe

    Powered by a 3-liter twin-turbocharged engine producing 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. This baby Bimmer is in Porsche Cayman S territory - at half the price.

    Photos: Joel Tam So how do you stick your nose up the arse of a Cayman S without having to break the bank? The BMW 135i is the answer. Of ... MORE

    ARCHIVED IN : Bmw, 135i, Black, 19
    • Even though the 1 series is really like a squashed 3 series - some angles are still rather handsome.
    • The view a Porsche Cayman S will be seeing after the 135i passes stage 2 tuning.
    • Black helps keep the lines on the Coupe looking sleek.