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Happenings

Attack of the Titans

IN Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, GLE, SUV, Coupe, AMG, Facelift

The Mercedes ML SUV has just been given a facelift and a new variant added, but don’t call it that. Instead, say hello to the GLE and GLE Coupé


Over its nearly four decade history, the 7-series was the first to feature some of the technology we take for granted in cars today, such as HID headlamps, and a centrally-controlled entertainment system (iDrive), just to name a few. Sadly though, the tyre spikes, sunroof-mounted rockets and remote control system found on James Bond’s E38 7-series in Tomorrow Never Dies still haven’t made it to production yet…
Happenings

BMW Asia launches tech-laden new 7-series

IN BMW, 7 series, 740Li, 750Li, Limousine, Luxury, Sedan, Germany, Launch

The sixth generation of BMW’s flagship sedan is here, and it’s lighter, cleverer and more luxurious than before.


BP — The previous 3 generations of MX-5 had a design that was quite cute, rounded and smiley, which clearly evolved over the years. Why then did the ND's styling suddenly change to something quite aggressive and angry? Nakayama — Of course, compared to the previous generations, the design is more aggressive, but I personally believe the most important thing is not how it compares to the older cars. When you look at the car without prior knowledge about the previous models, whether it is beautiful or aggressive or not, is not the most important thing. I believe that when we introduced the first-generation model, among all the players in the industry, car design had certain tendencies. So maybe every player had a much more pretty or softer face. But now, so many players have a much more aggressive face and complex design. So I think that compared to the other players today, the design is not that aggressive.
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part II | Masashi Nakayama, Chief Designer

IN Mazda, MX-5, Interview, Chief, ND, Designer, Kodo

In the second of this two-part series, we sat down with the new MX-5’s Chief Designer to learn more about the car’s drastic change in appearance, and the role designers play in creating a new car.


But boy oh boy how things have changed for Jaguar now with their latest compact executive sedan. I strongly urge you: If you are about to head to either BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi showroom to confirm your order for the 3 Series, C-Class or A4 and hand over the deposit cheque, hold on to it first and tell the salesperson you intend to ‘sleep on it for another night’.
New

Jaguar XE 2.0 Prestige | Cat's Out Of The Bag

IN Jaguar, XE, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XE sedan, Jaaaaag, Wearnes Automotive

Jaguar’s latest XE poses a real threat to the more established Germans — hold on to your chequebook first


BP — If there was one location anywhere on Earth you could drive this car, the perfect road for this car, where would it be? Yamamoto — In Japan we have four seasons; in spring we have the cherry blossoms, in summer there is lots of sunshine so you can drive the car along the coast or beach, in autumn you can enjoy the leaves changing colour in the mountains, and in winter there is snow, and you can wrap up in a scarf and enjoy the scenery. So I believe you can enjoy the drive no matter when or where. I'm sure that no matter where you live, you can find a perfect place, so I'd like for you to find the best for yourself in your own country!
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part I | Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Programme Manager

IN Mazda, MX-5, Interview, Chief, ND

When the new Mazda MX-5 was launched here, two of the most important figures in its creation were in attendance. In the first of this two-part series, we had a chat with the car's Programme Manager.


The McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme is the ultra-exclusive ownership programme, offering specialist driver training, human performance and access to the McLaren racing simulator ahead of on track activity. This programme has been designed to prepare each driver mentally and physically, to allow them to fully exploit the abilities of the McLaren P1 GTR, which produces 986 bhp and runs on race-proven Pirelli slick tyres. The programme is completely bespoke, with each individual having a fully-tailored experience, working closely with a support team from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) comprising authentic professionals that have operated within the rarefied world of professional motor sport.
Motorsports

McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme Commences

IN McLaren, P1, P1 GTR, McLaren P1 GTR, McLaren Special Operations, MSO, McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme

McLaren's bespoke race programme gives the lucky few a fully-tailored experience


“These enthusiasts are taking great care in building their optimum specification,” said Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director. “We expected those first in the queue, many of whom are owners of previous RS models, to be exacting about their requirements, and so it has proved, with many opting for motorsport-style Recaro shell front seats, 19-inch black forged alloy wheels, luxury pack, electric tilt/side sunroof and Ford SYNC2 navigation and sound system.”
Happenings

1,500 Orders Already Received For Focus RS

IN Ford, Focus, RS, Focus RS, 2016 Ford Focus RS

Ford’s all-new Focus RS has raced up to 1,500 orders from UK buyers alone - all without a single test drive being taken


A company cannot survive on building niche sports cars alone; hence the Giulia wades into arguably the most hotly contested segment in the industry, butting heads with BMW’s 3 Series and Jaguar’s XE. First impressions are strong, with the Giulia sporting a long hood, short deck profile that can only come from a rear wheel drive architecture. A long wheelbase helps ensure an even 50/50 weight balance and carries a profile sporting the trademark Trefoil nose, voluptuous lines and narrow, angular tail-lights that give a distinctive look. The drive layout and weight balance hark back to the Giulia’s spiritual forefather, the 75/Milano, which was the high point of dynamics before Alfa went to the dark side with nose heavy, front wheel drive cars.
Happenings

Statement Of Intent

IN Alfa, Alfa Romeo, Giulia, Sedan, Sports, V6, Turbo, Cloverleaf, Quadrifoglio, QV

Set to compete in today’s well-established realm of luxury sport sedans, the Giulia melds Alfa Romeo’s rich heritage with modern engineering, marking a return to form.


Similar changes have been made to the car as compared with the original — the windscreen has been replaced with a minimalist carbonfibre 'aero' screen, the nose cone, front cycle wings and rear wings are made of carbonfibre, and the body is finished as standard in bare aluminium; the omission of paint alone saves six kilograms.
Happenings

Bare Bones

IN Caterham, Seven, 7, Superlight, Track, Anniversary, Edition, Special, UK

Caterham are known to make some of the most fearsome road legal cars around — even beating a Bugatti Veyron around the Top Gear track! And they all owe their lineage to one model: the Superlight


To ensure the former two are achieved, engineers have endowed the F-Pace with technologies first developed in its sportier brethren. The chassis benefits from Jaguar’s all-aluminium architecture, yielding a strong and light structure. This sets it apart from conventional steel-bodied crossovers and provides a stout platform for the suspension to work with. The aforementioned suspension also offers more sophistication than other crossovers, comprising a double wishbone design up front and an “integral link” multi-link setup in the rear. With a similar setup, the XE saloon was lauded for class-leading ride and handling, so it should not be a surprise if the F-Pace follows suit.
Happenings

Grace, Space and Pace

Can any automobile deliver all three attributes? Jaguar claims it can with the all new F-Pace


New

Seeing Double | Mazda CX-5 2.5 Luxury

IN Mazda, CX-5, SUV, Crossover, Facelift, Eurokars

First launched in 2012, the Mazda CX-5 has just gone through its mid-life refresh, and we’ve sampled it in range-topping 2.5L Luxury trim. But exactly how deep do the changes affect this new model?


Hence explaining why lawyers, or be it anyone in the legal industry, usually pick an Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Porsche. Usually they do so because of the badge and the fact that these cars are pretty easy to run and maintain.
New

The New Lawyer's Special | Lexus RC350 F-Sport

IN Lexus, RC350, Coupe, RC, Lexus RC350 Coupe, Borneo Motors

For those looking for a sleek coupe that’s dependable, you don’t have to look beyond this one from Lexus


Dr Co’s daily drive is a Jaguar XF S Diesel 3.0, which is undoubtedly a rather unconventional choice. The reasons for this choice? “Hands down, the brilliant fuel economy and torque available that drew me to the car”. For the curious, this diesel XF has 275 bhp and a whopping 600 Nm worth of torque on tap, does the 0 to 100 km/h run in 6 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h. All that coming from a 3-litre 6-cylinder turbodiesel powerplant mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Pit

The Caltex Techron — Burnpavement Reader Survey

IN Caltex, Chevron, Caltex petrols, Caltex Singapore, Diesel, Caltex Diesel With Techron D, Techron, Techron fuels

Our first panelist samples Caltex’s Diesel with Techron D, and here are his findings


The term
Happenings

All-new XC90 heralds a new beginning for Volvo

IN Volvo, XC90, Sweden, Wearnes, SUV, Launch, Luxury, Family

Gothenburg's maiden SUV finally gets a replacement, and it's much more important to the company than you might think


Happenings

All-new Volkswagen Passat arrives in Singapore

IN Volkswagen, VW, Passat, Singapore, Launch, New, Sedan

Over 23 million VW Passats have been sold since its inception in 1973. How much more can the latest version add to this?


The car we have here today is the highest specced HR-V LX Premium. The car looks great from afar. Even up close, the rakish lines and abundance of curves do the HR-V lots of favours in the image department. Trendy and modern-looking, the HR-V is a really striking SUV, much like the first generation HR-V that was launched here some 15 years ago. Unlike the first HR-V though, the new one doesn’t come in a 3-door variant. However, it has combined the look by having a concealed rear door handle like the Alfa Romeo 156, 147 and more recently, the Giulietta (the new Civic hatchback will have them too).
New

Fun-sized SUV | Honda HR-V 1.5

This new sport utility vehicle (SUV) from Honda might be compact, but it leaves a big impression on anyone who’s willing to get behind the wheel.


The production-based, 330 bhp concept car is assembled in accordance with TCR Regulations and is intended to allow Volkswagen to evaluate a possible customer racing programme as of the 2016 season. In order to accelerate the development process, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions in the TCR between now and the end of the season.
Motorsports

TCR-prepped Golf wins at its debut race.

IN Singapore, Golf, TCR, Touringcar Racer International Series, Volkswagen, Pol Rosell

The race Golf we reported about last week made headlines by winning its debut race, claiming its first victory at the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) in Austria.


Projek

I Bought One: Lotus Elise 1.8 (M)

About six months ago, we decided to swap our Golf GTI for this sexy little number. Here's a quick intro to the car we got.


In fact, partner Liqui Moly Team Engstler will be running two cars at the eighth round of the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg (A). This will be the first competitive test for the car. “The newly created TCR category provides a promising platform for customer racing — on a national and international level. With exciting races, production-based technology and reasonable costs, it offers a new outlook for private racing teams,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito.
Motorsports

A Golf for the racetrack.

This TCR-ready (Touringcar Racer International Series) Golf concept is one mean wide-bodied hatchback on steroids.


The inaugural programme started with a camp held from 22 to 25 June 2015, participated by 320 lower secondary school students from 13 secondary schools in the Central Singapore District. They embarked on a learning journey to Universal Studios Singapore (USS) and were introduced to the mechanics and physics behind the construction of a theme park ride. Through guided tours and briefings conducted by trained facilitators at USS, the students picked up new knowledge on STEM principles. They were then given a chance to put what they learnt to the test.
Happenings

Fuelled To Go Further.

IN Caltex, Chevron, Central CDC, Singapore, STEM

Caltex partnered Central Singapore CDC to bring “Fuel Your School”, a global Chevron community initiative, to Singapore for the first time.



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