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With my curiosity seriously piqued, I headed to my two favourite B-roads at night, and this was when my eyebrows nearly joined the pole star (that’s the one in outer space, not the one from Sweden).

Firstly, there is the Polestar 2’s seeming incomprehension of the concept of understeer. There were a couple of instances where I was pretty damn sure I’d overcooked my corner entry, but no, the car pretty much sailed into the bend once I lifted off the brakes - not even a moment’s hesitation waiting for the front tyres to regain their grip. Even with deliberately over-aggressive throttle application when exiting corners, the car settles into more of a four-wheel drift instead of washing out at the front end.

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[Opinion] The Polestar 2 completely changed my mind about EVs. Here's why.

IN Polestar, 2, Polestar 2, EV, Sedan, Opinion

For BP’s diehard and handling-obsessed petrolhead, the future of cars in an EV-only world looked bleak; but the Polestar 2 might just be his guiding light

Where the electric dream short-circuits

I’m no scientist myself , but it’s highly unlikely that all our mobility needs can be met by electricity alone. Car makers might be diving into electrified vehicles in a big way (spurred on by legislation of course), but it’s far from a catch-all solution.

Flaws include its low energy density (by weight/volume), making the technology unsuitable for most heavy duty transport applications. Lorries, planes and ships would require such large battery packs that they’d be essentially useless at hauling cargo.

Happenings

Could synthetic fuels be the carbon-neutral power source we need?

IN Efuels, Synthetic fuels

“Electric power good, internal combustion bad” seems to be the popular thinking now, but electricity alone is very far from ideal. Can carbon-neutral synthetic fuels be the realistic solution the worl

When it comes to the latter, the entry version known as the i4 eDrive40, when fully-charged, is capable of a range of up to 590km. Timely, considering that Singapore drivers will be able to drive into Malaysia without restrictions again from April 1st. With such a range, the i4 should be able to be driven to Kuala Lumpur without any problems. It is also reassuring to know that Shell has a network of 180kW high-speed chargers along the North-South Expressway in Malaysia just in case the i4 or any other EV needs a quick juice-up.

Powered by a 250kW (340hp) and 430Nm electric motor that drives the rear wheels, this enables this EV to accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.7 seconds.

Happenings

BMW i4 launched in Singapore

IN BMW, I4, EV, 4 Series

The first four-door EV from BMW sets the brand on a direct course with the Tesla Model 3 in its sights

Classics

Be mesmerised by priceless classics drifting on a frozen lake at ICE St Moritz

IN Concours, ICE St Moritz, Classic cars, Drifting

A gazillion times better than Disney On Ice

Say hello to the Polestar O2. It's a 2+2 seater EV roadster concept that Polestar's CEO Thomas Ingenlath calls

Happenings

Live out your racing video game fantasies with the Polestar O2

IN Polestar, O2, Electric vehicle, EV, Roadster, Sports car

The Polestar O2 is an all-electric roadster concept with its own self-tracking drone

Factor in the current COE price of $82k and the M340i comes within striking distance of the $376,581 Audi S4, also an all-wheel drive 3-litre turbocharged sport sedan that makes 353hp and 500Nm of torque. Altogether, that’s good for an electronically-limited 250km/h top speed and 4.7 second sprint from 0-100km/h. Compelling?

Moreover, even though it still sports a straight-6 turbo engine, the M340i is now available in Singapore only with all-wheel drive, or xDrive as BMW calls it. Cue moans and groans from hardcore BMW enthusiasts.

Since the regular G20 has already been covered in a previous article, we’ll simply focus on what makes this an M Performance vehicle.

The Important Bits

The M340i features bulging intakes up front, which sets it apart from the regular 3er and makes that front-end look sharper and meaner. Don’t be deceived by those slim headlights though – they’re up there with the best that we‘ve tested.

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BMW M340i xDrive: Formerly known as Prince

IN BMW, M, M340i, XDrive

True commitment to (most of) BMW’s traditional values is needed

Happenings

BRZ to arrive in Singapore soon

The second-generation BRZ is due here soon. The 2.4-litre boxer engine in the new BRZ will push out 232 bhp and 250Nm of torque.

So Honda has unveiled a camo-wrapped Civic Type R, complete with video clips of it charging around Suzuka Circuit, and we here at Burnpavement are happy that it appears to look more subdued than the incumbent FK8R, with its plethora of fake vents and aero devices.

The outgoing model features a 2-litre turbo inline-4 engine pumping out 315hp. We hope the next variant takes things up to around 340hp.

Unwrapping later this year will tell the full story.

Subaru

Happenings

2022 Tokyo Auto Salon - A Round-up

IN Tokyo, Auto, Salon, 2022, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru

I wonder if you know, how they live in Tokyo, if you seen it, then you mean it, then you know you have to go...

For a rather rounded-edge SUV, those downward-sloping headlights and signature pointy Alfa Romeo grille combine to give the Stelvio Veloce a fierce face, akin to a shark stalking its prey.

Large air inlets at the bottom of the front bumper add to this fiery countenance, with the adaptive cruise control sensor housed in the right-side inlet.

A clamshell bonnet with power creases on either side rounds off the top of the front-end.

Around the side sits a solitary black ‘Veloce’ badge on the muscular front fender, reminding one that this is a pretty hot variant of Stelvio.

Letting the eyes drop downward, one can’t help but notice the recognizably-Alfaesque telephone-dial 20-inch rims. Shod with 255/45 R20 Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tyres, this combo offers nice ride pliancy combined with generous levels of grip in the beating rain.

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Exciting la Famiglia | Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce

IN Alfa Romeo, Stelvio, Veloce, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Stelvio Veloce, EuroAutomobile

Higher-riding handling-machine, and also a family-hauler.

It’s the original luxury SUV, with the list of owners reading like a who’s who of Hollywood. Daniel Craig, Victoria Beckham, Kanye West… these are just some celebs that have chosen Range Rovers to pootle around in. Amidst all the luxury, this crowd is eventually going to get bored, thus JLR have now released a new one.

Smoother, Neater Styling

Happenings

Next-Gen Range Rover Unveiled

IN Land Rover, Range Rover, EV, Wearnes

The OG luxo-SUV gets updated, with options for a seven-seat configuration and full-electric drivetrain for the very first time.

Happenings

iX3 is the icing atop BMW Group Asia’s 7-year electrification cake

IN BMW, IX3, PHEV, EV, Singapore

Customers in Singapore now can choose which drivetrain they prefer

The President Speaks

“The Countach LPI 800-4 is a visionary car of the moment, just as its forerunner was,” says
Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann. “One of the most important
automotive icons, the Countach not only embodies the design and engineering tenet of
Lamborghini but represents our philosophy of reinventing boundaries, achieving the unexpected
and extraordinary and, most importantly, being the ‘stuff of dreams’.

Happenings

Retro, Not Retro: 21st Century LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH Unveiled

IN Lamborghini, Countach, LPI, 800-4, 2022

A ‘few-off’ 112-unit production run pays homage to the legend with the same name from the 70s and 80s

Bridgestone has established a legacy with its Potenza performance tyre series, thanks to its storied racing heritage. Now, with the new European-developed Potenza Sport, they aim to set a new standard for premium sports tyres.

Succeeding Bridgestone’s flagship Potenza S007A, the Potenza Sport is targeted at discerning drivers of premium sedans, SUVs and coupes. Piloting high-performance cars such as the Audi RS 5, good all-weather grip and stability at high speeds are must-haves for them.

Happenings

Potenza for Greatness | Bridgestone Potenza Sport released in Singapore

IN BRIDGESTONE TYRE SALES SINGAPORE, BRIDGESTONE POTENZA, POTENZA SPORT, HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRE, PERFORMANCE TYRE, NEW TYRE

Loved Bridgestone’s Potenza S007A? They’ve now got a newer and greater flagship performance tyre, the Potenza Sport.

What, made by aliens, was it?

Well, not the “little green men” sort of alien you’re thinking of (unless the workers in Honda’s Suzuka factory wear green coveralls), but fans of Doctor Who would certainly appreciate one of the Jazz’s best-loved qualities since its inception: its TARDIS-like ability to swallow up more stuff than its exterior dimensions would suggest.

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Going That Extra Mile | Honda Jazz Hybrid

IN Honda, Jazz, Hybrid, Jazz Hybrid, Honda Jazz, Honda Jazz Hybrid, Kah Motor

The Honda Jazz has always been an economical little car, but this new hybrid version is little short of miraculous.

Besides all these options being a huge time-suck, the first two aren’t even possible during Phase 2 Heightened Alert. Neither is the free 3-in-1 Nescafe in the workshop waiting area. Furthermore, why risk exposure with the third option in a time when COVID-19 community cases are still being reported daily?

Happenings

SPC SpeedyCare collaborates with AutoApp for stay-at-home car maintenance

IN AutoApp, AutoApp SG, Car concierge

Customers can now use AutoApp to send their cars to a SpeedyCare Auto Service Centre without leaving their homes.

What’s new underneath?

Having debuted in Europe last year, the fourth-generation Audi A3 is finally in Singapore in both the Sedan and Sportback bodystyles. The latest A3 has been improved both inside and out, and is built on the new MQB Evo platform that that’s shared with the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf.

It’ll be safe to expect the same sporty yet comfortable ride that the previous generation A3 was known for, but even that’s been made even better. The latest model gets a sophisticated new chassis, replacing the old model’s rear torsion beam suspension with a multi-link setup.

Happenings

We accidentally previewed the all-new Audi A3

IN Audi, A3, Audi A3, All-new A3, Premium Automobiles

The all-new Audi A3 has arrived in Singapore… and we managed to get a sneak preview! Here’s all that’s new and exciting about Audi’s latest offering in the compact segment.

The Vos difference

At Vos, customisation doesn’t just entail slapping on a lip kit and applying a different-coloured vinyl wrap. Customers who bring their cars to them can expect a bespoke experience, all the way from concept to execution.

The Pit

Veni, Vidi, Vos

IN Advertorial, Vos, Vos Automotive Styling

Just like how an architect might build you the house of your dreams, Vos Automotive Styling provides a bespoke solution to realise your automotive aesthetic visions.