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When Porsche introduced the first-generation Panamera to the world back in 2009, the automotive press industry collectively gasped and recoiled at the way it looked in shock and horror. The backstory, allegedly, was that Porsche’s then head-honcho Dr Wendelin Wiedeking insisted that he had sufficient headroom in the back of the initially sleek and well-proportioned four-door luxury coupe, which on its face seemed a reasonable request since the Panamera was supposed to serve as a luxurious and sporty rival to the likes of BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. However, Dr Wiedeking being taller than average, necessitated the roofline of the 970-chassis Panamera growing significantly in height, much to the chagrin of the project’s designers and engineers, and gave us the “Hunchback of Stuttgart” that “induced vomiting upon sight” and that “everyone loved to hate” – perhaps a little unfairly so since it reportedly drove, rode, handled and did the luxury bit brilliantly. Fast forward to 2016 and the second-generation 971 chassis received a desperately-needed restyling which brought it much closer to the “four-door 911” look that was originally envisioned. Here is the Panamera Platinum Edition, and starting from just under half a million Singapore dollars before COE and options, its price-competitors include the BMW Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo and Mercedes-Benz E53 AMG 4MATIC+ with both being more powerful than the Panamera Platinum. However, power isn’t everything. Outside
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Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition - Sportingly Luxurious

IN Porsche, Panamera Platinum

The Panamera Platinum may just surprise you with how it cossets and handles at the same time - give it a go!


Though ingress and egress wasn’t exactly a cinch, I’m happy to report that it is rather easily doable without having to worry about throwing one’s back out, which is more than can be said about some other low-slung sporty/sports sedans and coupes. At over half a million dollars before COE, the 911 Carrera finds itself going up against the likes of the BMW M3 and M4, an historic rivalry that still continues to this day. From a practicality standpoint, the Bimmers naturally have the upper hand, but they’re both sedan-based and taller, whereas the Porsche is ground-up a lower-slung sports coupe. Outside
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Porsche 911 Carrera - Base Isn’t <i>Just</i> Base

IN Porsche, 911 Carrera, 992

The 992 Generation of the 911 Carrera shows why it is still THE daily-drivable premium sports coupe.


On top of offering a free trial for their streaming app, SPOTV NOW, fans can enjoy 2 weeks of live streaming on SPOTV NOW for free when they sign up during the period of 22nd March – 4th April 2023. This will not only garner free access to catch all of the action from the highly anticipated opening MotoGPTM race in Portugal and MotoGPTM Argentina race, but also the Formula E Prix in Sao Paulo Brazil. 2023 is poised to be the biggest year of premier class motorcycle racing yet, as the 2023 MotoGP™ World Championship will not only mark the 75th edition in the history of the Motorcycle World Championship, but also the 1000th Grand Prix at Le Mans in May.
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SPOTV kickstarts 2023 MotoGPTM Season with free trial on SPOTV NOW

IN SPOTV, 2023 MotoGPTM, Season, Free trial, SPOTV NOW

Sports fans in Southeast Asia are in for a treat as leading sports entertainment platform, SPOTV, kicks off the new MotoGPTM season this week.


The Kia Stinger first made its debut way back in January 2017, and it took the world by storm. A Korean sports sedan that wants to challenge the likes of other prominent German brands, were they insane? Oh yes they were, and it truly paid off. Designated as a performance liftback sedan, the Korean model actually became a worthy opponent to some more well-known German cars. Think something something S5, M5 and E43 . Even with impressive performance figures and practicality, sales of the Stinger were lacklustre worldwide. Competitive pricing by others meant the Stinger never got the spotlight it deserved, and the fact it has a “Kia” badge on the front didn’t help either.
Happenings

2023 Kia Stinger Tribute Edition Marks End of Production Run

IN Kia, Stinger, Tribute, Edition, Final, 1000

Limited to 1,000 units, say goodbye to one of the most underrated sports sedans on the market.


Valentino Rossi certainly needs no introduction. He is a nine-time motorcycle world champion, and is one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time and has a whole roster of records to his name. His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend. Some may not know this, but Rossi has also proved that he is an excellent driver too. He has since shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home. Now, swapping his two wheels for four, he will be joining the BMW M Works driver roster for their 2023 season.
Happenings

Valentino Rossi Set to Become New BMW M Motorsport Works Driver

IN Valentino Rossi, Valentino, Rossi, BMW M, Works, Driver squad, 2023

Valentino Rossi, one of the greatest MotoGP riders ever in existence, will be joining the BMW M works driver squad for the 2023 season.


With 30 years of competitive experience, Sauber is one of the most renowned and traditional teams in Formula 1. The Swiss racing team is currently in a partnership with Alfa Romeo. Sauber will be responsible for planning and executing race operations during the Formula 1 season. With its new collaboration with Audi, the power unit will be developed at Audi’s Motorsport Competence Center in Neuburg an der Donau, while Sauber will produce the Formula 1 car at its site in Hinwil (Switzerland). Development of the power unit, which consists of the MGU-K, battery, control systems and a V6 hybrid engine, is already in full swing at Audi’s racing facility.
Happenings

Audi Partners Sauber For Formula 1 Entry

IN Sauber, Audi, Formula, 1, New, Team, 2026, Partnership

Following the announcement of its entry into Formula 1 at the end of August, Audi has now confirmed its new partner in the sport.


There used to be a time, up until the early 2000s, or thereabouts when you could tell you were driving a BMW just by how the steering felt and how the car handled. It didn’t matter which model you were behind the wheel of; 3, 5, or 7 Series, maybe even a Z4 or early X5, every model was united by an unmistakable steering feel and way the controls fell to hand.
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BMW M240i rolls back the years

IN BMW, 240i

This sporty two-door shows that the Bavarian automaker hasn’t forgotten how to make a great driver’s car


Since its unveiling in 2019, the Model Y has become the best-selling electric SUV in the world, and is currently one of the safest cars on the road thanks to perfect 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With Tesla’s latest addition to its fleet, it marks a critical step in the company’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy in the city.
Happenings

Tesla Begins Model Y Deliveries in Singapore

IN Tesla, Model Y, SUVs, EVs

Tesla’s long-awaited compact sports utility vehicle finally hits the roads here.


That’s because the company from Ingolstadt has announced plans to join the world’s apex racing series, when new power unit technical regulations come into effect in 2026. This comes after months of speculation and questions over it and corporate cousins Porsche’s involvements in the sport.
Happenings

Audi to enter Formula 1 in 2026

IN Audi, F1, Formula 1, Motorsport

The German manufacturer will become the fifth engine supplier to the sport


Before diving into this latest 992-generation 911 GT3 RS, let's take a trip down memory lane...
Happenings

992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Rennsport Rewritten

IN 992, Porsche, 911, GT3 RS

More extreme, more angry, more aero, more active


In Singapore, eMotorsports has even greater significance, given our lack of any racing scene (karts and grassroots gymkhana/autcross aside). Disappointingly, manufacturer-backed eSports events are extremely thin on the ground here, with one of the few being Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Gran Turismo Cup.
Happenings

Toyota Gazoo Racing Gran Turismo Cup returns to Singapore for 2022

IN Toyota, Gazoo Racing, Supra, Yaris, GR86, Gran Turismo, Sim racing, Simulators, Esports

Catch Singapore’s fastest sim racers battle it out in the Toyota GR86, Yaris, and Supra.


Motorsports

Let's R4CE | New BMW M4 GT4

To continue its run of success in the internationally established GT4 category, BMW M Motorsport has released the new BMW M4 GT4.


It's no secret that the BMW Active Tour was a big hit when it first arrived back in 2014. As a compact MPV it pretty much ticks all the boxes of being well-built, spacious and, well, a BMW.
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BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 218i M Sport

It's a good thing that the new 218 Active Tourer is very good, because, with COE prices this high, you'll want the bang for your every buck.


Ok, so it isn’t a full-fat M car like the M3 or M5, but rather a warmed-over M Performance model, like the M340i and M440i. Hence the double digit number in the M badge, and the demure bodywork. Still, with the ease with which electric drivetrains develop power, the i4 M50 is the brawniest model in the 3/4 Series range… For a very short while at least. One of its driving modes is called Sport Boost, which unlocks the car’s full 400kW/544hp and 795Nm of torque for up to 10 seconds at a time, a fair bit more than the M3 and M4 Competition’s 510hp and 650Nm. Otherwise, the i4 M50 normally puts out 350kW/476hp, and 730Nm.
Happenings

BMW i4 M50 launched in Singapore

IN BMW, I4, EV, BMW M

The first all-electric model from the company's performance sub-brand made its local debut at the BMW M Driving Experience


With a dearth of knowledge in Singapore on EV systems in general, the students faced a bigger challenge building the R22e than usual. While the teams in charge of the chassis, aerodynamics, and suspension tuning had the benefit of their predecessor’s experience and data to guide them, those in charge of the electric powertrain found themselves thrown in the deep end. From programming the motor controller to even proper safe handling procedures for high-voltage electrical components, there were a lot of lessons learnt in the R22e’s journey, which has implications not just for NUS’s FSAE team, but eventually for the automotive sector in Singapore, particularly once the students enter the workforce.
Happenings

Say hello to Singapore's first home-grown electric race car

IN NUS, FSAE, Motorsport, EV

The NUS FSAE team’s R22e is more than just a speed machine, it’s a stepping stone to building EV know-how in Singapore’s auto sector.


The SUV in question is the Škoda Kodiaq vRS. The latter suffix is the Czech carmaker’s performance sub-brand, not unlike BMW’s M division or Mercedes-AMG. Perhaps, Škoda parent company Volkswagen’s GTI range might be closer to the concept of vRS. Speaking of which, vRS apparently stands for “victory Rally Sport” and the other fun fact is that the vee in vRS is actually supposed to be silent! So it’s simply referred to as, ‘RS’. In fact, in Škoda’s official communications, the the v is omitted altogether. It seems that not only is the ‘v’ silent, it’s invisible, too.
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Bear market: Skoda Kodiaq vRS review

IN Skoda, Kodiaq, RS, VRS, SUV, Performance SUV

Skoda’s renown vRS performance line expands to its flagship SUV


Well, just drive whatever you have, of course! That's what happened at a recent gymkhana open practice session organised by Singapore Auto Gymkhana Group (SAGG).
Motorsports

If this Honda e can race, so can you

IN Honda, E, EV, Gymkhana, Motorsport

It’s not what you drive that matters, it’s how you drive it.


The 3 will be the biggest hitter in the Polestar food chain for the foreseeable future. Where the 2 is a performance executive sedan aimed at the Tesla Model 3 and indirectly, the Audi A4/BMW 3 Series/Mercedes-Benz C-class segment, the 3 will be a large SUV about the size of a Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90. In terms of direct all-electric competitors, it goes up against the BMW iX, as well as the forthcoming EV version of the Range Rover Sport. No details yet on its figures, but it’ll have a dual motor drivetrain (one on each axle), and a battery pack good enough for 600km of range. In due time, it’ll be able to drive itself, introducing “autonomous highway piloting powered by the best-in-class LiDAR sensor from Luminar and centralized NVIDIA computing power”. Fancy.
Happenings

Polestar's third act is a luxury electric performance SUV.

IN Polestar, EV, SUV, Electric vehicle

Polestar unveils their new luxury electric performance SUV, due to go on sale in October 2022. We take a closer look at the Polestar 3 here.


But while the T1’s performance was otherworldly (supposedly able to pull 3Gs of downforce at 240km/h), sadly it suffered a raft of high-profile reliability issues at the worst possible moment: when the demonstrators were in the hands of the media (most memorably on Fifth Gear and Top Gear). Caparo had intended to make 25 T1s a year, but in the end only 15 were ever sold.
Happenings

Here are 3 more road cars spawned from the world of F1

When road cars are "inspired by F1", it's usually just lip service. Here are three that take the claim very seriously


Billed by Bridgestone as a semi-slick tyre and its first-ever dedicated tyre for trackdays, it’s nonetheless homologated for road use. But as you can see from the photos, it has an extremely aggressive tread pattern which you probably wouldn’t want to get caught with in the rain.
Happenings

Bridgestone heats up trackdays with new Potenza Race tyre

IN Bridgestone, Potenza Race, Tyres

Bridgestone’s new Potenza Sport has already proven faster than main rivals in independent testing; Potenza Race to go even quicker



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