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Carmakers have taken to christening their estate models with different names to stand out from each other. Audi, for example, uses Avant, while BMW calls it a Touring. Skoda terms theirs as a Combi, while its parent company Volkswagen refers to its variants as um, Variant.

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The Critical Thinker's Practical Choice | Skoda Octavia Combi

IN Skoda, Octavia, Combi, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia Combi, Skoda Centre Singapore

In a sea of SUVs, the seldom-seen station wagon smartly stands strong. And the Skoda Octavia Combi is one of the strongest there is.

Main concerns

Topping the list were beliefs that EVs are difficult to charge and lack of range as compared to their petrol-powered brethren.

Despite this, an overwhelming 87% of respondents indicated reduction in carbon emissions as a key benefit of EVs. 65% noted increasing number of government incentives, and 59% pointed to the financial savings when compared to using petrol.

“It is encouraging to see the growing appetite for electrified vehicles, and that Singaporean drivers understand the benefits of owning an EV,” said Ms Preeti Gupta, Corporate Affairs Director & Sustainability Lead, BMW Group Asia. “With a 27% increase in EVs purchased in 1H 2021 compared to all of 2020, it is clear Singaporean drivers are ready to integrate electrified vehicles into their daily lives. However, based on our research, we still have work to do when it comes to educating consumers on charging and range.”

What drives EV adoption rates

64% of respondents pointed at a longer warranty period of up to 10 years, while 58% noted good aftersales service would motivate them to purchase an EV for their next car.

Following closely behind were performance at 55%, build quality at 43% and technological features at 42%.

Government incentives and EV uptake

72% of respondents said government incentives and access to public charging facilities were most likely to influence their purchase of an EV, while 70% noted access to home-charging being important.

The usage of EVs was more predominantly weighted toward running daily errands with 62% of respondents, while 40% would commute to and from work and 33% would enjoy weekend leisure trips in an EV.

“Today’s electric vehicles have more than enough range to support daily driving needs,” said Ms Gupta. “The average Singaporean drivers commutes 55km/day, and many electric vehicles allow them to drive anywhere from four to eight days without requiring a recharge.”

Happenings

Almost half of Singaporean drivers want to buy electrified vehicles …

IN BMW Group Asia, Study, Survey, PHEV, EV, Electrified vehicles

… a study by BMW Group Asia shows.

And when setting eyes for the first time upon the front-end of Hyundai’s latest offering, one could also be forgiven for thinking that this SUV was designed and built on another planet in a different solar system.

Happenings

Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Set To Land In September

Hyundai’s longest-running Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) receives more looks, features and SUV-ness.

A good starting point is the driving position. This is of course highly subjective as the driver’s size and body type makes a big difference. For this writer’s 1.8-metre frame at least, the front seats are perfectly supportive. More crucially perhaps is how the car’s most crucial touchpoints – the steering wheel, gear lever, as well as the pedals – fall readily to hand and feet. Like putting on a tailored jacket, the driver immediately feels comfortable, familiar, and ready to go. This imparts a sense of confidence to explore the limits of the car.

The positioning of the steering wheel and gear lever is underscored by also being nicely weighted for feedback that feels sweet and positive.

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Sweet spot for entry performance | Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid

IN Suzuki, Swift, Swift Sport, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Swift Sport, ZC33, ZC33S, Champion Motors

The entry point for performance driving begins with this supermini. Does its mild hybrid drive hinder or enhance the experience?

Drive it like a HEV, and the battery charges itself up with regenerative braking. This turns energy typically wasted during braking, into useful electric charge for the battery that can be used in future. Got access to an EV charging point? You’ll also be able to juice the battery up for a bit of extra electric go.

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Bit of Both | Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge PHEV

IN Volvo, XC40, Volvo XC40, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, PHEV

Volvo’s latest XC40 Recharge PHEV crossover provides a semi-EV experience, but works best if you have a private charging point.

… appreciate luxury
Step into the new CR-V, and you'll be greeted by a stylish and spacious interior that feature quality materials with a contemporary design. Contrasting satin-finished wood grain panels line the interior against the dark-coloured leather seats, providing the CR-V with an upscale ambience like no other Japanese SUV in its class.

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Simply better than the rest | Honda CR-V

Looking to get an SUV for this new year? You'd be spoilt for choice in this current sea of offerings that carmakers have to offer. But which one is best?

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The Perfect Urban Sedan | Honda City RS

There’s never been a better time to consider the all-new Honda City; here are five excellent reasons why.

The Bentayga Speed gets several exterior styling cues to hint at its performance credentials, including dark-tinted grilles, headlights, taillights and wheels. More obvious tell-tale signs of the 626 bhp that lurk beneath the bonnet are the body-coloured side skirts, larger rear spoiler, and large oval tailpipes.

Happenings

Nip, tuck, and electrification: the new Bentley Bentayga

IN Bentley, SUV, Bentayga, New cars, Car launch

Bentley’s first model under their Beyond100 plan is the extensively redesigned Bentayga luxo-SUV

Its spacious interior features an 8-way power driver seat (with 4-way lumbar support), ample air conditioning for 2nd and 3rd-row seats and all the connected technological hygiene essentials: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Navigation system to name a few.

Happenings

Watch out, Rudolph! The New 2021 Honda CR-V is coming to town!

It's the Christmas season after all and we're feeling festive. Well at least Honda is, with the new CR-V and some massive discounts.

As we approach one of the most impactful evolutions of the automotive landscape, where electric cars will slowly-but-surely be a mainstay, BMW has made its mark with the all-new, all-electric iX SAV.

Happenings

A first look into BMW’s future

BMW reveals new iX at their NEXTGen world premiere.

Unlike said feats of fantasy, the Taycan isn’t a just limited-edition collector’s item, but a full series production car which you could put pen to chequebook for, and order tomorrow at Porsche Centre Singapore. This follows from a virtual launch on Facebook Live, and in-person test drives are available as well.

Happenings

Porsche Taycan range now officially launched in Singapore

The order books for the fastest production electric car you can buy are now open - prices start from S$485k without COE.

Happenings

Tokyo Auto Salon 2020: Part 2

IN Tokyo Auto Salon, Tokyo Auto Salon 2020, TAS, TAS 2020, Tokyo, Japan, Tuning, Modified

The Japanese tuning scene is ever-evolving. Just as you think there's nothing else they can do, the Japanese don't disappoint - as our trip to TAS 2020 revealed.

Happenings

Tokyo Auto Salon 2020: Part 1

IN Tokyo Auto Salon, Tokyo Auto Salon 2020, TAS, TAS 2020, Tokyo, Japan, Tuning, Modified

The Japanese tuning scene is ever-evolving. Just as you think there's nothing else they can do, the Japanese don't disappoint - as our trip to TAS 2020 revealed.

Hyundai Motor Group expects an adaptable all-electric platform using Canoo’s scalable skateboard architecture to allow for a simplified and standardised development process for Hyundai and Kia electrified vehicles, which is expected to help reduce cost that can be passed along to consumers. Hyundai Motor Group also expects to reduce complexity of its EV assembly line, allowing for rapid response to changing market demands and customer preferences. With this collaboration, Hyundai Motor Group doubles down on its recent commitment to invest $87 billion USD over the next five years to foster future growth. As part of this drive, Hyundai plans to invest $52 billion USD in future technologies through 2025, while Kia will invest $25 billion USD in electrification and future mobility technologies, aiming for eco-friendly vehicles to comprise 25% of its total sales by 2025.

Happenings

Hyundai Ties Up With Canoo to Develop Platform for Future EV Platform

IN EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, Hyundai

A skateboard chassis as the basis for future EV platforms? Who would have thought of that? Well, Hyundai did...

At the start of the trailer, we see the protagonist of the series is essentially living the retired life as a

The Pit

Fast And Furious 9 Posters Revealed

IN Fast & Furious, FF9, Universal Pictures, Movie

Universal Pictures has released new character posters as well as the trailer for Fast & Furious 9!

The 50kW DC chargers can fully charge a car in 30 minutes. Over the next few years, SP will introduce more high-powered DC charging points of up to 350kW. Other than SP’s, there are six other DC chargers in Singapore. SP’s new additions will be a game-changer in improving the charging turnaround time for EV drivers in Singapore. EV drivers can also enjoy at least 50 per cent cost savings compared to typical Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles for every kilometre travelled. The cost of using SP charging points will be regularly adjusted, mainly influenced by the prevailing electricity costs in Singapore.

Happenings

SP Group Offers EV Full Charging

IN EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, SP Group

Electric vehicle (EV) users can now fully charge their vehicles in 30 minutes at SP Group’s island-wide charging network.

“It’s one of the worst experiences for a driver, to find their car up on blocks with all four wheels gone. Some alloy wheels can cost thousands to replace, but these unique rim nuts will stop thieves in their tracks. Making wheels more secure and offering more product personalisation are further proof that 3D printing is a game-changer for car production.”

Raphael Koch, research engineer, Advanced Materials and Processes, Ford of Europe.

Happenings

Ford Develops 3D-Printed Wheel Nuts

IN Ford, Wheels, Rims, Tyres, Security, Technology

As car security systems become increasingly more sophisticated, thieves are targeting car parts instead, including alloy wheels. Ford has the solution...