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There are cars that only those with the keenest of eyes will be able to spot:

Happenings

The Car’s The Star Pt 1 | Cars & Coffee Dec 2015

IN Cars & Coffee, Meet, Meetup, Special, BMW, Porsche, VW, Lotus, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, JDM, Euro, Classic

Christmas is a time for sharing, so what better way to spread some festive petrolhead cheer than with a car meet with some of the rarest cars in the country?

BP — Would you be as effective with another driver or is there a sort of chemistry between you guys?

MA — I think it depends mostly on how well you can cope with the system of a particular driver, because normally every driver has his own preference and the co-driver must adapt himself and understand what the driver needs. There are several co-drivers who have been successful with several different drivers, so I think that one driver can be successful with many co-drivers, but for a co-driver to be successful he needs a very talented driver.

BP — Jari-Matti, has there ever been a case where you found yourself expecting more of Miikka?

JML — No, not really. Its only been a few times where if Miikka has been a little bit late or going a little too early then I will just tell him to wait a moment, or just telling him ”next note, next note

Motorsports

An Intimate Interview with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila | Part 1

IN VW, Volkswagen, WRC, Rally, World Rally Championship, Polo, Polo R, Motorsport, Latvala, Jari-Matti, Anttila, Miikka, Finland

Meet motorsport’s highest-flying Finns as they talk Group B, co-driving, and their intra-cockpit relationship.

Fans will also see the Bentley Continental GT V8 S road car - from which the GT3 racer is derived - on duty this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit as Bentley provides the safety car for the event. “Sepang 12 Hours gives us the opportunity to race in a region that is very important for Bentley,” explained Brian Gush, Director of Motorsport at Bentley. “In addition, it allows us to continue racing in the winter season and is good preparation for Bathurst 12 Hours in February.

Motorsports

Bentley Set For Sepang Debut

IN Bentley, Motorsport, Continental, GT, V8, GT3-R, GT3, Race, Bentley Team

A pair of works team Bentley Team M-Sport Continental GT3s to contest the final race of the season

The Clubsport makeover starts with the bodywork, where a redesigned front bumper with splitter, roof mounted wing and rear diffuser with larger pipes add presence as well as genuine downforce to the familiar Golf shape, all without looking obnoxious or boy racer-esque. Lightweight forged alloy wheels available in 18 or 19 inches, blacked out roof and mirror trim as well as stripes with “Clubsport” lettering down the side also let you know this is no run of the mill GTI.

Happenings

GTI Remastered

IN VW, Volkswagen, GTI, Golf, Clubsport, Turbo, Hot hatch, Hatchback

Want a little more grip, grunt and style from your Golf GTI? Look no further than the limited edition GTI Clubsport.

For now though, early adopters of the RX Turbo won’t be missing out on much, as they’ll still enjoy the same improvements and changes made to the rest of the car. First up is the exterior styling — the radical new look is more in line with the company’s new styling direction. From the oversized Spindle grille to the LED light clusters to the sharp origami-like creases in the sheet metal, the styling of the new RX screams aggression, with nary a curve to be found.

Happenings

4th generation Lexus RX makes Singaporean debut

IN Lexus, RX, SUV, Turbo, V6, Launch, Singapore, Borneo Motors

Latest version of the popular luxury crossover boasts enhanced comfort, sharper styling (literally) and a turbocharged engine.

Good for me. On the flipside, since I own one such car, I must confess over the years my social circle is getting smaller and smaller…

New

MINI John Cooper Works | Grown Up

IN MINI, John Cooper Works, JCW, Cooper, MINI Habitat

The JCW becomes significantly more fun with the bigger engine — growing up isn’t all that bad in this case

The GT4 Clubsport is blessed with many of the same traits that make its street-going sibling a riot to drive, such as bodywork that helps to produce genuine downforce on both axles, a lower, wider track and a mid-mounted 3.8 liter flat six engine that produces 385hp. However alterations have been made to beef up the base car, such as front suspension that has been lifted wholesale from a GT3 cup car while the rear has a revised strut design with GT3 cup car control arms. The 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brake calipers are also a one piece design now for added strength.

Happenings

Race Ready Goodness

IN Porsche, Cayman, GT4, Clubsport, Race, Homologation, Endurance, GT, Sports, Weissach

With the road-going Cayman GT4 released to wild acclaim, Porsche has taken the opportunity to develop a new track-only racer based off of it. Enter the GT4 Clubsport.

The new XF is part two of Jaguar’s current three-pronged product offensive aimed at capturing sales from Ze Germans; first there was the compact XE sedan which we reviewed earlier, and early in 2016 will see the arrival of the F-Pace, Jaguar’s first SUV. Already the results are showing: in just three months since its launch in September, the XE has already accounted for 20% of total Jaguar sales in Singapore! This tripartite group is important for Jaguar also because it debuts a number of advanced technologies that will sustain the company’s products in the near future.

Happenings

eXquisitely Finessed

IN Jaguar, XF, Wearnes Automotive, Launch, Singapore, Sedan, Luxury, Launch

The first XF was a landmark car for Jaguar, overhauling the brand’s image and keeping it afloat during financial struggle. Now that its tour of duty is complete, a new XF is here to lead the charge.

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 CoupÃ©

The new headlights which look like it was directly lifted from the 458 Italia, makes the car immediately more striking. You can be excused if you think that the California is just another hardtop with pleasing lines. However, it is more than that. If you hit the switch and wait 14 seconds, you find that the touring model is actually a drop-top. The California is equipped with a retractable hardtop that quickly slips out of sight behind the passenger compartment. Thanks to its intelligent design, the stored hardtop doesn’t take too much away from trunk storage. For a sports car, there is a fair amount of storage space - easily enough to hold luggage for a weekend away.

New

Ferrari California T | Cup Of T

IN Ferrari, Ital Auto, Ferrari California T, Cabriolet, Convertible, Turbo, Singapore

The Ferrari California T is the automaker’s “entry-level” touring model, marking Maranello's modern incarnation of their turbocharged stallions.

New

Why BMW’s M5 Is The Only Sedan I Need | Random Writes

IN BMW, M5, M5 Competition Pack, BMW M5 Competition Pack, Random Writes, Munich Automobiles

The M5 may not sound like a favourable car to most, but here are some of the car’s unique quirks that actually raised its likeable factor for yours truly

Happenings

Back To Basics

IN Toyota, S-FR, Lightweight, Sports car, Concept

Building on momentum of the GT86 Coupe, Toyota unveils a sports car concept that is even smaller and lighter than its already svelte bigger brother - enter the S-FR concept

What makes an Alpina different from one of BMW’s own M models, you might ask? Well for one, they don’t have such a hardcore bent on driving dynamics despite having comparable power figures to M cars, leaning more towards luxury and cruiseability instead. Alpinas also have a very distinctive, yet subtle look thanks to some trademark styling touches, such as unique decals (Alpina calls them ”Deco Sets”), mild bodykits and massive 20-spoke rims (good luck cleaning them!).

Happenings

The Untouchables

IN Alpina, BMW, Munich Automobiles, Tuner, V8, Anniversary, Edition, Edition 50, German, Launch, B5, B6, 5 series, 6 series, Launch

Legendary BMW tuner Alpina celebrates its 50th birthday with a brace of exclusive limited editions.

The Pit

MX-5 Sport Recaro Limited Edition

IN Mazda, MX-5, Sport Recaro, MX-5 Sport Recaro, Recaro, Jinba Ittai

Limited Edition range-topping model joins the all-new Mazda MX-5 line up; unique look courtesy of Sports Aero Kit and Diamond cut alloy wheels

Even the Mark 2 Focus sold well; be it in hatchback, sedan or wagon guises, the Focus made it into every corner of this tiny little dot.

New

Ford Mondeo 1.5 GTDI EcoBoost | Small Heart, Run Free

IN Ford, Mondeo Ford Mondeo, EcoBoost, 1.5-litre, 1.5 EcoBoost, GTDI, Regent Motors

Ford’s new 1.5-litre Mondeo promises everything you would need in a large family car… and more

Happenings

Sharper STI

IN Subaru, STI, Impreza, S207, Japan, Subaru Technica International

With turbo power and all-wheel drive the Subaru STI is already adept at covering ground quickly. The new S207 takes that formula and concentrates it further.

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.

John Edwards, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations said, “This a fantastic accolade for one of Jaguar’s most recognisable models ever built. The Jaguar Heritage business aims to support loyal and passionate customers so that models such as the E-type can continue to be maintained and enjoyed across the generations. The fact that it has captured the most votes in a global public vote is a testament to its status as one of the world’s most iconic sportscars and now, officially, as the Best British Car Ever.”

Happenings

Jaguar E-Type Is 'Best British Car Ever'

IN Jaguar, E-Type, Jaguar E-Type, Best British Car Ever, Jaguar Heritage, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations

It's official: The E-Type is the Best British Car Ever in a poll

Happenings

Latest Bond mobile unveiled at Aston Martin’s new Singapore home

IN Aston, Aston Martin, Showroom, New, Wearnes, DB9, DB10

Britain’s coolest car brand moves into new premises under newly appointed dealer Wearnes Automotive.

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.