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The first fruit borne of this effort is the little i3 electric city car. And we do mean little — at 3,999 mm in length, 1,775 mm in width and 1,578 mm in height, the i3 is 326 mm shorter, 10 mm wider and 158 mm taller than BMW’s smallest model, the 1-Series. Unlike most EVs, it’s light too. Thanks to an aluminium chassis, and the world’s first mass produced carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) monocoque body, the i3 weighs in at a relatively paltry 1,195 kg. This means that fewer batteries are required to provide propulsion for the car, which has the knock-on effect of reducing weight further still. The inherent strength of carbonfibre also means that the i3 can afford to do without a B-pillar, combining with the suicide rear doors to make a massive aperture.

Happenings

i Will Be Green - BMW i3

After a fairly short gestation period since its initial unveiling in 2011, the final production version of BMW’s i3 city car has been revealed.

On a separate note, the A250’s suspension system seems to have been set with the enthusiastic driver in mind. If you’re expecting C-Class level, the A250’s rather stiff setting might need some getting used to. It could just be yours truly, but when going over bumps, there’s that uncanny feeling the rear’s independent suspension has been mated to a stiffer pair of spring compared to the fronts.

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A+ For Effort | Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, A-Class, A250, A250 Sport, Sport

So the A250 Sport is marketed as the sportiest A-Class, with promising on-paper digits — but overcoming the looks, does it fall into hot-hatch territory?

Dual Pixel CMOS AF Technology — A New Era in Movie Making

Put simply, this new technology replicates how the human eye behaves. When switching between various AF points or areas, the EOS 70D delivers smoother and more natural transitions during the focusing process, making it an ideal DSLR for both stills (in One-shot AF) and videos. The Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology also eliminates the traditional AF 'hunting' when shooting videos in Live View mode resulting in videos that are more visually pleasing.

By placing AF sensors on the entire surface of the CMOS sensor, final focusing using only the phase-difference detection direction is possible even during Live View shooting. Just as with Viewfinder AF, quick, hunting-free AF is achieved over a wide AF area. Not only that, tracking performance of Movie Servo AF is also improved, making even smoother focusing possible. The intuitive 3-inch vari-angle touch-panel LCD also allows AF points or areas to be changed at the touch of the finger.

The Pit

The New Canon EOS 70D Features the Latest in Auto Focus Technology

IN Canon, DSLR, Lifestyle, Photography

Canon has announced the latest EOS 70D, a Wi-Fi enabled DSLR embedded with a powerful DIGIC 5+ image processor and a 20.2-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor.

The V40 was unveiled last year as an in-between successor of both the S40 and V50, but for some reason we only received the jacked-up Cross Country version. Now though, local dealer Wearnes Automotive has followed up on its success and launched the V40 R-Design, a lowered, sportier version of the car.

Happenings

Volvo Range Revamped

IN Volvo, V40, S60, V60, XC60, S80, R-Design, Facelift, Wearnes

It’s part-way through its models’ life cycles, and Volvo updates not one, but four of its models, as well as introduces the V40 R-Design to Singapore.

McLaren GT is to produce a new high performance variant of the 12C, named the 12C GT Sprint, designed to offer further enhanced handling through optimised aerodynamics and track focus. The track-only model signifies the continued development of the 12C model, and bridges the gap between the 12C, itself fully accomplished on both road and track, and the all-out racing 12C GT3 and 12C GT Can-Am Edition models. It has been designed and developed by McLaren GT, the race car building arm of the McLaren Group, and retains many of the unique systems from the 12C road car, on which it is based.

Motorsports

Tadaa... A Track Focused MP4-12C

IN MP4-12C, 12C GT Sprint, McLaren

Want a McLaren track car to join motor racing competitively? Well, the 12C GT Sprint is right up your alley

In Product Immersion, trainers were on hand to introduce the many features of the Forte K3, after which participants were able to examine and experience these features for themselves up close.

Happenings

Exclusive Preview Of The New Kia Forte K3

IN Kia, Forte K3, Launch, Product immersion, Facebook

Fifty lucky fans of Torque magazine and Kia Singapore's Facebook pages had the opportunity to put the new Kia Forte K3 through its paces at the Singapore Turf Club.

Both cars are powered by SsangYong’s new e-XDi200 2.0-litre diesel engine that offers up 155 bhp and 360 Nm, and is mated to (what else?) a 5-speed automatic also sourced from Mercedes.

Happenings

New SsangYong Stavic And Rexton Debut In Singapore

IN SsanYong, Rexton, Stavic, Launch, MPV, SUV

The replacements for SsangYong’s flagship MPV and SUV were unveiled at the recent CATS CARnival.

Pirelli has currently more than 200 homologations for the Volkswagen Group, in sizes that range from 15 to 21 inches. Another 250 homologations are currently under development, many of which will go into production within the next few years.

The long list of models currently equipped by Pirelli include prestige cars such as the Porsche Carrera, Boxster, Cayenne and Panamera, as well as the Lamborghini Aventador and Gallardo, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur as well as the Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7, RS5, RS6 and TT, plus the Volkswagen Tiguan, Touareg, Phaeton and Golf.

The partnership between Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group is not just limited to the European market but also covers other territories such as Latin America, Mexico and China. Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group are also engaged in joint business development in Russia and the United States.

Happenings

Pirelli Named Global Champion By Volkswagen Group

IN Pirelli, Tyres, Volkswagen

Pirelli has won the 2013 Volkswagen Group Award, the coveted prize that the international carmaker awards to its best suppliers.

The all-new Lexus IS will be available in three key models — IS 250, IS Hybrid and IS F SPORT. The IS 250 is powered by a smooth 2.5-litre V6 engine providing 208 bhp, while the IS Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, boasting of 223 bhp. An all-new F SPORT package will also be available for both models.

Happenings

All New 2013 Lexus IS Range Unveiled

IN Lexus, IS, IS250, Hybrid, Petrol, F Sport, Launch

The third generation all-new IS model range was recently unveiled at the new Lexus Boutique.

Every $30 nett spent gives customers a chance to try their luck with Caltex’s Lucky Star Promotion. Simply key your total expenditure and your vehicle’s registration number into the iPad mini at the service kiosks, and print out your lucky draw coupon and a set of 4 winning Lucky Numbers! If your slip has 4 Lucky Stars, or any permutation of your vehicle’s registration number, you win $100 and $500 Star Cash respectively. If you’re lucky enough, you might win $1,000 Star Cash, when your Lucky Numbers match up to those of your car.

Happenings

Count Your Lucky Stars With Caltex!

IN Caltex, Petrol, Fuel, Contest, Promotion

Stand a chance to drive off in a BMW 316i at any CaltexÂ® Station

Guest-of-Honour Mr Jose Raymond, Executive Director of Singapore Environment Council, who officiated the send-off, said:

Motorsports

Flying Our Flag At The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2013

IN Singapore, ITE, NTU, Ngee Ann polytechnic, Shell, Eco Marathon, Green, Sustainable, Energy

The future looks green as students from tertiary institutions compete for Eco-glory.

Then again, it doesn’t necessarily have to out-drag the competition, because Kia is pitching the GT as a brisk all-rounder designed for “everyday usability and civility, not a track special” (although its chassis was developed at the Nurburgring). So even though it gets re-tuned springs and dampers, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and larger brakes, its multi-link suspension should ensure a tolerable ride.

Happenings

Still Very Reasonably Priced

IN Kia, Hot hatch, Ceed, GT, Cee'd

The name is still ridiculous, but this hot hatch looks set to be a credible and value-packed alternative in the market.

The whole 'alternative-fuelled cars' fever is pretty much still going on, and if there’s one car company that you have to thank for it all, well, it has to be Toyota. They may not be the first to mass-produce hybrid cars, but they definitely did a good job at commercialising this concept and also making it the way forward.

New

The Electric Co | Audi A1 e-tron

IN Audi, A1, E-tron, Audi A1 e-tron, A1 e-tron, Ingolstadt, Audi Future Lab, Audi TSC

Audi let us briefly sample their innovative electric A1

The natural trade-off though, is in its ability to carve a corner. Despite how tall the Forester is, body roll is less prevalent than expected, no doubt thanks to the Boxer drivetrain’s low centre of gravity, but unless you really enjoy feeling a car at its limit no matter how easily reached it is (which I do), there’s not much reward to be gained from hustling it. The tyres are designed for low rolling resistance and hence give up very easily, running out of grip at even moderate speeds, while the electric steering, though light and easy to twirl at parking speeds, has a vague, non-linear response during the first few degrees of lock. On initial turn-in the steering feels overly light but after that it firms up, with nice weighting and progression through the rest of the turn.

New

The Family Rocketship | Subaru Forester 2.0XT

IN Subaru, Forester, XT, Turbo, X-mode, AWD, Review

With the next generation of WRXes and STIs still at least a year or two away, it’s up to the 4th-generation Forester to uphold the turbocharged mantle in the Subaru stable.