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This latest car that has gotten our blood pumping in a way that no other car has for a really long time is the Toyota GR Yaris. Depending on who you ask, you might get a different answer as to what makes it special.
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Instant Classic | Toyota GR Yaris

IN Toyota, Toyota GR, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Gazoo Racing, GR Yaris, Toyota GR Yaris

We’ve driven this much-lauded supermini, and the hype is real. Prepare to want one.


This time however, the LC 500 finds itself in a slightly different world. By the time COE and a few options such as an alloy wheel or paint colour of your choice are added the new 992-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, you’d be knocking on the door of $700k. There is however, an even better reason to be considering this car, the LC 500 Convertible. If you want the purity of a naturally-aspirated V8 engine, this is the only game in town. To the uninitiated, this means that there’s less plumbing to get in the way of the exhaust noise to make its way out.
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A V8 to Savour | Lexus LC 500 Convertible

IN Lexus, LC, LC500, Lexus LC, Lexus LC500, Convertible, Lexus LC Convertible, Lexus LC500 Convertible, Borneo Motors

We may never get to hear a V8 unadulterated by turbochargers again. That alone is reason enough to buy this car while we still can.


As a result, it’s not surprising that we almost never get the chance to present to you, dear readers, the kind of daydream-inspiring metal that our UK counterparts regularly do; today is different, however. Apart from the VW Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R, no other cars can lay claim to being as indelible a part of the 21st Century hot hatch zeitgeist as the reincarnated Mini and the Renault Megane RS. The three generations of each have generally been fabulous even in standard form, but it’s their apex, most focused iterations that have most vividly captured the imagination - the John Cooper Works GPs in the British/German corner, and the R26.R and Trophy Rs in the French one.
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The Winners’ Circle | Mini JCW GP & Renault Mégane Trophy

IN MINI, JCW, JCW GP, MINI JCW, MINI JCW GP, Renault, Megane, RenaultSport, Renault Megane, Renault Megane RS, Megane RS

We round up two of the rarest hot hatch icons in Singapore - the MINI JCW GP and Renault Mégane Trophy - in search of the ultimate front-wheel drive thrills.


Did you say hybrid + turbo power? Yup. No more 1.6 NA engine, the new car is a 1.4 BOOSTERJET turbo-charged engine with a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter that helps to reduce fuel costs and lower CO2 emissions.
Happenings

Champion Motors Launch Suzuki Swift Sport at KF1 Circuit

The new Suzuki Swift Sport is now officially here via the authorised distributor, Champion Motors. We bring you the important need-to-know stuff.


Is there more power? Many changes have been made to make the GR 86 same but better. For starters, the new 2.4-litre lump makes 35 bhp more than the outgoing 2.0-litre, now producing 232 bhp and 250 Nm. As in the new BRZ, peak torque in the GR 86 is available from a much more usable 3,700rpm.
Happenings

Toyobaru Toyota Twin Revealed

IN Toyota, GR86, Toyota GR86, Toyota GR, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Toyobaru, Borneo Motors

Toyota's refreshed rear-drive coupe has launched, with the same 2.4-litre flat-4 as its related Subaru twin – but a few minor differences.


In the car world, examples that come to mind are the Mercedes-Benz G-wagen, or in years past, the Bugatti EB110 Supersport, Subaru WRX STI Spec-C, Mitsubishi Evolution VII, Lancia Delta Integrale, or Alfa Romeo SZ - all cars that are highly prized by collectors, yet you cannot call any of them “classically beautiful”. In the case of the M3 Competition Sedan and M4 Competition Coupé, their huge front grilles serve a functional purpose. The cooling requirements are substantial for a twin-turbo engine that makes 510hp and 650Nm of torque in any part of the world where temperatures can reach in excess of 50-degrees Celsius.
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M and Ms | BMW M3 Competition and M4 Competition

IN BMW, M3, M4, BMW M3, BMW M4, Performance Motors Limited

The latest dynamic duo from the BMW M division arrive in Singapore to offer two distinct flavours of performance.


This isn’t an all-new car of course, nor is it even a facelift (that comes next year, when the Countryman gets new headlights and Union Jack-themed taillights just like the rest of the Mini range, as well as new digital displays). But though it looks no different, the 2020 Countryman JCW’s updates run far deeper than facelifts conventionally do. With 306hp and 450Nm now on tap, the new Countryman JCW has made gains of 75hp and 100Nm over the 2019 model - a full one-third more power and torque than before. That’s all courtesy of an updated version of the B48 2.0-litre turbo engine, which is now in the same spec as you’d find in the BMW M135i, M235i, and X2 M35i. As a result, the 0-100km/h time drops from 6.5 to 5.1 seconds, and it’s powerful enough flat-out to warrant a 250km/h electronic speed limiter. It’s rather a different beast to drive now, and finally feels special enough to justify its existence (and its price tag).
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Rally the Troops | Mini Countryman John Cooper Works

IN MINI, Countryman, JCW, John Cooper Works, MINI Countryman, MINI John Cooper Works

The biggest and most expensive Mini you can buy gets a lot more power for 2020, finally giving it performance that’s worthy of the JCW name.


Happenings

The different flavours of BMW Luxury

IN BMW, GKL, GKL Range, BMW 7, 7 Series, BMW 8, 8 Series, BMW X7, X7, Luxury Cars

BMW Luxury motoring is defined in 3 different ways as shown by these flagship models.


That’s where the S60 T8 R-Design comes in. It’s the most powerful Volvo you can buy today, with the sort of on-paper figures that might give warm sports saloons like the Audi S4, BMW M340i, and Mercedes-AMG C43 a right old scare: 402hp, 640Nm of torque and 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds. Except, the S60 doesn’t follow your traditional sports saloon recipe. It’s a plug-in hybrid you see, which means a twin-charged 315hp 2.0-litre engine driving the front wheels, and an 87hp electric motor powering the rears. And that, I’m afraid, is the S60’s undoing as a performance car.
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Plugged In | Volvo S60 T8 R-Design

IN Volvo, S60, Volvo S60, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, PHEV

402hp makes the new S60 T8 plug-in hybrid the most powerful Volvo ever sold in Singapore. But is that enough to make it compelling for keen drivers?


More uncanny than that though, is how the car flows down any given road, the tyres always keyed into the surface, rising and falling perfectly along every bump or undulation. The XE gives a feeling of connection with the road yet never discomfort, the ride being supple and refined despite wearing large 19-inch rims. It’s a real triumph of chassis and suspension tuning, a stark contrast to the similarly athletic but frustratingly brittle-riding BMW 3 Series.
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A Sporting Tradition | Jaguar XE R-Dynamic P250

IN Jaguar, Jaguar XE, Sports sedans, Luxury sedans, New cars, Reviews

The Jaguar XE used to bring deft dynamics to the premium saloon class, but little else besides; has a facelift changed things?


Similarly, when it comes to tyres, I was pleasantly surprised to come across a brand that was completely new to me. Davanti, is a relatively new UK-based tyre company which designs and develops its products in Great Britain.
The Pit

Silent Screamer | Davanti DX640 Tyre Review

Psst! Want to know the best-kept secret in Ultra High-Performance tyres? Prepare to be pleasantly surprised by the Davanti DX640.


On the topic of dynamics, one feature stands out in the options list that would be of immense interest to keen drivers: a limited-slip differential, which helps with traction when powering out of corners, as well as makes the car easier to drift. This is only in conjunction with the Adaptive M Suspension, which is standard fitment on the 430i M Sport Pro; it’s not currently clear if this can be optioned on the 420i as well (it gets fixed-rate M Sport suspension instead).
Happenings

New BMW 4 Series noses into Singapore at S$219k

IN BMW, 4 Series, Coupes, New cars, Local news, Launch

420i and 430i models are the launch variants for BMW’s new coupe, which sports a controversially bold new design


It started with the Cupra Leon, then now the Cupra Ateca SUV we see here and soon, the Cupra Formentor Coupe SUV - which will only (likely) be sold as a Cupra.
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Spanish Fly | Cupra Ateca 2.0 TSI

It might not be a common choice, but ignore this performance SUV at your own risk!


Since getting the RE004s fitted, I’ve covered just over 2,000km with them. In this short time, the improvements over the RE003 have shone through clearly – handling and steering response in the dry is markedly better. Through both sharp corners and long sweepers, the RE004s don’t understeer and push out quite as much as the RE003s, and they respond well to mid-corner corrections.
The Pit

Tyre Review: Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE004

IN Bridgestone Tyre Sales Singapore, Bridgestone, Potenza, Potenza Adrenalin, Potenza RE004, RE004, Performance Tyre, Street Performance Tyre, Tyre, New Tyre

Have no fear, Bridgestone’s new working class hero is here!


This service, which has been described as a sort of Netflix for cars, allows users to get behind the wheel of a BMW without the heavy commitment of a purchase or lease; the service may be used for periods as short as a week or a month at a time.
Happenings

COVID-19: BMW offers discounted car subscription for healthcare workers in Singapore

IN Covid-19, Circuit breaker, BMW, Singapore, Local news

Frontline healthcare workers can enjoy safer, private mobility with Access by BMW, from $50 per day


Part of that has almost certainly got to do with Singapore’s preference for four-door models, which would make us something of a priority market. For all intents and purposes, the 2 GC is essentially a four-door version of the new front-drive-based 1 Series (note: not an elongated version of the rear-drive 2 Series Coupe). And despite the “Coupe” part of its name, there’ll be a good chunk of local buyers who see this as the cheapest entry into a new BMW “sedan”, similar to its arch-rival, Mercedes-Benz’s CLA when it first arrived seven years ago.
Happenings

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe arrives in Singapore

218i and M235i variants are available; prices start from S$160k with COE


Happenings

Get Ready For A Quiet Revolution...

IN GMC, Hummer, EV, Electric Vehicle, Electric, Truck,

Yes, you've read that right. The Hummer is back as a fully electric truck with more than 1,000 hp and both on- and off-road capabilities.


1. The last time Toyota made such a car was 20 years ago. The Celica GT-FOUR brought the company 30 rally victories, four drivers' championship titles and one manufacturers' championship. It remains one of the most iconic rally-bred cars the world has ever seen. In a reference to its illustrious predecessor and its all-wheel-drive technology, the Toyota GR Yaris will have a GR-FOUR logo on its tailgate.
Happenings

Five Fast Facts | Toyota GR Yaris

The world has been waiting for a car like this. Thank you, Toyota, for giving us a potential gem.


Under the Mercedes-Benz certification, owners can be confident that the vehicle technical standards are strictly adhered to. This means that every vehicle’s exterior, interior, mileage and service record are reviewed thoroughly by trained technicians (by Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer Cycle & Carriage) to ensure optimal vehicle performance and condition.
Happenings

Certified Mercedes-Benz Pre-owned cars launched in Singapore

Drive a piece of (pre-owned) luxury with peace of mind.


Materials are not of Audi-level, as expected of course. But they do feel robust enough to last for many years to come. To some extent, it is less stressful and therefore more enjoyable to use practical interiors like these as a daily runabout, simply because you don’t have to concern yourself with having an immaculate interior.
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A Compelling Case | SEAT Leon 1.0 TSI

Gone are the days where large capacity engines are needed for a car’s lively performance. The introduction of turbochargers has allowed even the base-model in any line-up to drive decently.



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