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What’s new underneath? Having debuted in Europe last year, the fourth-generation Audi A3 is finally in Singapore in both the Sedan and Sportback bodystyles. The latest A3 has been improved both inside and out, and is built on the new MQB Evo platform that that’s shared with the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Golf. It’ll be safe to expect the same sporty yet comfortable ride that the previous generation A3 was known for, but even that’s been made even better. The latest model gets a sophisticated new chassis, replacing the old model’s rear torsion beam suspension with a multi-link setup.
Happenings

We accidentally previewed the all-new Audi A3

IN Audi, A3, Audi A3, All-new A3, Premium Automobiles

The all-new Audi A3 has arrived in Singapore… and we managed to get a sneak preview! Here’s all that’s new and exciting about Audi’s latest offering in the compact segment.


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.


The 3 Series has long been a stalwart of the fiercely competitive compact executive sedan segment; with Singapore’s vehicle tax structure generating consistently healthy sales for its entry level models. Buyers are happy with a premium badge on the nose, for just a slight premium over alternative Asian makes.
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Less is More | BMW 318i Sport

IN BMW, BMW 3, BMW 3 Series, BMW 318i, Performance Motors Limited

With a willing engine, lively handling, and a good bit of kit, entry level doesn’t feel quite as such in the new BMW 318i.


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.


This then, has the all-singing, all-dancing full-blooded AMG powerplant for the family of Mercedes cars that bear the letter ‘A’; A-Class, CLA and GLA. The 45 series of AMG cars is the entry point to what some might consider as a ‘proper’ AMG as the engines come from a “one-man, one-engine” production line where the finished power unit bears a plaque with the name and signature of the technician who put the mechanical masterpiece together. My compliments then, to Alexander Kasarez who built a fine motor for our test car. In this instance however, it is technically a “one-woman, one-engine” production. Here’s to Girl Power!
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Sense of Occassion | Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Coupé

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, CLA, CLA 45S, Mercedes-AMG CLA 45S

The most powerful 2.0-litre car you can buy adds a touch of practicality to make it a more useable daily proposition.


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?


No other single letter in the automotive industry packs as much history, success, passion, and performance as M, something that’s clearly evident in BMW’s own tagline: “M. The most powerful letter in the world.” Naturally, all BMW M models follow the company’s alphanumeric naming structure, which is brilliant in its logic and its simplicity. But for such special memorable vehicles, BMW M cars deserve to be known by more than just a number. The following M words best define the lineup of BMW M today: BMW M2 Competition - The Mischievous one
Happenings

M. The most powerful letter in the world

IN BMW, BMW M, Coupes, Sports sedans, M2, M3, M4, M5, M8

If you have a powerful and iconic reputation, you don’t need whole sentences to tell your story. Just one letter will do.


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?


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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.


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


Style and substance That’s not all. All that vroom and room is packaged in a dashing form. Every Porsche SUV has a commanding road presence. With a wide stance and design elements from the front to the rear fenders that echo the 911, there is no mistaking the profile of a Porsche SUV.
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Five reasons why a Porsche SUV is the perfect luxury car to own

IN Porsche, Singapore, SUV, Cayenne, Macan, Stuttgart Auto, Eurokars

To say that Porsche created a class of its own in the SUV world is an understatement. Since the launch of the Porsche Cayenne in 2003, car makers everywhere have been trying to play catch-up!


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


All in all, it proved to be an eye-opening day for us. As we conclude our short road trip tomorrow, we’re told that we will be making our way across some interesting roads. More of that in our 'Day-Two' story soon!
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Finding Portugal with the BMW X1 xDrive25d | Day One

IN BMW, Xdrive, X1, Portugal, SUV, XDrive25d, Travel

There’s no better way to discover what a country has to offer than to explore it by car. We grab the keys to the BMW X1 and do just that.



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