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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.

With McLaren’s thirty years’ experience working with carbonfibre (first carbonfibre chassis in Formula One and first all carbon-bodied road car, the F1), it comes as no surprise that the P1 is entirely constructed from the black weave — right down to its central load-bearing structure, the MonoCage tub. And since carbonfibre is moulded, the body panels could be shaped in far more complex and extreme ways than if they were made of steel or aluminium. Indeed, it is a real treat to witness and examine the P1 in the flesh, where you can’t help but marvel at how sculpted the car looks. Pictures alone do not do it justice.

Happenings

McLaren P1 Makes Southeast Asian Debut

IN McLaren, P1, Wearnes, McLaren Automotive, Hypercar, F1

Singapore is the first stop for the P1 as it makes its way around the region

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.

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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.

BP: So what kind of emotions did you experience inside the car as you finally set the record?
AG: As I came out of the measured mile, through the final timing lights, I knew that we had set the record. However, it’s not over at that point — I’m still travelling at 1,200 km/h and the car needs to stop safely. There’s also a small chance that the timing gear didn’t work — so no celebrations yet. Once the car has stopped, about 10 kilometres and 90 seconds later, the timings come through on the radio — our second run was supersonic and within the required one hour time window, and now we know we’ve done it, time to shut down the car, climb out, and join the celebrations — we’re the world champions!

Happenings

Sonic Boom!

IN Andy Green, BLOODHOUND project, Supersonic, Land speed record, Singapore Science Centre

Andy Green, the fastest man alive, tells us more about going supersonic at a recent meet at the Singapore Science Centre.

Thanks to its lightweight construction (composite body panels on top of a tubular spaceframe chassis), the Twin’Run weighs just 950kg, and can hit 100km/h in 4.5s before topping out at 250km/h. The car sits on 18-in wheels, with double wishbone suspension and Ohlins shock absorbers all around.

Happenings

Run For Miles

IN Renault, TwinRun, Concept, V6, Race

This is the French at their loony best, stuffing a big V6 into the rear of a tiny car. And what did they do with it after that? Thrash it round a track, of course!

To be fair though, the Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept isn’t all max power and unhinged lunacy. In fact, the thinking behind it is fairly inspired — using Audi’s racing experience to shed massive amounts of weight: the car weighs just 1,111kg, 300 less than the TTS on which it’s based.

Happenings

Superleicht

IN Audi, TT, Quattro, Concept, Worthersee, Festival, Lightweight, TSI

Like a Superleggera, but German. The Audi Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept makes Lamborghini's (and indeed everyone else's) efforts at a lightweight special seem completely inadequate.

The WRX concept has been designed as a ready-to-rally 4 door sedan. With a much lower and wider stance, it looks a whole lot more aggressive than the current car. To make the car even more aggressive, Subaru has ditched the tiny grille of the current car and have gone for an extremely pronounced front meshed grille and large air intake. The front end is then rounded off by a large bonnet scoop. The rear of the car has received some rather un-Subaru-like cues too; Subaru has ditched the WRX’s huge wing and replaced it with a BMW M3-esque lip spoiler. The whole package certainly looks smart, and knowing Subaru, will probably go like stink too.

Happenings

Subaru Stuns with the Scooby

IN Subaru, WRX, Impreza, WR Blue, Concept, New York

Incredible-looking WRX Concept is miles ahead of the Impreza, yet retains some of its classic DNA.

Happenings

Beetle: Now With Added Poke

IN VW, Volkswagen, Beetle, TSI

VW Singapore bolsters the Beetle range with a more powerful 1.4 TSI twincharged engine that packs 160 bhp.

Happenings

AMG Performance Centre Opens In Singapore

IN Mercedes AMG, V8, AMG Performance Center, Mercedes-Benz, C63, SLS, GT

Mercedes-Benz unveils the new AMG Performance Center, a dedicated division that will focus on enhancing the customer experience for the performance luxury brand.

After passing through the checkpoints, the cars regrouped and blasted up the North-South Highway in unison. Sheldon and myself made a good effort to do our best in this challenge and kept throttle-discipline during the drive up, keeping in mind the only rule for the challenge; that the last car had to be no more than 5 minutes away from the first car, upon arrival at the end-point. Sheldon being the more experienced 'eco' driver, made use of both the cruise control and optimal rev count to keep the consumption as low as possible.

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Don't Just Speed, Feed!

IN Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, TDI, DSG, Diesel, CEVS

To Malacca and back. Over two days. With less than a tank of diesel. We join Volkswagen on an epic trip up north to sample good food and great cars.

Our test-car was finished in black and matched with glossy black wheels. Racing stripes, wing mirrors and brake calipers were peppered in red, and the result is a rather mean looking supermini that looks ready to take on cars twice its size.

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MINI In Name Only | MINI John Cooper Works Hatch

IN MINI, MINI Habitat, Cooper S, BMW Asia, John Cooper Works

In the past, if you wanted the hottest MINI, you could only get it with three pedals. Now the John Cooper Works range comes paired with an autobox that works (pardon the pun) surprisingly well!

The V6 is offered with a choice of drivetrains from an AWD ‘Q4’ system that is LHD only, to a more traditional RWD. Both V6s are capable of a top speed of 285 km/h. This “Q4” system is a revolutionary first for the new Quattroporte.

Happenings

Maserati Quattroporte unveiled at North American International Auto Show

IN Maserati, Quattroporte, V6, V8

Maserati hopes the redesigned Quattroporte can help achieve a sales figure of 50,000 cars by 2015.

The engine is not that new, the 4.0 TFSI, which debuted last year, is an example of Audi's downsizing strategy in the high-performance category. In the new Audi RS6 Avant, the twin-turbo V8 delivers 560 bhp and 700 Nm of torque that is available between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm.

Happenings

New Audi RS6 To Be Powered By Twin-Turbo V8

IN Audi, RS6, V8, Estate

Lighter and more efficient than the previous model, but with 2 cylinders less. The new RS6 still manages to be even faster than the V10 model it replaces.

Exterior changes are hard to notice at first, but along with a host of new paint finishes, the distinctive twin circular headlights are new, and now feature LED light rings and daytime running lamps.

Happenings

BMW Z4 Gets An Update

IN BMW, Z4, Performance Motors

Lightly updated Z4 gets new exterior features, detailed interior refinements, a new Design Pure Traction equipment package, and more importantly, a fresh entry-level sDrive18i model.

Happenings

MINI John Cooper Works Paceman

IN MINI, Cooper Paceman, Paceman, John Cooper Works

Happenings

Volkswagen Chops The Top Off Its New Beetle

IN Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, Beetle, DSG, Cabriolet

Now in its third generation - after the original Beetle Cabriolet and New Beetle Cabriolet - the latest Beetle drop-top is now larger, more powerful and also more fuel-efficient.

The Cayman S runs on a 3.4-litre flat-six cylinder engine with 325 bhp, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds with Sport Chrono package and PDK, with a top speed of 281 km/h. CO2 figures for the PDK is at 188 g/km.

Happenings

New Porsche Cayman Is Lighter And Faster

IN Porsche Cayman, Cayman S, PDK, Porsche Asia Pacific, Eurokars

Following the launch of the new Boxster, Porsche is rolling out the new Cayman shortly after. The new german mid-engine coupe promises to be lighter and more fun to drive.

Held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the driving experience was held over four days for media and customers from around Asia. Instructors from England were at hand to guide participants through the custom course which displayed the prowess of the cars.

Happenings

Bentley Continental GT Speed Accelerates Into Town

IN Bentley, Singapore, Continental GT, GT Speed, W12, V8

In an exclusive drive experience, Bentley unveiled its fastest production car, the Continental GT Speed, thundering through a custom circuit with its 620 bhp W12 power plant.

Happenings

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series

IN Mercedes-AMG, SLS, AMG, GT3, Gull-wing, Mercedes-Benz, SLS, AMG, Black Series

Mercedes-AMG presents the SLS AMG GT3 race car-inspired high-end gullwing supercar, the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series. This is the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-AMG.