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The Lexus ES250 F Sport, it would seem, is one answer: take the historically least sporty Lexus saloon - the FWD Toyota Camry-based ES - and apply a racy garnish to it. And in case you thought this was just some cynical window dressing, there’s some legitimacy to it: a couple years ago I interviewed the ES’s Chief Engineer Yasuhiro Sakakibara, who said the current-gen ES was engineered to be a sharper drive than before to cover some of the ground lost when the RWD Lexus GS was discontinued.
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Lexus ES250 F Sport review: Purpose Undefined

IN Lexus, ES, Lexus ES, ES250, Lexus F, Sports sedans, Luxury sedans, New cars

For decades the Lexus ES has been saddled with something of an old-man image; can racier F Sport mods put the spring of youth in its step?


When it comes to the latter, the entry version known as the i4 eDrive40, when fully-charged, is capable of a range of up to 590km. Timely, considering that Singapore drivers will be able to drive into Malaysia without restrictions again from April 1st. With such a range, the i4 should be able to be driven to Kuala Lumpur without any problems. It is also reassuring to know that Shell has a network of 180kW high-speed chargers along the North-South Expressway in Malaysia just in case the i4 or any other EV needs a quick juice-up. Powered by a 250kW (340hp) and 430Nm electric motor that drives the rear wheels, this enables this EV to accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.7 seconds.
Happenings

BMW i4 launched in Singapore

IN BMW, I4, EV, 4 Series

The first four-door EV from BMW sets the brand on a direct course with the Tesla Model 3 in its sights


And now, they’ve made a new one, though sadly, it’s also to be the last V12 Vantage Aston says they’ll make. And you can’t buy one either, because they’ve already sold every single one of the 333 cars they’re making. Still, not like you or I could ever have afforded one anyway, and the fact it’s all snapped up doesn’t detract from this being probably one of the last pure-ICE new cars we’ll ever be celebrating.
Happenings

The Aston Martin V12 Vantage marks the end of an era

IN Aston Martin, Vantage, V12, Supercar, GT

Not only is this the final time we’ll see a V12 in an Aston Vantage, it’ll sadly also be one of the last times we’ll see a car maker cram a bit engine in a small car.


The Mazda CX-60 may be a 'tame' family hauler rather than a fire-breathing rotary sports coupe, but it still piqued more than a bit of interest here at the office. That's because the platform the CX-60 rides on, which will go on to underpin a number of Mazda's larger future offerings (including the next-gen Mazda 6), has the engine mounted longitudinally, which means… … wait for it… … a rear-wheel drive mechanical layout!
Happenings

Launched with a Buzz | Mazda CX-60 PHEV SUV

IN Mazda, CX-60, SUV, Hybrid

Kodo, Ma, Kaichou, Musubu, Hacho and Kakenui for you, Takumi-san?


But while they might not be as affordable as the 1 Series Hatchback, nor as ubiquitous as the 3 Series saloon, nor as eco-friendly as the electric iX3 SUV, nor as luxurious as the flagship 7 Series limo, the 2 Series Active Tourer and Coupe are still vitally important to the brand in their individual ways: BMW 2 Series Coupe
Happenings

Why the 2nd-gen 2 Series Active Tourer and Coupe are the most important new BMWs in Singapore

IN BMW, 2 Series, Tourer, Coupe, Singapore, New

They’re neither the cheapest nor the most advanced BMW models, but the new 2 Series compact MPV and coupe are vital for the brand. Here’s why.


Overall review on the game Gran Turismo 7 combines the best aspects from previous series iterations with new additions. So whether you are planning on racing competitively, trying to complete the dream collection, a fine-tuning perfectionist, a livery designer, a photographer, or even just an arcade advocate, features inspired by Gran Turismo's past, present, and future will pique your interest in cars.
The Pit

3 Things We Really Like About PlayStation's Gran Turismo 7

IN Sony, PlayStation, Singapore Review, GT7, Gran Turismo 7, Console, Gaming, Cars, Simulator, Driving,

Our first impression of Sony's latest cult driving simulator.


1932 Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B
Classics

Be mesmerised by priceless classics drifting on a frozen lake at ICE St Moritz

IN Concours, ICE St Moritz, Classic cars, Drifting

A gazillion times better than Disney On Ice


Say hello to the Polestar O2. It's a 2+2 seater EV roadster concept that Polestar's CEO Thomas Ingenlath calls
Happenings

Live out your racing video game fantasies with the Polestar O2

IN Polestar, O2, Electric vehicle, EV, Roadster, Sports car

The Polestar O2 is an all-electric roadster concept with its own self-tracking drone


The electric premium crossover scored a total of 279 points, fending off a shortlist that was almost entirely comprised of pure EVs, a clear indication of the direction the automotive industry is trending towards. This is the first time that Kia, or any other South Korean car manufactuer, has won the prestigious title, and the third time for an EV.
Happenings

Kia EV6 wins European Car of the Year 2022

IN Kia, EV6, EV, Awards

Electric crossover takes the gong ahead of an almost all-EV final shortlist


Find a twisty road however, and it doesn’t take long to unearth the RS’s other talents. Whack the DCC up into sport, and the car becomes a highly effective, if slightly clinical, road devourer. The meaty yet quick steering is confidence-inspiring and makes accurate placing of the car an intuitive affair, and the body control lent by the DCC is exceptional. As with the RS245 and Mk8 GTI though, the crowning glory is the limited-slip differential, which mitigates any trace of untidy wheelspin as you power out of corners, a trait which the old GTI sometimes frustrated me with.
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First Drive: 2022 Skoda Octavia RS

IN Skoda, Octavia, Octavia RS, Hot hatch, Sports saloon, Skoda Centre Singapore

The Skoda Octavia RS is back, and continues to offer the same incredible value and practicality. We take it out for a brief taster to see what it’s like


Colleague Sheldon has already done a thorough lifestyle-review of the iX3 in full-glory 4K, so this article will concentrate on the rudiments of the EV experience from the perspective of a complete newbie – yours truly.
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An EV-newbie's Virgin Experience | with BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive

IN BMW, IX3, M Sport, EV, Charging

Electric cherry popped


Factor in the current COE price of $82k and the M340i comes within striking distance of the $376,581 Audi S4, also an all-wheel drive 3-litre turbocharged sport sedan that makes 353hp and 500Nm of torque. Altogether, that’s good for an electronically-limited 250km/h top speed and 4.7 second sprint from 0-100km/h. Compelling? Moreover, even though it still sports a straight-6 turbo engine, the M340i is now available in Singapore only with all-wheel drive, or xDrive as BMW calls it. Cue moans and groans from hardcore BMW enthusiasts. Since the regular G20 has already been covered in a previous article, we’ll simply focus on what makes this an M Performance vehicle. The Important Bits The M340i features bulging intakes up front, which sets it apart from the regular 3er and makes that front-end look sharper and meaner. Don’t be deceived by those slim headlights though – they’re up there with the best that we‘ve tested.
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BMW M340i xDrive: Formerly known as Prince

IN BMW, M, M340i, XDrive

True commitment to (most of) BMW’s traditional values is needed


If the car vaguely looks like a Volvo XC40, particularly from the front end, that’s probably because it mostly is Polestar started out as a performance sub-brand of the Swedish carmaker. The brand is under ownership of Geely Auto, which also includes Lotus, smart, Proton, and of course, Volvo amongst its 18-brand portfolio. The Chinese auto giant has deemed that Polestar be positioned as a standalone dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) brand. Getting on pole
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POLE POSITION: Polestar 2 aims for Tesla Model 3

IN Polestar, EV, Sedan, Electric vehicle

The Volvo-spawned EV brand makes its debut in Singapore with Polestar 2, a compact sedan which offers something different from the popular American brand.


The redesigned model will come in seven colours, including WR Blue Pearl which is unique to the Subaru brand (in other words, not available with the Toyota GR86 – which is available in Neptune and Trueno Blue in other markets).
Happenings

BRZ to arrive in Singapore soon

The second-generation BRZ is due here soon. The 2.4-litre boxer engine in the new BRZ will push out 232 bhp and 250Nm of torque.


So Honda has unveiled a camo-wrapped Civic Type R, complete with video clips of it charging around Suzuka Circuit, and we here at Burnpavement are happy that it appears to look more subdued than the incumbent FK8R, with its plethora of fake vents and aero devices. The outgoing model features a 2-litre turbo inline-4 engine pumping out 315hp. We hope the next variant takes things up to around 340hp. Unwrapping later this year will tell the full story. Subaru
Happenings

2022 Tokyo Auto Salon - A Round-up

IN Tokyo, Auto, Salon, 2022, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru

I wonder if you know, how they live in Tokyo, if you seen it, then you mean it, then you know you have to go...


Aesthetically, too, Hyundai’s latest Sensuous Sportiness design identity boldly takes innocuous family-mobiles and adds dramatic styling. In late 2020, this made its debut on Singapore roads with the new Avante. It instantly became the clear choice for someone whose emotional side wanted a boldly-styled car, yet their rational side called for a sensible sedan. Hyundai’s now put the new design identity to work on their crossovers – and if you ask me, it’s turned out even better with the Tucson’s rugged proportions. An Exterior with Funkiness
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The Future is Funky | Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

IN Hyundai, Tucson, Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Komoco Motors

Hyundai has taken a gamble with the new, boldly-styled Tucson SUV – and it’s paid off handsomely.


In Singapore’s market, GLB 35 occupies a pretty unique niche. The Cupra Ateca sits in the same category for space and pace but not so on price, while the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman comes close on price and performance but not so on space. Since the more mundane, practical aspects of the Mercedes-Benz GLB have already been covered in the review of the GLB 200, the focus of this article will be on the GLB 35’s raison d’être – pant-pummelling performance with suitably-aggressive looks to boot.
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Zesty and Zingy Family SUV | Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, GLB, GLB-Class, GLB 35, 35 AMG, Cycle & Carriage, Cycle & Carriage Mercedes-Benz

(G)ood (L)ikeable (B)read-van.


“Audi fans and customers have a lot to look forward to in the new year with a strong emphasis on the most prestigious members of the Audi family,” said Markus Schuster, Managing Director of Audi Singapore. Judging by the list they’ve sent us, we concur… RS 3 Sedan & RS 3 Sportback
Happenings

New Year, New Audis!

IN Audi, RS3, S8, R8, R8 V10, R8 RWD, R8 V10 RWD, SQ7, SQ8, E-tron, Sportback

From supercars, to ubersedans, to hot SUVs – Audi’s got something for everyone in the coming year!


Happenings

BMW Teases Us with their upcoming 2022 Model Line-up

IN BMW, 2 Series, 8 Series, M8 Competition, 3 Series, X7, X1, 7 Series, I7

Exciting times ahead!


No matter, the A3 got a pass for the rest of the (rather competent) package. ‘The S3 will be better,’ I thought, and boy was I right. Stealth Rocketship
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Potent Weapon | Audi S3 Sedan

IN Audi, S3, Audi S3, S3 Sedan, Premium Automobiles

There’s no need to give up hot hatch thrills even after you’re all grown up.



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