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Anyway out on the expressway, the Clubman behaves in a very gentlemanly manner with the engine spinning below 2,500 rpm at 100 km/h — which means engine noise is barely intruding. Heck, Mini’s engineers also ensured wind noise is kept to the barest minimal, making themselves heard only near three-figures region. Somehow this compliments the style as well — style and refinement rarely come hand in hand for cars below $150k.
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Wagon Special 3: MINI Cooper Clubman

IN MINI, Mini, Clubman, Cooper, Cooper Clubman, MINI Cooper Clubman, 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

Into its second modern iteration, can the new Clubman break into the mainstream market and be a volume seller?


The Clubsport S is characterised by similarly good balance to the “normal” Clubsport, even at higher levels of lateral acceleration, allowing even higher cornering speeds. Braking performance was also perfected, in particular to prevent the rear-end from breaking away, especially when braking into very fast corners. Combined with the aerodynamics measures, this results in the driver being able to brake into bends with the Golf GTI Clubsport S in a controlled way, without losing driving stability, resulting in extremely good driveability up to the limits.
Happenings

Ultimate Golf GTI Shows Up; Clocks New 'Ring Record

IN Volkswagen, VW, Golf, GTI, Golf GTI, Mark 7, Clubsport S, S, Golf GTI Clubsport S

Volkswagen produces the ultimate Golf GTI: 305 hp, 380 Nm


Built around a stiff structural monocoque using carbon fibre, titanium and Kevlar, it claims to be the only supercar to also use graphene, a material that is made up of a layer of pure carbon atoms that are arranged in a honeycomb structure. The result is a light, flexible and strong element, and the GTA Spano has quite a bit of it.
Happenings

A Spano In The Works

IN Spania GTA, GTA Spano, Spanish supercar, Hypercar, Singapore, EuroSports Global, V10

EuroSports Global, known for bringing in the 'raging bulls' you see on our roads, adds a 'wolf' into its list of brands.


That said, there is no denying how the completely reworked and redesigned MX-5 now has a more aggressive stance: The hood slopes forward to a narrow cross-section front end that features the car’s blacked-out grille, which is then combined to a pair of restyled headlight cluster (featuring LED running lights).
New

Mazda MX-5 2.0 (A) | That Same Feeling

IN Mazda, MX-5, Mazda MX-5 2.0, Miata, Auto, Roadster, Trans Eurokars

We've sampled the well-balanced manual version previously, but we needed a second opinion - hence we got our Doc, an ex-owner himself, to give us his impression


And this came after, just recently, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced that production of the Phantom Drophead Coupé (and Phantom Coupé) will come to an end. Since 2007, customers in Singapore have been commissioning the flagship Phantom Drophead Coupé, the vast majority personalised.
Happenings

Rolls-Royce Dawn Rolls Into Singapore

IN Rolls-Royce, RR, Dawn, Drophead, Convertible, Cabriolet, Open Top, Four-seater Luxury Open Top, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

With this tiny red dot recognised by the brand as the 'centre for the super luxury', the Dawn made its Southeast Asian debut in Singapore


This is the first time Continental is running the programme in South East Asia. The structured programme, which will run for a minimum period of nine months, will encourage second-year SIDM students to conceptualise and develop creative ideas to enhance the user experience for future vehicles. These students, enrolled in the diplomas in Interaction Design, Digital Game Art & Design and Game Development & Technology, can look forward to an enriching experience and potentially even have their ideas implemented by leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who have a close working relationship with Continental.
Happenings

Continental And Nanyang Polytechnic Collaborates

IN Continental, Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Interactive & Digital Media, Trend Antenna, South East Asia

Nanyang Polytechnic students are first in South East Asia to work on ideas for Continental's 'Trend Antenna' program


The DB11 showcases a fresh and distinctive design language, pioneering aerodynamics and a potent new in-house designed 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine. Built upon a new lighter, stronger, and more space efficient bonded aluminium structure, DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history. As such it is the most significant new Aston Martin since the introduction of the DB9 in 2003.
Happenings

Singapore Gets Aston Martin's DB11

IN Aston, Aston Martin, DB11, Aston Martin DB11, New, Wearnes

Besides a suave bodywork, the highlight of the DB11 includes the twin-turbocharged V12 heart


The most powerful production Fiesta ever, the Fiesta ST200 will sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7sec, and will feature an exclusive specification including a unique Storm Grey exterior, distinctive machined matt black alloy wheels and special interior detailing. Production of the Fiesta ST200 starts from June with customer deliveries this summer. “The Fiesta ST is truly beloved by owners and critics. The ST200 takes this special drivers’ car to a new level of power and performance,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “I think it’s a future classic in the making.”
Happenings

Ford's Hot And Compact ST200 Unveiled

IN Ford, Fiesta, ST200, Fiesta ST200, EcoBoost, Ford EcoBoost, 1.6-litre, Turbocharged

The most powerful production Fiesta in Ford's history also features exclusive specification with unique Storm Grey exterior, matt black alloy wheels and special interior detailing


The Huracán LP 580-2 has been engineered and tuned for an essential driving experience. With its naturally aspirated V10 5.2-litre engine sending 580 hp to the rear axle, the Huracán LP 580-2’s dry weight is just 1,389 kg; this is 33 kg lighter than the four-wheel-drive version.
Happenings

LP 580-2 Now Available For Local Orders

IN Lamborghini, Lambo, Huracan, LP 580-2, Huracan LP 580-2, Lamborghini Singapore

0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h, rear-wheel drive - sounds like much fun?


ALPINA has also invested considerable expertise in the engine. The highly-responsive, direct injection V8 uses two specially-developed twin-scroll turbochargers located between the cylinder banks, operating in parallel to deliver up to 1.2-bar with minimum inertia. An indirect intercooler system (air/water/air) further improves both power and responsiveness, with a main intercooler feeding the two large-volume close-coupled intercoolers. Together with additional radiators, the system ensures the thermodynamic stability of the V8 Bi-Turbo engine at all times, even under the highest sustained loads and most aggressive ambient air temperatures.
Happenings

Behold: The Epitome Of 'Super Saloon'

IN Alpina, B7, Bi-Turbo, BMW, Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo, Super Saloon, Geneva

New 600 hp Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo super saloon to be launched at Geneva - performance, ultimate luxury, comfort and quality all in one package


First impressions of the GS F can be polarizing, with the sharp lines of standard GS enhanced by a gaping front maw with a mesh grille and vented fenders flowing into swooping side skirts, as well as a diffuser, quad pipes and a carbon-fiber lip spoiler out back. The front and rear light clusters have also been redesigned. While some may find it overkill, this writer finds the enhancements well suited to the GS shape, adding a good dose of presence.
Happenings

Lexus GS F Unveiled

IN Lexus, GS, F, GS F, F Sport, Toyota, V8, Saloon, Sedan

BMW M5 too mainstream? Lexus now has your answer, albeit with a twist to the current über sedan formula


BP — Would you be as effective with another driver or is there a sort of chemistry between you guys? MA — I think it depends mostly on how well you can cope with the system of a particular driver, because normally every driver has his own preference and the co-driver must adapt himself and understand what the driver needs. There are several co-drivers who have been successful with several different drivers, so I think that one driver can be successful with many co-drivers, but for a co-driver to be successful he needs a very talented driver. BP — Jari-Matti, has there ever been a case where you found yourself expecting more of Miikka? JML — No, not really. Its only been a few times where if Miikka has been a little bit late or going a little too early then I will just tell him to wait a moment, or just telling him ”next note, next note
Motorsports

An Intimate Interview with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila | Part 1

IN VW, Volkswagen, WRC, Rally, World Rally Championship, Polo, Polo R, Motorsport, Latvala, Jari-Matti, Anttila, Miikka, Finland

Meet motorsport’s highest-flying Finns as they talk Group B, co-driving, and their intra-cockpit relationship.


Good for me. On the flipside, since I own one such car, I must confess over the years my social circle is getting smaller and smaller…
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MINI John Cooper Works | Grown Up

IN MINI, John Cooper Works, JCW, Cooper, MINI Habitat

The JCW becomes significantly more fun with the bigger engine — growing up isn’t all that bad in this case


Happenings

New Huracan Spyder Drops In At The Second Home Of The Bulls

IN Lamborghini, Huracan, Spyder, Roadster, V10, Singapore, Eurosports Auto, Launch

Lamborghini’s latest drop-top is unveiled at a brand new satellite showroom in Suntec City.


Even the Mark 2 Focus sold well; be it in hatchback, sedan or wagon guises, the Focus made it into every corner of this tiny little dot.
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Ford Mondeo 1.5 GTDI EcoBoost | Small Heart, Run Free

IN Ford, Mondeo Ford Mondeo, EcoBoost, 1.5-litre, 1.5 EcoBoost, GTDI, Regent Motors

Ford’s new 1.5-litre Mondeo promises everything you would need in a large family car… and more


BP — The previous 3 generations of MX-5 had a design that was quite cute, rounded and smiley, which clearly evolved over the years. Why then did the ND's styling suddenly change to something quite aggressive and angry? Nakayama — Of course, compared to the previous generations, the design is more aggressive, but I personally believe the most important thing is not how it compares to the older cars. When you look at the car without prior knowledge about the previous models, whether it is beautiful or aggressive or not, is not the most important thing. I believe that when we introduced the first-generation model, among all the players in the industry, car design had certain tendencies. So maybe every player had a much more pretty or softer face. But now, so many players have a much more aggressive face and complex design. So I think that compared to the other players today, the design is not that aggressive.
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part II | Masashi Nakayama, Chief Designer

IN Mazda, MX-5, Interview, Chief, ND, Designer, Kodo

In the second of this two-part series, we sat down with the new MX-5’s Chief Designer to learn more about the car’s drastic change in appearance, and the role designers play in creating a new car.


But boy oh boy how things have changed for Jaguar now with their latest compact executive sedan. I strongly urge you: If you are about to head to either BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi showroom to confirm your order for the 3 Series, C-Class or A4 and hand over the deposit cheque, hold on to it first and tell the salesperson you intend to ‘sleep on it for another night’.
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Jaguar XE 2.0 Prestige | Cat's Out Of The Bag

IN Jaguar, XE, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XE sedan, Jaaaaag, Wearnes Automotive

Jaguar’s latest XE poses a real threat to the more established Germans — hold on to your chequebook first


Sadly, this, the Evo X Final Edition, will be the model's swansong. After ten, well, evolutions, its storied 23-year history will be coming to an end. There will not be a replacement for the current Evo X (which has been in production since 2007), as Mitsubishi wants to move towards increased electrification and hybridisation of its cars.
Happenings

The Final Evolution

IN Mitsubishi, Evo, Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Final

Break out the tissue packets and say a teary farewell; the Mitsubishi Evo as we know and love it is going the way of the dodo.


Power gets to the road via a pair of 6-speed transmissions. An automatic is optional but the manual offers enough convenience features to make life easy, with features such as hill-start assist and automated rev matching. The latter is particularly useful, helping to prevent stalling and allowing quick, seamless downshifts.
Happenings

Modern Workhorse

IN Toyota, Hilux, Pickup, Rugged, SUV, 4x4

Now in its eighth generation, Toyota has thoroughly revised the Hilux with the same values of ruggedness and utility, but added a good dollop of everyday usability as well.


Yup, that's right — with the introduction of the facelifted 991 generation (or 991.2 for short), the naturally aspirated Porsche 911 Carrera is no more. Out go the 3.4 and 3.8-litre engines from the base Carrera and Carrera S respectively, and in comes a bi-turbo 3.0-litre flat six shared by both models.
Happenings

Auf Wiedersehen, Saugmotor Carrera

IN Facelift, Porsche, 911, PDK, Turbo, Carrera

Let us bid a fond farewell to the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera, as Porsche straps on a pair of turbos to the facelifted model.



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