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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.


But wafting comes at a cost (usually in excess of seven figures). To make it more accessible to the rich-but-not-as-rich businessmen, premium brands like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Jaguar have made it their life-long aim to produce flagship models that can emulate that smooth road-yacht feel.
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Magic Carpet Ride | Audi A8 Mild Hybrid 3.0 TFSI

For the longest time, the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series have topped the luxury barge segment's market share. Can Audi's new A8 steal some sales with this new party trick?


Happenings

MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition Cooper S

Only 5 MINI Paddy Hopkirk Edition Cooper S models will be made available in Singapore.


What are your top 3 achievements in 2020? Our greatest achievement in 2020 was having BMW recognised in Singapore as the second top-selling car brand, and the best-selling among premium brands. In addition to moving up three positions, from 5th to 2nd, our market share increased to 9.8%, the highest market share of any BMW NSC worldwide.But that’s not all. We maintained segment leadership in the Philippines for the second year in a row, and also secured premium segment leadership in Indonesia after 15 years (as of YTD December 2020).Finally, sales in the region increased for both BMW and MINI brands across their model range. Our luxury models – 7 Series, 8 Series and X7 – increased by 15% and sales of BMW M and M Performance models increased by 14% in Singapore. Specifically, in the Philippines and Vietnam, luxury model sales increased by 63% and 48% respectively compared to 2019.  For MINI, we witnessed extremely strong growth compared to 2019 with our xEV models (+63%), Performance JCW models (+116%), and the new MINI Clubman (+74%).None of this would have been possible without the relentless ongoing support of our strong partners in all markets.
Happenings

“10 questions to…”

Challenges. Successes. Mr. Christopher Wehner, the Managing Director of BMW Group Asia shares how he has taken the BMW Group Asia region to new heights.


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?


For the brand typically associated with fictional super-spy James Bond, a large, high-riding SUV seems a bit out of character – or is it? With the DBX, Aston Martin aims to combine the versatility expected of a luxury SUV, with sports car levels of dynamic performance. As it is, 70 percent of Aston Martin customers already own an SUV (or three); it thus makes sense that the company simply take the final step of converting their existing SUV to a DBX. It also serves as an excellent proposition for existing owners who love to drive their Vantage or DB11, but occasionally prefer being driven.
Happenings

The Aston Martin DBX arrives in Singapore

IN Aston Martin, DBX, Aston Martin DBX, Aston Martin Singapore, Aston Martin Lagonda Singapore

Want something sportier than a Cullinan or Bentayga? Great news – order books for the DBX are now open!`


… appreciate luxury Step into the new CR-V, and you'll be greeted by a stylish and spacious interior that feature quality materials with a contemporary design. Contrasting satin-finished wood grain panels line the interior against the dark-coloured leather seats, providing the CR-V with an upscale ambience like no other Japanese SUV in its class.
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Simply better than the rest | Honda CR-V

Looking to get an SUV for this new year? You'd be spoilt for choice in this current sea of offerings that carmakers have to offer. But which one is best? 


Enter the range-topping 1.5 Luxe e:HEV model, which features a 1.5-litre engine mated to a hybrid powertrain for a mix of fuel economy and effortless acceleration. Newly developed for the Jazz, this e:HEV system combines a petrol engine with two powerful drive motors; however, unlike a typical hybrid vehicle, the engine and electric motor operate independently.
Happenings

The all-new Honda Jazz arrives in Singapore

IN Honda, Jazz, Honda Jazz, Kah Motor

Honda’s most-loved little hatchback gets revamped and electrified


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?


“Sportiness” may be one of the most overused marketing cliches in the automotive world, but given Toyota’s recent form with the GR Supra, GR Yaris, and LC500, we’ve got plenty to be optimistic about in the new IS. Stay tuned for our review coming soon.
Happenings

The sportier and sexier new Lexus IS launches in Singapore

IN Lexus, IS, Lexus IS, IS300, IS350, Sports sedans, Luxury sedans, Car launch, New cars

Aggressive new looks back up a more thrilling drive in the heavily updated Lexus IS; prices start from S$199k


The Bentayga Speed gets several exterior styling cues to hint at its performance credentials, including dark-tinted grilles, headlights, taillights and wheels. More obvious tell-tale signs of the 626 bhp that lurk beneath the bonnet are the body-coloured side skirts, larger rear spoiler, and large oval tailpipes.
Happenings

Nip, tuck, and electrification: the new Bentley Bentayga

IN Bentley, SUV, Bentayga, New cars, Car launch

Bentley’s first model under their Beyond100 plan is the extensively redesigned Bentayga luxo-SUV


Known internally as a Life Cycle Improvement (LCI), the G30 BMW 5 Series has received such a comprehensive list of updates that it is, for all intents and purposes, a new model. Similarly, the G32 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo has been simultaneously refreshed to provide customers with a longer, five-door alternative.
Happenings

Executive decisions: The New BMW 5 Series and BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo

IN BMW, New 5 Series, New 6 Series GT, 530i M Sport Edition, 630i Gran Turismo, M Sport, Digital Key, Executive cars

With both cars featuring a host of styling and technology updates, the only hard choice left is to decide between the new BMW 5 Series sedan or BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo fastback.


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


As we approach one of the most impactful evolutions of the automotive landscape, where electric cars will slowly-but-surely be a mainstay, BMW has made its mark with the all-new, all-electric iX SAV.
Happenings

A first look into BMW’s future

BMW reveals new iX at their NEXTGen world premiere.


The TT RS 40 years of quattro (quite a mouthful) is powered by the award-winning 2.5 TFSI engine from Audi Sport. The five-cylinder packs 400 PS and develops a maximum torque of 480 Nm.
Happenings

Only 40 units for this Limited edition Audi

It's been 40 years of quattro (Audi's all-wheel-drive) and they've whipped up a special edition TT to celebrate.


Unlike said feats of fantasy, the Taycan isn’t a just limited-edition collector’s item, but a full series production car which you could put pen to chequebook for, and order tomorrow at Porsche Centre Singapore. This follows from a virtual launch on Facebook Live, and in-person test drives are available as well.
Happenings

Porsche Taycan range now officially launched in Singapore

The order books for the fastest production electric car you can buy are now open - prices start from S$485k without COE.


Maybe it’s the fact that you turn in on and there is no audible sound that tells you it’s started. That silence is evident throughout the drive and there is no corresponding increase in audible intensity even if you’re speeding past other road users at high speed. Or perhaps it’s the clinical interior that’s full of buttons and touchscreens, much like a smart phone, that really removes the whole ‘car’ experience.
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Electronic Audi | Audi e-tron 55 Quattro

Audi’s first all-electric car to be offered here in Singapore is one of the easiest cars to get acquainted with driving an electric car.


Speed Forme's Nissan 260Z S30 This resto-modded Nissan 260Z (S30) is the work of Speed Forme, an aero parts brand just outside Osaka that caters specifically to Nissan’s S30 chassis. While retaining most of its 70’s styling cues, the Fairlady now has several subtle carbon add-ons and sits on 17-inch Volk Racing TE37SL wheels.
Happenings

Tokyo Auto Salon 2020: Part 2

IN Tokyo Auto Salon, Tokyo Auto Salon 2020, TAS, TAS 2020, Tokyo, Japan, Tuning, Modified

The Japanese tuning scene is ever-evolving. Just as you think there's nothing else they can do, the Japanese don't disappoint - as our trip to TAS 2020 revealed.



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