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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.


But lets be honest here. How many people actually do plan to buy a compact crossover like the trio and plan to keep it long term? Because realistically speaking, changes in circumstances like (a) once the number of family members increases, (b) promotion at work or, (c) you just want something bigger, there will be the need to also get another car with more space. And due to those examples, the GLA250, Q3 and X1 are just something you’d have for, well perhaps, four years maximum.
New

Volvo V60 Cross Country | Balanced Act

IN Volvo, V60, Cross Country, Volvo V60 Cross Country, Volvo V60, Wearnes Automotive, New Car

Volvo gives you a rugged wagon in the form of their new V60 Cross Country — should be able to match your Camel boots and loafers


The new headlights which look like it was directly lifted from the 458 Italia, makes the car immediately more striking. You can be excused if you think that the California is just another hardtop with pleasing lines. However, it is more than that. If you hit the switch and wait 14 seconds, you find that the touring model is actually a drop-top. The California is equipped with a retractable hardtop that quickly slips out of sight behind the passenger compartment. Thanks to its intelligent design, the stored hardtop doesn’t take too much away from trunk storage. For a sports car, there is a fair amount of storage space - easily enough to hold luggage for a weekend away.
New

Ferrari California T | Cup Of T

IN Ferrari, Ital Auto, Ferrari California T, Cabriolet, Convertible, Turbo, Singapore

The Ferrari California T is the automaker’s “entry-level” touring model, marking Maranello's modern incarnation of their turbocharged stallions.


Over its nearly four decade history, the 7-series was the first to feature some of the technology we take for granted in cars today, such as HID headlamps, and a centrally-controlled entertainment system (iDrive), just to name a few. Sadly though, the tyre spikes, sunroof-mounted rockets and remote control system found on James Bond’s E38 7-series in Tomorrow Never Dies still haven’t made it to production yet…
Happenings

BMW Asia launches tech-laden new 7-series

IN BMW, 7 series, 740Li, 750Li, Limousine, Luxury, Sedan, Germany, Launch

The sixth generation of BMW’s flagship sedan is here, and it’s lighter, cleverer and more luxurious than before.


BP — If there was one location anywhere on Earth you could drive this car, the perfect road for this car, where would it be? Yamamoto — In Japan we have four seasons; in spring we have the cherry blossoms, in summer there is lots of sunshine so you can drive the car along the coast or beach, in autumn you can enjoy the leaves changing colour in the mountains, and in winter there is snow, and you can wrap up in a scarf and enjoy the scenery. So I believe you can enjoy the drive no matter when or where. I'm sure that no matter where you live, you can find a perfect place, so I'd like for you to find the best for yourself in your own country!
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part I | Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Programme Manager

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

When the new Mazda MX-5 was launched here, two of the most important figures in its creation were in attendance. In the first of this two-part series, we had a chat with the car's Programme Manager.


Say hello to Mike Frost: Mike works for Mobil 1 and his official job title is 'Racing Technical Advisor for McLaren-Honda'. His office is a small mobile laboratory in the McLaren pit garage, literally a cubicle-sized space amongst the various spare parts, tyres and mechanics' tools. It doesn't sound like much, but his role is an important one; he analyses and tests all the car's fluids and lubricants that are supplied by Mobil — such as engine and gearbox oils, and hydraulic fluid. All these oils share the same purpose — to increase efficiency by reducing friction, resulting in increased performance and reliability.
Motorsports

The Winning Formula

IN Mobil, Mobil 1, Esso, Formula 1, Formula One, Fuel, Oil, Engine, McLaren, Honda, Team, UK, Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore GP, F1

The drivers may grab all the headlines, but there so many more heroes in Formula 1, some of whom you never knew existed.


A company cannot survive on building niche sports cars alone; hence the Giulia wades into arguably the most hotly contested segment in the industry, butting heads with BMW’s 3 Series and Jaguar’s XE. First impressions are strong, with the Giulia sporting a long hood, short deck profile that can only come from a rear wheel drive architecture. A long wheelbase helps ensure an even 50/50 weight balance and carries a profile sporting the trademark Trefoil nose, voluptuous lines and narrow, angular tail-lights that give a distinctive look. The drive layout and weight balance hark back to the Giulia’s spiritual forefather, the 75/Milano, which was the high point of dynamics before Alfa went to the dark side with nose heavy, front wheel drive cars.
Happenings

Statement Of Intent

IN Alfa, Alfa Romeo, Giulia, Sedan, Sports, V6, Turbo, Cloverleaf, Quadrifoglio, QV

Set to compete in today’s well-established realm of luxury sport sedans, the Giulia melds Alfa Romeo’s rich heritage with modern engineering, marking a return to form.


From these photos, courtesy of civicx.com, you could see how Honda has taken an all-new approach towards their exterior design. Undeniably, it looks upmarket thanks to the svelte sports back approach ala Audi A5 Sportback and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. It's still too early to say whether Asia's market will get this body shell, but we're keeping our fingers crossed.
Happenings

Honda's 2016 Civic Caught Undisguised

IN Honda, Civic, Honda Civic, 2016, 2016 Civic, 2016 Honda Civic, Civicx.com

Next generation Civic shows Honda's designers have taken a braver design approach, a stark jump away from its predecessor


We begin with the most important part of the car: Uprated power. The turbocharged 2.0-litre direct-injection engine in the anniversary model delivers an output of 261 hp (+47 hp from the 'regular' version) and will come with an over-boost function (!!!) that increases power up to 286 hp simply by kicking down the accelerator.
Happenings

New Golf GTI Clubsport!

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

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Golf GTI, VW presents a special edition Golf GTI Clubsport; production version will make an appearance at IAA Frankfurt


On the inside, the biggest change is the new part-leather, part-suede seats that should help grip you better when cornering. Furthermore the seats, together with the steering wheel and gearlever, also feature contrasting silver stitching, while chrome trim on the dashboard and doors help liven up the otherwise black interior.
Happenings

Swiftly Does It

IN Suzuki, Swift, Champion Motors, Singapore

Local Suzuki dealer Champion Motors announces Special Edition of its most popular hatchback.


New

Refresh button | Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI

IN Audi Singapore, Premium Automobiles, Audi, Q3, Q7, SUV, SIngapore

Audi has freshened up their Q3, and we’re happy to say that it continues to deliver a splendid all-rounded drive experience.


Noticeably from the third tankful onwards, the engine needed less effort to move off and I could shift up at 3,500 rpm instead — even with two additional passengers. On top of that while cruising along the expressway, the engine seem less coarse than before. As a whole, it definitely feels more effortless to drive now — something I highly appreciate, as this daily driver of mine is somewhat providing additional comfort to make driving a less tedious affair. Caltex definitely delivered what was said on their label with this one.
The Pit

The Caltex Techron — Burnpavement Reader Survey

IN Caltex, Chevron, Caltex petrols, Caltex Singapore, Techron, Techron fuels

We share our honest findings after several tanks full of Caltex Platinum 98 with Techron.


This year, Volvo expects to sell 750 Polestar versions of the V60 wagon and S60 sedan globally. Polestar sales are forecast to increase, between 1,000 and 1,500 cars a year, in the medium term under Volvo’s ownership. The Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar feature a 350 horse power T6 engine, making the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds, and an extensively developed chassis. The car demonstrates Volvo’s and Polestar’s engineering philosophy of delivering an engaging, precise and confident driving experience.
Happenings

Polestar Now 100% Volvo's

IN Volvo, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Volvo Polestar, V60 Polestar, S60 Polestar

Volvo Cars has acquired 100 percent of Polestar, the Swedish high performance car company, including the Polestar brand; Polestar will now be used as the model name for special high performance Volvo


The production-based, 330 bhp concept car is assembled in accordance with TCR Regulations and is intended to allow Volkswagen to evaluate a possible customer racing programme as of the 2016 season. In order to accelerate the development process, the new Golf will be tested under competitive conditions in the TCR between now and the end of the season.
Motorsports

TCR-prepped Golf wins at its debut race.

IN Singapore, Golf, TCR, Touringcar Racer International Series, Volkswagen, Pol Rosell

The race Golf we reported about last week made headlines by winning its debut race, claiming its first victory at the Touringcar Racer International Series (TCR) in Austria.


New

Swag-on | Peugeot 308 SW 1.2 Allure

IN Peugeot, Pug, 308, 308 SW, 2015 Peugeot 308 SW, Wagon, Estate, Petrol, 308 Allure, What The Pug Say, 1.2 Turbo, Turbocharged

For those who need slightly more space and versatility over a hatchback or sedan, Peugeot’s solution here is worth a closer attention


Which is why Rolls-Royce conducts their very own driver training programme. This exclusive three-days programme teaches chauffeurs - usually sent by their employer - everything they need to know about the Rolls-Royce brand and history, followed by practical know-hows. Rolls-Royce’s ‘White Glove Programme’ initiative was first introduced in 2013; it teaches chauffeurs driving etiquette and best handling practices to deliver the brand’s exclusive ‘magic carpet ride’ to their employers, who obviously want the best comfort on the road their money could buy.
Happenings

BP Exclusive - The Rolls-Royce White Glove Programme

IN Rolls-Royce, RR, Ghost Series II, Rolls-Royce White Glove Programme, White Glove, Chauffeur, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, BMW Asia

The Rolls-Royce chauffeurs are of a different breed — we went through a crash course to learn all about it


And for some — myself included — that simply, well, sucks; because along with the evolution, the cost of buying and maintaining one (servicing, petrol, road tax and insurance) has become expensive. A classic example is a fellow scribe who, having jumped from a humble Suzuki Ignis Sport - when his COE ended - to a Mark VI Golf GTI, ‘fainted and had to be revived with Axe oil rubbed into my nose’ (his exact words) the first time he pumped a full tank of petrol; the same thing happened when he did its second and third refuel. I’m equally sure most of you, who went through a similar jump, could associate with the similar scenario.My point is this: hot-hatches have grown in more ways than one.
New

Flashback | Renault Clio R.S Sport

IN Renault, Clio, RenaultSport, R.S, Clio R.S, Sport, Wearnes Automotive

So the French is at it again giving us a playful little hatchback; but isn’t overly loud this time around


The steering feels much weightier, with feedback adequately delivered from the front two tyres. But like any other cars, there are some issues still — the steering has this strange habit of artificially correcting itself and on top of that, torque steer is present. The latter something you do not expect from a car in this class. Brakes have been given the much needed improvement — the previous model has this weird habit of lacking feel when worked hard, but with this new one, it provides more assuring bite which is useful at slowing down the car.
New

Silent Hero | Ford Mondeo Titanium

IN Ford, Mondeo, Titanium, GTDI, Ford Mondeo Titanium, 2015 Ford Mondeo, Regent Motors

No, this is not a new sedan by Aston Martin — instead, it is Ford’s newest Mondeo


The 2016 Camaro coupe retains the overall shape of the 1960s cars, but loses some of the hard edges of the current version. The slightly reduced size and broader use of aluminium make it more than 90 kgs lighter than the current car, which General Motors promise will result in more nimble, responsive handling.
Happenings

New Camaro Debuts, Now 90 Kilos Lighter

IN Chevrolet, Camaro, Chevrolet Camaro, LT, SS, Chevy, 2016 Camaro, 2016

A 4-cylinder turbocharged power plant also introduced for a more global appeal


And so the Porsche Boxster GTS is one wholesome Boxster with an ebullient driving character. It is properly sticky and responsive, and delivers all the right notes; as you can see, there’s nothing to fault and Porsche deserves a round of applause for this.
New

Alter Ego | Porsche Boxster GTS

IN Porsche, Boxster, GTS, Porsche Boxster GTS, Posh, Porsche Centre Singapore, Stuttgart, Stuttgart Auto

Until any sort of news on a GT4 Boxster pops up, petrolheads with an immense love of topless driving will have to be contented with the GTS; and that’s not a bad thing either



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