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When the Lotus Eletre first rocked up to the scene, it shocked motoring press worldwide. Controversial would be the word to describe the whole ordeal, mainly because ‘this’ is pretty much what the world thinks a Lotus shouldn’t be; a tech-laden lumbering electric SUV. Mind you, this was never pitched as a game-changer; it simply exists as the Lotus of SUVs. But, the badge only tells half of the story here. Despite the onslaught of virtual pitchforks and colourful comments, if you dig past the “hastily edited on template backgrounds” Colin Chapman quotes, there appears to be quite a bit of interest in Lotus heading in a new direction. But, have the lightweight sportscar folks managed to pull it off? Striking
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Lotus Eletre S Review - New Generation

IN Lotus, Eletre, S, Review, Burnpavement, Lotus Eletre

The Lotus Eletre is the brand’s first foray into the world of SUVs – Sacrilegious to the purists, but alluring to a new generation.


Ok, so it isn’t a full-fat M car like the M3 or M5, but rather a warmed-over M Performance model, like the M340i and M440i. Hence the double digit number in the M badge, and the demure bodywork. Still, with the ease with which electric drivetrains develop power, the i4 M50 is the brawniest model in the 3/4 Series range… For a very short while at least. One of its driving modes is called Sport Boost, which unlocks the car’s full 400kW/544hp and 795Nm of torque for up to 10 seconds at a time, a fair bit more than the M3 and M4 Competition’s 510hp and 650Nm. Otherwise, the i4 M50 normally puts out 350kW/476hp, and 730Nm.
Happenings

BMW i4 M50 launched in Singapore

IN BMW, I4, EV, BMW M

The first all-electric model from the company's performance sub-brand made its local debut at the BMW M Driving Experience


The SUV in question is the Škoda Kodiaq vRS. The latter suffix is the Czech carmaker’s performance sub-brand, not unlike BMW’s M division or Mercedes-AMG. Perhaps, Škoda parent company Volkswagen’s GTI range might be closer to the concept of vRS. Speaking of which, vRS apparently stands for “victory Rally Sport” and the other fun fact is that the vee in vRS is actually supposed to be silent! So it’s simply referred to as, ‘RS’. In fact, in Škoda’s official communications, the the v is omitted altogether. It seems that not only is the ‘v’ silent, it’s invisible, too.
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Bear market: Skoda Kodiaq vRS review

IN Skoda, Kodiaq, RS, VRS, SUV, Performance SUV

Skoda’s renown vRS performance line expands to its flagship SUV


The 3 will be the biggest hitter in the Polestar food chain for the foreseeable future. Where the 2 is a performance executive sedan aimed at the Tesla Model 3 and indirectly, the Audi A4/BMW 3 Series/Mercedes-Benz C-class segment, the 3 will be a large SUV about the size of a Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90. In terms of direct all-electric competitors, it goes up against the BMW iX, as well as the forthcoming EV version of the Range Rover Sport. No details yet on its figures, but it’ll have a dual motor drivetrain (one on each axle), and a battery pack good enough for 600km of range. In due time, it’ll be able to drive itself, introducing “autonomous highway piloting powered by the best-in-class LiDAR sensor from Luminar and centralized NVIDIA computing power”. Fancy.
Happenings

Polestar's third act is a luxury electric performance SUV.

IN Polestar, EV, SUV, Electric vehicle

Polestar unveils their new luxury electric performance SUV, due to go on sale in October 2022. We take a closer look at the Polestar 3 here.


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?


“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!


With the exception of genuine mud-pluggers like Land Rovers, Jeeps, the Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen or Suzuki Jimny, what can SUVs do that other car types can’t? Just need a personal or family runabout? An equivalent-sized saloon or hatchback will be cheaper and more economical. Regularly need to lug lots of cargo around? A wagon can swallow just as much stuff while being easier to load/unload (due to being lower), and being more economical as well. And what if you have an extended brood? Well, proper MPVs will always be more spacious and comfortable than even the largest of 7 or 8-seater SUVs. Add to all that the fact that physics ensures an SUV’s extra height and weight works against it in road manners, and it’s still a wonder how, for the first time last year, they became the best-selling type of new car in Singapore.
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Clawing its way to the top | Jaguar F-Pace 2.0 R-Dynamic

IN Jaguar, F-Pace, Jaguar F-Pace, Wearnes

Handsome looks, superb handling and an excellent new infotainment system make the facelifted Jaguar F-Pace one of the most desirable medium luxury SUVs around.


Carmakers have taken to christening their estate models with different names to stand out from each other. Audi, for example, uses Avant, while BMW calls it a Touring. Skoda terms theirs as a Combi, while its parent company Volkswagen refers to its variants as um, Variant.
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The Critical Thinker's Practical Choice | Skoda Octavia Combi

IN Skoda, Octavia, Combi, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia Combi, Skoda Centre Singapore

In a sea of SUVs, the seldom-seen station wagon smartly stands strong. And the Skoda Octavia Combi is one of the strongest there is.


A good starting point is the driving position. This is of course highly subjective as the driver’s size and body type makes a big difference. For this writer’s 1.8-metre frame at least, the front seats are perfectly supportive. More crucially perhaps is how the car’s most crucial touchpoints – the steering wheel, gear lever, as well as the pedals – fall readily to hand and feet. Like putting on a tailored jacket, the driver immediately feels comfortable, familiar, and ready to go. This imparts a sense of confidence to explore the limits of the car. The positioning of the steering wheel and gear lever is underscored by also being nicely weighted for feedback that feels sweet and positive.
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Sweet spot for entry performance | Suzuki Swift Sport Hybrid

IN Suzuki, Swift, Swift Sport, Suzuki Swift, Suzuki Swift Sport, ZC33, ZC33S, Champion Motors

The entry point for performance driving begins with this supermini. Does its mild hybrid drive hinder or enhance the experience?


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.


A trend that’s set to stay.
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BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport | A Tad Excessive

IN BMW, X3, XDrive30i, BMW X3, BMW X3 xDrive30i, M Sport, BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport, SUV, Sports Activity Vehicle, Performance Motors Ltd, BMW Asia, 2018

BMW’s well-loved X3 returns with even more muscle - but will local consumers bite, and let history repeat itself?


It was the same for every generation after that, peaking when the third-gen was introduced.
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Honda CR-V 1.5 Turbo | Could This Be It?

IN Honda, C-RV, 7-seater, VTEC, Turbo, VTEC Turbo, Honda C-RV 1.5 VTEC Turbo, Kah Motor, Honda Singapore, 2018

Honda’s highly-loved CR-V gets everything new to keep up with time, but it remains to be seen whether it could do as well as its previous versions


Here are the models that caught our attention:
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Rocket SUVs

IN Rocket, SUVs, Rocket SUVs, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Audi, Porsche, Velar R-Dynamic, GLC43 Coupe, SQ5, Macan Turbo Performance Package, 2017, 2018

We’ve been seeing powerful SUVs appear on our market — here are some that caught our attention and made us pray for instant fortune...


A little steep for most, I agree. But what if I tell you there’s an alternative that you could consider?
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Volkswagen Tiguan TSI R-Line | Hot-hatch On Stilts

IN Volkswagen, Tiguan, R-Line, VW, SUV, Volkswagen Tiguan TSI R-Line, 220 bhp, Volkswagen Centre SIngapore, 2017

What looks like an SUV but acts like a hot-hatch? This one…


Joining the Tucson, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport in a growing line-up of Hyundai SUVs, the company continues to widen customer choice in the segment with the Kona, reaffirming its promise to deliver SUVs that feature both progressive design and elevated interior refinement.
Happenings

Hyundai unveils the Kona compact urban SUV

IN Hyundai, Hyundai singapore, Kona, Hyundai kona, SUV, Compact SUV, Komoco, Komoco motors

The Kona is Hyundai’s latest vehicle in its expanding line-up of SUVs.


But let’s make no mistake about this - Jeeps are cool and the Wrangler sits on the throne of that coolness scale. But the Wrangler is definitely not the most luxurious thing on four wheels. The Grand Cherokee on the other hand, is a premium SUV that offers more luxury and comfort than it’s iconic sibling. Yet, it bears the badge and credentials of a Jeep, which make it a capable off-roader as well.
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Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit | King Of The Hill

IN Jeep, Grand Cherokee, Summit, Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, SUV, Luxury, Pentastar, Chrysler Jeep Automotive of Singapore, 2017

This is my first drive in a Jeep. After eight years of being a motoring journalist, I've finally gotten behind the wheel of an all-American off-roader and I am rather pleasantly surprised.


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French Accent | Renault Kadjar 1.5 DCI

IN Renault, Kadjar, 1.5, Diesel, Turbo, SUV, Wearnes Automotive

It's French yet it's not; the new Renault Kadjar is now a compelling choice for SUV buyers because it mixes a good drive with Japanese reliability


For now though, early adopters of the RX Turbo won’t be missing out on much, as they’ll still enjoy the same improvements and changes made to the rest of the car. First up is the exterior styling — the radical new look is more in line with the company’s new styling direction. From the oversized Spindle grille to the LED light clusters to the sharp origami-like creases in the sheet metal, the styling of the new RX screams aggression, with nary a curve to be found.
Happenings

4th generation Lexus RX makes Singaporean debut

IN Lexus, RX, SUV, Turbo, V6, Launch, Singapore, Borneo Motors

Latest version of the popular luxury crossover boasts enhanced comfort, sharper styling (literally) and a turbocharged engine.


Happenings

Attack of the Titans

IN Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, GLE, SUV, Coupe, AMG, Facelift

The Mercedes ML SUV has just been given a facelift and a new variant added, but don’t call it that. Instead, say hello to the GLE and GLE Coupé


In contrast, the interior is where the bulk of the revisions have been made. Like the refreshed CX-5 we tested recently, the clunky old radio and infotainment system has also been replaced with a new one called MZD Connect, which integrates music, Bluetooth and navigation capabilities onto a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen. This system is the same as found in the 2, 3 and CX-5, which means its various pros and cons are also present in the 6 — easy to use in general,with smart graphics, but with a very convoluted Navigation function. Check out our CX-5 review for more info.
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The 6-iest Of Them All | Mazda 6 2.5 Luxury

IN Mazda, 6, Family, Sedan, Saloon, Luxury, Eurokars, Singapore

Who ever said that family sedans had to be dreary, humdrum and bloated looking?



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