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Back in the 1960s, Toyota was looking to break the domination of Western luxury brands in the Japanese domestic chauffeur-driven car market. The Century was the result in 1967, and has been favoured by captains of industry in the Land of the Rising Sun ever since, powered initially by a V8, then a V12 for the second generation, and a hybrid V8 for the third generation. They were all sedans too. Enter the fourth generation Toyota Century in 2023. Code-named G70, this looks like Japan's answer to the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. However, it still embodies
Happenings

Toyota's Latest-Generation Century Is Now An SUV

IN Captains of industry, Century, Chauffeured, Hybrid, JDM, Latest generation, Toyota, Toyota Century

Higher-riding Century brings Japanese-style chauffeured luxury to captains of industry.


No, seriously, it's just easier to refer to the Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase Mulliner as the Bentayga EWB Mulliner. Bentley says that
Happenings

Bentley Bentayga EWB Mulliner Launched

IN Bentayga, Bentley, EWB, Extended Wheelbase, Launched, More luxury, More space, Mulliner

Bentayga EWB Mulliner brings more space and luxury to sir and ma'am.


BMW recently invited me to Buriram to attend the Asia Driving Challenge 2023. It was an action-packed day filled with non-stop automotive joy, being able to experience a myriad of BMW cars on and off track. However, one particular station stood out to me, so unorthodox that it was frankly genius. I’m of course referring to the Dirt Gymkhana station featuring the BMW iX.
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Road Tripping: BMW iX Buriram Dirt Gymkhana

IN Road Tripping, BMW, IX, Buriram, Dirt Gymkhana, Burnpavement

Plush luxury BMW iX EV meets rugged offroad terrain. Fun ensues.


And how have they done it? By achieving carbon-neutral manufacturing at its Gaydon and St Athan facilities. Aston Martin has continued to make progress in reducing its environmental impact, following business-wide initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from its manufacturing processes and wider supply chain.
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Aston Martin intensifies sustainability strategy, achieving carbon-neutral manufacturing

IN Aston Martin, Sustainability, Strategy, Carbon-neutral, Manufacturing

One year on from announcing its ambitious ‘Racing. Green.’ sustainability strategy, Aston Martin today takes another positive step to become a world-leading sustainable ultra-luxury business.


If you happen to have a cool million dollars lying around, BMW now has a solution to spend it all in one go. This is the BMW XM, and it’s a monstrous plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sport utility vehicle (SUV) that also comes with a monstrous price tag – S$1,003,888 to be exact. Thank god that price includes the certificate of entitlement (COE). Making a statement
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This is the all-new million-dollar BMW XM

IN BMW, XM, BMW XM, Launch, Singapore, Million Dollar

The BMW XM is not just an ordinary luxury SUV; it’s a statement piece.


Formula 1 is back after the winter break, and this season promises more action and close fights. Aston Martin, aside from their new signing with Fernando Alonso, will be showcasing its ultra-luxury SUV, the DBX707, as the official FIA Medical Car for Formula 1. The DBX707 is the no-compromise, fully loaded variant of the DBX, and has received significant engine, transmission, suspension, and brake upgrades. These upgrades make it the (at the time of writing) the most powerful SUV on the planet.
Happenings

Aston Martin unleashes the DBX707 For the Formula 1 2023 Season

IN Aston Martin, DBX707, Formula 1, 2023

Aston Martin DBX707, the world’s most powerful luxury SUV, is the new Official FIA Medical Car of Formula 1.


I will openly admit to being pretty nonchalant when the opportunity to share a test-drive of the EQE 350+ with Sheldon was presented. Having read and watched multiple reviews of the EQS, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to partake in an EQ-product review. You know that saying about how one should NOT judge a book by its sibling cover? Mmmm hmmm… The day arrived when Sheldon showed up at my driveway in the EQE 350+. I couldn’t help but pull a Jonathan-impersonation, with the first words out of my mouth being, “it looks like a fish. Good thing it’s not silver, or it’d be a silverfish!”, accompanied by an pseudo-evil creepy-leery smirk, the type that one would be highly tempted to slap 73 different kinds of stupid out of. Sheldon groaned. Then we proceeded to the photoshoot. The Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line is the tri-point star brand’s answer to mid-range luxury. Unique to Singapore’s market though, it pretty much sits on its own. The Tesla Model S, its natural albeit less-luxurious rival, is not available here, and its nearest price-competitor, the Audi e-tron GT is a lower-slung two-door coupe. So, by some weird twist of fate, the EQE 350+ kinda sorta finds itself going up against its big-brother EQS in Singapore. Die Außenseite There’s no mistaking it. The EQE 350+ is big. B-I-G-G. Its nearly 5-metre length takes up a normal parking spot lengthwise, and then some. Parked next to other sedans and wagons at an open carpark, its bright white roofline could clearly be seen from a distance, since it towers around 1.5-metres above ground level. The curvy and flowing lines of the bodywork further accentuate this perception of ‘bigness.’
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Electrified Luxury with the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+ AMG Line

IN Mercedes-Benz, EQE 350+, AMG Line

Janis Joplin would probably approve of the EQE 350+ with glee from Heaven above


Now with a new seventh-generation under its belt the new 7-Series, which debuted in Singapore earlier this week, fuses controversial styling with a hearty smorgasbord of tech gadgets to offer customers an elevated next-generation luxury experience. The model has taken design cues from other existing BMW luxury models, including the X7 and i7. According to the Bavarian automaker, this design language will continue to develop with future iterations, providing more distinction between these high-end models and other more “affordable” BMW models. Whether you love or hate the new design of the new BMW 7 Series, it is definitely an imposing design choice by the designers. Striking features include the new twin circular headlights, with a split design, and a gigantic BMW kidney grille, both signature BMW design elements. Adaptive LED Headlights come as standard, with BMW’s Selective Beam assistant and custom light effects when unlocking and locking the car. To give the lights a “shimmering” effect, individual LEDs are integrated with crystals from Swarovski, arranged in L-shapes. Like the front end, the rear also features slim LED light units.
Happenings

7th Generation BMW 7 Series Launched In Singapore

IN BMW, 7 Series, New, Luxury

The BMW 7-Series has always been the Bavarian marque’s flagship executive chariot.


It’s just been launched in Singapore, the third in the Mercedes-EQ portfolio of EV models, after the EQC and EQA SUVs. Two variants are available, the EQS450+ at S$527,888, and the AMG EQS53 at S$753,888, both with COE.
Happenings

The Mercedes-Benz EQS EV heralds a new kind of luxury in Singapore

The Mercedes EQS is the electric equivalent to the S-Class and pushes the EV game on to new heights


Jaguar Land Rover Singapore has just launched the new fifth-generation Range Rover in Singapore, with prices starting from S$765,999. That’s a pretty punchy figure (even for a brand new luxury car) until you realise that a top-spec model could easily cost you seven figures - but more on that later.
Happenings

The new Range Rover is the ultimate luxury SUV. Here's why.

IN Land Rover, Range Rover, Luxury, SUV, Luxury SUV

The latest version of the SUV that started it all is now on sale here, starting from S$765k.


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.


Today, Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have taken over as the car of choice and so unsurprisingly, the BMW X3 has become one the brand’s best-selling models. Although the 3 Series/4 Series are still the brand’s best-selling models in 2021 with 490,000 units sold, the X3/X4 range is closing in with 414,000 units finding homes last year.
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BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport

IN BMW, X3, XDrive30i, M Sport

Some timely updates and upgrades are set to keep one of the brand’s best-sellers at the top of its game.


Asian cars like the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, Lexus LM and Hyundai Staria have largely had this potentially lucrative sector of the market to themselves thus far, but now Audi wants in on the action too. Say hello to the Audi Urbansphere.
Happenings

The Audi Urbansphere is a self-driving luxury EV MPV for designed for Asia

IN Audi, Urbansphere, Concept car, EV, Autonomous car, MPV

Audi’s new “urban mobility concept” previews a future where cars become a “well-being sphere” for relaxation, leisure or productivity


Described as a British car that’s been “raised globally”, the Eletre was designed and engineered by several teams in the UK, Sweden and Germany, and will be the first Lotus built outside Britain - in a brand new factory in Wuhan, China. Don’t forget of course that Lotus is now owned by Geely, as is Volvo and its luxury EV offshoot Polestar.
Happenings

The Lotus Eletre is a 600hp, 2-tonne, all-electric inevitability.

IN Lotus, Eletre, EV, SUV

Lotus’s first ever five-door car is a Lamborghini/Aston Martin/Ferrari-rivalling hyper-SUV.


Darker Than Ever Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke programme is known for creating cars in all colours of the rainbow and more (ahem, Michael Fux), so why go for black?
Happenings

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost wafts into Singapore

IN Rolls-Royce, Ghost, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Black Badge, Rolls-Royce Black Badge, Eurokars Group

The dark side of the British luxury marque’s entry model comes purer and more technologically advanced.


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.


The Mercedes-EQ sub-brand aims to bring ‘intelligent electric mobility’ to consumers, merging typical Mercedes qualities with new-age electric tech. In time to come, the Mercedes-EQ range will offer eco-conscious drivers electrified alternatives to all mainstream Mercedes-Benz models.
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Adapted & Electrified | Mercedes-Benz EQC 400

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-EQ, EQC, Mercedes-Benz EQC, Mercedes-EQ EQC, Electric, Electric Vehicle, EV, Cycle & Carriage

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is the brand's first mass production EV, and brings with it a whole new sub-brand. What’s to be expected?


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?


For the longest time, the Volkswagen Golf has been the benchmark for hatchbacks, and if our impressive drive in the new Golf Mk8 was anything to go by, I’d say it still holds the crown, for now.
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Gloves off | BMW 1 Series 116i Luxury

Luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes have been criticised from time to time for ‘lowering’ their standards when making entry-level models. Is this one of them?


Of course, not everything was perfect over the last half-century. After the sublime near-perfection of the ’90s E39 generation came a couple of stumbles: the ’00s E60 with its maddeningly perplexing early iDrive system and controversial “Dame Edna” styling (though the passage of time has been kind to it), followed by the slightly bloated – aesthetically and dynamically – F10 from the early 2010s.
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Old Faithful | BMW 530i M Sport

IN BMW, BMW 5, BMW 5 Series, Performance Motors Limited

Want a large luxury sedan that can do it all? The cleverer and ostensibly greener facelifted BMW 5 Series takes some beating.



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