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.


However the Civic has also had its share of lows, most recently with progress stagnating after discontinuation of the ‘FD’ generation in 2011, as rivals came out with powerful turbocharged engines, more tech-toys and snazzier looks. For 2016 though, the Civic is all-new from the ground up and if looks are anything to go by, this is a proper revitalisation of the Civic with swept back LED headlights, a wider stance and a sleek fastback profile.
Happenings

Perennial Favourite

IN Honda, Civic, US, Sedan, Turbo, New

Now in its tenth generation, the Civic returns revised from the ground up to compete with a new generation of small family sedans


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.


On first glance BMW has got it nailed, the M2 resplendent with all the usual M car cues. The front bumper is buffed up and endowed with
Happenings

Baby M

IN BMW, M, Motorsports, M2, 2-series, Turbo

Based on BMW's 2-series coupe, the new M2 marks the entry point for BMW's thoroughbred, Motorsport division cars.


Concluding the dialogue, AC Sam said
Happenings

Singapore Ride Safe 2015 - A Dialogue With Traffic Police

IN Singapore Ride Safe 2015, Use Your RoadSense, Traffic Police, Singapore Police Force, 2015, Road Safety

With approximately 145,000 motorcyclists in Singapore, the Traffic Police wants to do more to reach out to this group of road users


The latest 'ND' generation MX-5 was launched in Singapore at Eurokars' new $28 million Mazda Flagship Centre at Ubi, which will be a one-stop shop for customers with sales, servicing and spare parts services.
Happenings

A Sports Car Named Desire

IN Mazda, MX-5, Sports, Roadster, ND, New, KODO

The world's most popular sports car, the Mazda MX-5, is back in its fourth generation, with a promise to return to the basic joys of motoring.


This practicality is a result of clever packaging. Without the need to contend with gearboxes or fuel tanks, the model X is blessed with more space than any of its gasoline rivals can muster, with seven seats and two luggage compartments which should be more than sufficient for family trips. The theme of practicality continues with rear
Happenings

Crowd Pleaser

IN Tesla, Model X, Electric, SUV, Tesla motors, Ludicrous

Tesla expands its lineup with an all-electric SUV that has Porsche-baiting performance and massive falcon-wing doors. Method to the madness? Let's see.


“These enthusiasts are taking great care in building their optimum specification,” said Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director. “We expected those first in the queue, many of whom are owners of previous RS models, to be exacting about their requirements, and so it has proved, with many opting for motorsport-style Recaro shell front seats, 19-inch black forged alloy wheels, luxury pack, electric tilt/side sunroof and Ford SYNC2 navigation and sound system.”
Happenings

1,500 Orders Already Received For Focus RS

IN Ford, Focus, RS, Focus RS, 2016 Ford Focus RS

Ford’s all-new Focus RS has raced up to 1,500 orders from UK buyers alone - all without a single test drive being taken


At an exclusive VIP event at The Fullerton Hotel, titled 'A Drive Back in Time', over 100 guests, including prominent faces from the worlds of television, radio and business, took a round trip ride in a fleet of Audi A6s straight through Singapore's Civic District circa 1965.
Happenings

Travel back to 1965 with Audi

IN Audi, Singapore, SG50, Celebration, Jubilee,

Time to break out the rose-tinted glasses and catch a glimpse of Singapore life 50 years ago, thanks to Audi Singapore.


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.


Happenings

The Traditionalist

IN Porsche, Singapore, Stuttgart Auto, Cayman, GT4, Launch, Eurokars

Here's one for the driving purists: Porsche's manual-only Cayman GT4 makes its local debut


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.


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.


However, pure electric vehicles present the challenge of range anxiety and abysmal charging times that have so far restricted them to short urban sprints. In this respect the mission E makes bold claims, with a 500 km maximum range and an ability to offer 400 kilometers in just a scant 15 minute charge. This comes courtesy of an innovative
Happenings

Electrifying Proposition

IN Porsche, MissionE, Electic, Green, Concept, Fraknkfurt, Motor show

With the Mission E Concept, Porsche previews new technology in their version of a futuristic, all-electric Sports Saloon.


Happenings

Tail Of The Dragon

IN McLaren, 675LT, Long Tail, V8, Turbo, Launch, UK

The crowning glory of McLaren's Super Series range, the 675LT, makes its local debut during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend


The launch was a rousing affair, thanks to the presence of Toro Rosso Formula One driver Max Verstappen, who was on hand not only to unveil the car, but also race against the finalists from a Red Bull F1 racing simulator competition, as well as greet and sign autographs for dozens of racing fans.
Happenings

Little French Cutie

IN Renault, Clio, Torro Rosso, F1, Hatchback, French, France, Launch, Diesel, Turbodiesel

Better late than never, the latest Renault Clio finally makes its local debut, at a launch event in conjunction with the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team.


Starting from the structure, engineers have developed this convertible to be as rigid as last year’s Coupe. A newly-developed rear wall structure consisting of a magnesium piece sandwiched by aluminium sections work with numerous underbody reinforcements to strengthen the chassis, while an aluminium rear floor section helps to trim some weight. These parts help raise the amount of lightweight metals in the car to over 50% and ensure the car retains a feeling of solidity one would expect from a flagship Mercedes.
Happenings

Topless Decadence

IN Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz, S-class, Cabriolet, S500, S63, AMG, Germany, Frankfurt, IAA, Motor show

After 44 years, Mercedes will once again offer a full-size cabriolet to its well-heeled clientele. How serious an effort is it? Let's find out.


Although shaded in terms of drama by the theatrics of the folding roof, the heart of the Huracan Spyder is still a highlight. The naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 is carried over unchanged from the Coupe, producing 610hp and 560Nm of torque. Although top speed is still the same at 324km/h, the extra weight brought on by the need to stiffen the chassis drops the 0-100km/h time from 3.2 to 3.4 seconds. Not exactly what you'd call a slouch, mind.
Happenings

Topless Bull

IN Lamborghini, Huracan, Spyder, Roadster, V10, Supercar, Italy, Frankfurt

The Gallardo Spyder was the most successful convertible in Lamborghini's history, so they'd be a fool not to do a follow-up with a successor…


Similar changes have been made to the car as compared with the original — the windscreen has been replaced with a minimalist carbonfibre 'aero' screen, the nose cone, front cycle wings and rear wings are made of carbonfibre, and the body is finished as standard in bare aluminium; the omission of paint alone saves six kilograms.
Happenings

Bare Bones

IN Caterham, Seven, 7, Superlight, Track, Anniversary, Edition, Special, UK

Caterham are known to make some of the most fearsome road legal cars around — even beating a Bugatti Veyron around the Top Gear track! And they all owe their lineage to one model: the Superlight


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



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