For car guys, we’re always looking for cars that are value-for-money. We want a car that has everything in one package; namely straight-line performance, handling, practicality, aesthetics and good build quality. If you could afford another car, you definitely could just throw practicality out the window and look for a, ahem, less exciting car for that particular duty.
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Seat Leon Cupra | Spanish Fly

IN Seat, Leon, Cupra, Seat Leon Cupra, Seat Leon, Hot-hatch, Seat Centre Singapore, Spanish, 2018

Seat's Leon Cupra is such a fun hot-hatch to drive; with dual characters, it doesn't compromise on practicality


But to me, this ‘middle-class’ fast SUV is already hot enough. For starters, it features a tuned B58 unit, a turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-six engine already found in the M240i. It’s an open rumour that the eventual king-of-the-hill X3 M (if it does go into production) will have an enhanced version of this power-plant.
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BMW X3 M40i | Middle-weight champ

The new performance SUV from Munich is a winner, and the past few days with the BMW X3 M40i were simply not enough


However since the Getz was phased out, Hyundai haven’t had a product that small car buyers can put into consideration. But now with the Kona - introduced at this year’s Singapore Motorshow — it looks like there is finally a credible Korean option for buyers looking at the compact car segment.
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Compact X-Over Feature 3 — Hyundai Kona GLS Turbo AWD

IN Hyundai, Kona, 1.6 GLS Turbo, Hyundai Kona 1.6 GLS Turbo, GDi Turbo, Turbocharged, Korean, Crossover, SUV, 2018

An undeniably quirky-looking crossover, the Kona has a lot in store


If you belong to such a group, then I would suggest you stop reading this; so long now, and goodbye. But if you’re open enough to see what this Spanish brand under the Volkswagen group could offer, well, read on.
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Compact X-Over Feature 2 — Seat Arona FR

IN Seat, Arona, FR, Seat Arona FR, 1.0, EcoTSI, Seat Arona FR 1.0 EcoTSI, Spain, Spanish, Seat Centre Singapore, 2018

Can Seat’s competitor in this challenging segment draw the crowd?


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Audi RS 5 Coupé | Clinical Coupé

The new RS 5 is longer, lighter and sexier than its predecessor. But it’s also two cylinders down - does it make the car less fun to drive? We find out


Realising they need a model to attract the younger and trendy set - thanks to Honda and Nissan who went ahead earlier with their HR-V and Qashqai respectively - which thinks the Vios is not exactly the cool set of wheels they would want to own, this is what Toyota came up with.
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Compact X-Over Feature 1 — Toyota C-HR Turbo

IN Toyota, C-HR, Toyota C-HR, C-HR Luxury Dual Tone, Crossover, X-over, SUV, Borneo Motors, Singapore, 2018

Toyota decided to go down the less boring route, and this is the result


Hence it is a lovely surprise to see a youthful model from Sweden appear here. In theory this is the product Volvo badly needed to reach out to the younger crowd, and at a time where the Germans are covering every segment they possibly could, the direction Volvo took is definitely the right one; although some might opine they’re a little late to the party.
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Volvo XC40 R-Design | Growing Young

IN Volvo, XC40, R-Design, Volvo XC40 R-Design, SUV, 2018, Wearnes Automotive

Volvo tries to capture the younger crowd with this one - but is there enough for its targeted audience?


Conceptualised as the Kia GT Concept back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the low and wide grand tourer with suicide doors got tongues wagging with its radical styling and rather un-Kia-like rear-wheel drive layout. 6 years on, the production car we have here today looks darn close to the concept with aggressive vents, sweeping roofline and wraparound taillights.
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Kia Stinger GT V6 | Pleasant Surprises

IN Kia, Stinger, Stinger GT, Kia Singapore

Kia sets its sights squarely on the Europeans with this 365 bhp, rear-wheel drive sports sedan


0-100 km/h comes in at a very decent 7-seconds, and this non-Quattro front-wheel drive coupé is more than able to handle the power whether you’re accelerating from the lights or through some twisty corners.
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Audi TT Coupe 1.8 TFSI | Red Riding Hoot

IN Audi, TT, Coupe, TT Coupe, Audi TT Coupe 1.8 TFSI, 1.8, TFSI, 1.8 TFSI, 2018, Audi Singapore

It was definitely a huge novelty when first introduced back in 1998, but the Audi TT has since matured and this third generation model is now quite a respectable sports car


But then again if you were to scan through our market, the other options would include the Mazda 2, Mitsubishi Space Star and Nissan Note; yes, it’s the Japanese that are still dominating our market in the sub-S$95k segment.
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Seat Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI | More Than Meets The Eye

IN Seat, Ibiza, Seat Ibiza, 1.0, EcoTSI, Seat Ibiza 1.0 EcoTSI Style Plus, Spain, Spanish, Seat Centre Singapore, 2018

Looking for a new set of wheels to run around town? Seat’s little hatchback here is worth a closer look


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


But if you’re the sort who wants to steer clear of the usual suspects and want something different, well, this Jaguar F-Type Coupe should be right up your alley.
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Jaguar F-Type Coupe 2.0 | Cat’s Out Of The Bag

IN Jaguar, F-Type, Coupe, Jaguar F-Type Coupe 2.0, Ingenium engine, ZF, Wearnes Automotive, Jaguar Land Rover Singapore, JLR

The new entry-level F-Type could pave your way into the world of British sports cars


Well, you get the idea as to where I’m going with this.
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Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo | Genre Buster

IN Porsche, Panamera, Sport Turismo, Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, Panamera 4, Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Stuttgart Auto,

Porsche’s new Panamera Sport Turismo puts the S in the word 'sport'; even behaving like a hot-hatch, than a tourer, when you want it to


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...


So today with us is its quietly introduced entry-level variant, the GLC 200. And since price is an important factor in helping you decide, it comes with a price tag of $228k with COE; nearest competitors, namely the X3 xDrive30i, Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro, XC 60 T5 and F-Pace 2.0 Prestige are priced at $259k, $239k, $230k and $251k — with COE — respectively. Sounds like a bargain Mercedes-Benz which, at this point, should tempt you.
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Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 | No Frills, Just Goodies

IN Mercedes-Benz, GLC 200, Mercedes-Benz SUV, SUV, GLC-Class, Mercedes-Benz GLC 200, Daimler, MB, Cycle & Carriage, 2017

If you’re looking for a mid-sized SUV, this German option could be a worthy proposition


You take a look at the LC 500 here — you’re just not sure. The front end made it look like a serpent and the grill seems a tad over the top. Its headlamps, along with the individual daytime running light and signal repeaters, all LED, seems too abstract. Flanking the car are several creases, paired to a broad shoulder that, potentially, puts Stallone to shame. The rear? Full of details that will not look out of place in a Transformer series, thanks largely to the slit-eyed tail lamps.
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Lexus LC 500 | Slowly, Love

IN Lexus, LC, LC 500, Lexus LC 500, Grand Tourer, V8, NA, NA V8, Cruiser, Borneo Motors, 2017

This V8-powered grand tourer epitomizes the brand’s know-hows in delivering a car that offers more than just the typical Lexus comfort - but it does take time to love


Quite recently, BMW went slightly aggressive. They’ve launched a range of plug-in hybrid variants for their popular 3 Series, 5 Series and even 2 Series.
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BMW 225XE iPerformance Active Tourer | Would You Like A Piece?

IN BMW, 2 Series, BMW 2 Series, 225xe, BMW 225xe iPerformance, IPerformance, BMW Active Tourer, 2 Series Active Tourer, Performance Motors, Beemer

A host of issues, in terms of infrastructure on our island, is still largely in limbo - so why would you still want a sub-$180k plug-in hybrid from BMW?


But that said let me begin by bringing forward one part of this 1.0-litre Golf that I definitely, well, do not find pleasant.
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Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI | Miniature Golf

IN Volkswagen, Golf, 1.0, TSI, Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI, Golf 1.0 TSI, 2018, VW, 3-cylinder, Turbocharged, Volkswagen Centre Singapore

The Golf now comes with a size ‘S’ engine — so is this the good news for drivers who are sensitive to engine capacity?


Set your eyes on the S5 and the same sleek lines from the A5 will put a smile on your face. A friend of ours is looking at purchasing an A5 and his words were “It was love at first sight”. The S5 though, has chunkier bumpers and larger side skirts with a matte black trimming than contrasts well with the white paint on our test car.
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Audi S5 Sportback TFSI | Gimme a 5

Yum, yum - the handsome and muscular new S5 is quick, practical and well deserving of a high five!



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