The test car that we have, happens to be the exact antithesis that the purists loathe. But just in case you're one of those touchy purists who is about to fly into a rage and smash your fist into your computer screen as you read this review, let me just tell you more about this car's saving grace. This pristine white E90 M3 is not just another one of those entry level M3s, but a car equipped with BMW's Competition Package option, which is a set of performance oriented enhancements to quench the enthusiast's yearning for the CSL to make its return. CSL by the way stands for Coupe, Sport, Lightweight, the very three alphabets that represent the purest driver and most track oriented cars BMW has to offer. And with the Competition Package, this E90 M3 is the closest one can get to a CSL, save the M3 GTS due to its price point in comparison.
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On Competing Terms | BMW M3 Competition Sedan

IN BMW, M3, V8, Competition, Sedan

With the BMW M3 Competition Package, this is possibly BMW's modern iteration of the CSL.


However, if there’s any comment to be made on the exterior of the new fifth generation Polo, it does come with some lineage pretensions, its silhouette resembling a Golf from afar. It sports the same chunky dimensions as its older sibling with the same staid looking roof line. Product differentiation wise, there are still some elements that separate the Polo from the Golf such as the rear lights and a sportier looking front bumper.
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That's A Mint Car! | Volkswagen Polo Sport

IN VW, Volkswagen, Polo, 1.2, TSI

A new engine offering petrol performance with diesel economy, does it even exist? Look no further than this sporty little Polo 1.2 TSI.


Build quality and design aside, how does the car fare in performance? Using the very same engine found in the 308 hatch back and SW, the 308CC’s 1.6-litre turbo charged engine paired with a responsive and smooth shifting slush box churns out 156 horses and 240 Nm worth of torque and performs ably, going from zero to 100 in 9.5 seconds, which is a reasonable time for its class. The car however should not be misconstrued as an all out performance car as it is more of a boulevard cruiser than a tarmac bruiser. In terms of handling, the 308CC feels like a relatively large sedan that needs to be eased around bends. The steering is a tad light weight but offers decent feedback which is perfect when driving at low speeds, but should you prod the accelerator hard, the drive becomes less confidence inspiring, which is why you should never thrown it round a corner. But on the daily get go, the 308CC does offers a pliant and comfortable ride, with its suspension taking the road irregularities well in its stride. Scuttle shake however is still existent, but that is just a typical trait found in convertibles.
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Gallic Sun Kiss | Peugeot 308CC

IN Peugeot, Coupe, Cabriolet, 308, CC

Pioneering the art of folding roofs since 1930s, Peugeot has never lost its desire to give drivers the liberté to drive in either the coupé or cabriolet configuration.


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Innocent By Association | BRABUS B20

IN BRABUS, Mercedes-Benz, B20, Singapore, Black, AutoVox, First Automobile Premium

The three-pointed star has always been a typical 'big boss' car. It is almost impossible to shake that image off, unless you're clearly too young to be one, but then you're likely to be "his son".


The 2.5-litre V6 unit is unchanged and pushes out a healthy 205bhp from its 24-valve Dual VVTi set-up. It is a quiet and smooth powerplant and dispatches the century sprint in a rather quick 8.4 seconds. Yet somehow, the car seems to lack the 'oomph' the figures suggest. It could be partly due to the overall (excellent) refinement that masks the speed.
New

Same But Better! | Lexus IS 250

IN Lexus, IS 250, Face-lift, V6

This is the newly restyled Lexus IS 250. Not much has changed you say? Well, you couldn't be more right, and wrong.


MELVIN: Essentially, it's a nice beefy car, great for cruising up to Gala events, but maybe not so to the construction sites. As an architect, the clean elegant lines, that are undeniably Audi, go down well with me.
New

Audi RS 5 Panel Of Professionals (P.O.P.) Session

IN Audi, Audi RS 5, RS, P.O.P.

Our panel of professionals (P.O.P.) strap themselves up in the passenger seat and get up close and personal with the Audi RS 5. Hear what they have to say about their experience with the car.


When it comes to cars (or anything for that matter), having a soul is fundamentally an emotional thing. So what better way to strike your admirer's heart than with some dashing good looks? On that note, the RS 5 scores. Having a wider track and beefier fenders to house those chunky 19
New

Soul Train | Audi RS 5

IN Audi, Audi RS 5, RS, Premium Automobiles, Coupé

Audi's new RS 5 is a sure-footed 450 bhp road-munching machine. But is it more than a well-built super-coupé? Or does it lack the X-factor. We drive it to find out.


In summary, apart from the limited storage space, relatively spartan interior and the hype that this car generates in public, the Tesla Roadster Sport with its exotic look and super car slaying acceleration is truly one amazing car to drive. And best of all, this car does not require any visit to the petrol station or service and maintenance associated with internal combustion engines (I.C.E), all one needs to do is just plug the car to any conventional electrical outlet when the ‘juice’ needs topping up, and he or she is good to go once the car is recharged. Plus you also get to do your part in saving the earth!
New

Together In Electric Dreams | Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5

IN Tesla, Roadster Sports, 2.5, Electric, EV, Green

The Tesla Roadster Sport literally smokes the competition in the zero to 100 stakes. Then again, I stand corrected - Electric Vehicles (EVs) have zero emissions after all…


In terms of performance, Volvo claims that the all-new S60 is the most dynamically gifted car they have made thus far, even more so in the range topping T6 variant. Equipped with a twin-scroll turbocharger, Volvo's 2,953cc inline-six churns out 304 bhp at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 440 Nm. Throw in a relatively quick shifting Geartronic automatic transmission (Volvo's version of a Tiptronic), the S60 T6 hurtles from zero to 100 in an impressive 6.5 seconds. In the handling department, the T6 comes with the Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (Four-C) offering Comfort, Sport and Advanced modes as standard. Couple the chassis enhancement to an all-wheel-drive drive train with torque-vectoring, the S60 T6 is one great car to drive round bends, with the car's nose responding neatly and directly to nicely-weighted steering inputs. In fact we had so much fun with it, we took the car down the same twisty route over and over again just to explore the car's dynamic potential.
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Hitting The Swede Spot | Volvo S60 T6

IN Volvo, S60, T6

Dubbed as the sportiest Volvo ever, the all-new Volvo S60 is Volvo's answer to a dynamic performance sedan.


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Pocketful Of Goodies | Volkswagen Golf 1.2 TSI

IN VW, Volkswagen, Golf, 1.2, TSI

Cheap road tax, zippy turbocharged engine and a robust build quality - with the Golf 1.2 TSI, you can have your cake and eat it!


S is for sporty and S is also for speed, so in order for the Sportback to be worthy of Audi's S badge, the car has to offer even more in order to attract potential buyers who want that extra more in performance. And that is exactly what the S5 Sportback has - a supercharged V6 for more power, Audi's S styling for sportier aestheticism as well as a sportier chassis set up for better handling. But more on the S5's engine first. As mentioned earlier, the S5 Sportback's three litre supercharged V6 is the exact same one sourced from the S4 and rightfully so for the S5 Sportback is essentially a S4 based vehicle if automotive taxonomy is anything to go by. With force induction, the S5's V6 churns out 333bhp worth of power, which is a huge difference as compared to the base 2.0 TFSI's 211bhp and 68bhp more than the 3.2 FSI model. As for torque, the S5 Sportback dishes out a whooping 440Nm as compared to the 3.2 FSI's 330Nm, how's that for sporty and speed?
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The Sportback Gets Sportier | Audi S5 Sportback

IN Audi, S5, Sportback, Singapore

With the S4's supercharged V6, the A5 Sportback is now a proud bearer of the Audi S badge.


From the onset, the Megane Renault Sport (RS for short) has the fresher looks. Being the newer model, it has that advantage. That said, Scirocco R's front bumper adds visual aggression and sets it well apart from its lesser siblings.
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Megane RS or Scirocco R? We decide. Sort of.

IN Wearnes Automotive, VGS, VW, Renault, Volkswagen, Scirocco R, Megane RS, Singapore

Two of the planet's hottest hatches met in an underground ring to exchange blows. We tell you who won.


Without the weight burden of a four-wheel drive train, a lower centre of gravity and a track wider than the Golf R’s, the Scirocco R handles corners with aplomb and speed, with only the slightest hint of torque steer on uneven road surfaces, this in my opinion is a trait displayed by well balanced high performance rides. Like the Golf R, the Scirocco R is also equipped with the standard chassis control system that allows a driver to adjust the damper, steering weight and throttle response in three different mode settings, as usual I had it in Sports on the test route we often patronise. In Sports mode, the Scirocco R handles ably with the suspension well modulated to tight corners and bumpy surfaces. Like the Golf R, speed retardation is also excellent, with the very same 345mm front and 310mm rear brakes working up a treat with great immediacy.
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Rated 'R' Superstar | Volkswagen Scirocco R

IN VW, Vee Dub, Volkswagen, Scirocco, R

Making it's way to the ring from Wolfsburg, Germany, weighing in at 1,364 kilograms, its the Rated R Superstar, 'The Roc' Scirocco!


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Hope Springs Eternal | Toyota Camry 2.4 Hybrid

IN Toyota, Camry, Hybrid

Will global warming change the seasons? Cliche as it may sound, its time to play our part and help heal the world.


0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds. Only available in a manual transmission though.
New

Really Something | Renault Megane RS

IN Renault, Megane, RS, Renault Sport, Turbo, 250, Yellow

It might have grown up a little, but the Megane RS is still a proper hooligan's car - and for once - looks pretty damn good too!


For its first ever entrant into the highly competitive mid-size segment, Suzuki has done a good job with the Kizashi, though it may not look as good as the original concept car. With its continental styling cues, amenities of sorts in relative abundance and a sporty driving experience, the Kizashi offers car buyers an alternative that is never off their tangent.
New

Never Off Tangent | Suzuki Kizashi

IN Suzuki, Kizashi, 2.4 VVT

The all-new Suzuki Kizashi holds the distinction of being the first ever mid-sized sedan manufactured by Suzuki.


On the move, the dimensions of the 5 Series felt as though it was shrunken, with the car's suspension and engine providing a confidence inspiring drive, belying it's size which is by far the biggest 5 Series ever in the model's history. Though the car looks visually more compact, the wheelbase in reality has been increased by more than three inches. Prodding the accelerator, the car surges forward with no hint of turbo lag. The throttle response impressively quick and sensitive with nary a hint of jerkiness and the car going from 0 to 100 in just 6.1 seconds.
New

Beem Me Up Scotty | BMW 535i

IN BMW, 5 Series, 535i

Though built as a classy grand tourer, the all-new BMW 535i pounds the tarmac like no other luxury sedan in its class.


Amongst the Laguna range of vehicles in the Renault stable, the Coupe is definitely the most stylish, as compared to its hatchback and sedan siblings. Though many (usually the automotive purists) may scoff at its attempt at being a pseudo Aston Martin, those in general would probably appreciate and fall in love with the car, which means a job well done for the designer. But has the designer done much then? There is a saying that goes along the lines of 'Less is more', and for the Laguna Coupe, Renault has managed to achieve that with its clean lines.
New

Sensible Seduction | Renault Laguna 2.0T

IN Renault, Laguna Coupe, 2.0 Turbo

An Aston Martin-esque front and seductive body lines make the Laguna Coupe a desirable and affordable car to own.


Insignia corners well on stock 18
New

Flash Forward | Opel Insignia 2.0 Turbo

IN Opel, Insignia, Auto Eurokars

The lightning bolt symbol on the Opel logo finally makes sense with this quick and potent executive sedan, aptly named the Insignia.


To sum it up, the general driving impression of the Koup is one of a lifestyle car that has been styled to look sporty, with mechanical paraphernalia that delivers an improved driving experience as compared to its sedan sibling. That being said, KIA is spot on in terming the Koup as a sporty car, rather than a sports car, and with a fairly competitive price and no real competition in the market at the moment, the Koup is the ideal car for those who are more concerned over aesthetics than outright performance.
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Koup De Grâceful | Kia Forte Koup 2.0 SX

IN KIA, Koup, Forte, Cerato, SX

Eschewing the rear two doors, KIA has turned their highly popular sedan into a sporty coupe.



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