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The Golf gained a total of 504 points, the highest ever for an import model. It also scored 131 points more than the second-placed car. At the award ceremony, Shigeru Shoji, the President of Volkswagen Group Japan, commented: “We are very much pleased that the Golf becomes the first import car which gained the grand prize in 34 years of Japan Car of the Year history. This honour has been awarded to all the people who supported Volkswagen in Japan over the past 60 years.” Among numerous other awards, the new Golf has also won the Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, and Golden Steering Wheel titles this year.
Happenings

The Golf Captures The Japan Car Of The Year Award

IN Volkswagen, Golf, Japan Car Of The Year

For a country that prides itself on manufacturing some of the world's best cars, the German made Golf has made history by being the first non-Japanese car to win this award.


The announcement of Loeb’s participation adds to the fevered anticipation building ahead of the Macau race, which sees the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia return to the Guia Circuit as part of the celebration of the 60th running of the Grand Prix. Loeb may be new to Macau’s 6.2km Guia street track, but he does have experience of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup both as a driver and a team boss in the Porsche Carrera Cup France, and on a city circuit. In 2012, he won the two Porsche Carrera Cup France rounds held around the streets of Pau. Earlier this year, Loeb made his debut at the pinnacle of Porsche one-make racing — the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, contesting both the Spanish and Monaco rounds. Having conquered the world of international rallying, Loeb has turned his remarkable talent to circuit racing. When he arrives in Asia, he will be met by a Porsche Carrera Cup Asia brimming with both experience professionals and young talent, several of whom have previous experience at Macau. All eyes will be on the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia this November to see whether the world’s most successful rally driver can beat his formidable rivals and conquer the Guia Circuit to take a coveted Macau victory.
Motorsports

Sébastien Loeb Confirmed For Macau Grand Prix Invitational

IN Porsche, Carrera, 911, PCCA, GT3 Cup Car

Porsche China has announced that nine-time FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb will make his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia debut at the end-of-season invitational at the Macau Grand Prix.


BP: Hi Mr Winkelmann, first and foremost could you tell us more about Lamborghini's motorsports initiatives and how it could benefit the company's branding and customer relations efforts? SW: In terms of motorsports, Lamborghini has moved beyond just having driving experiences on the race tracks. We have recently initiated a double pronged approach worldwide, with two different levels. One of them is known as the Esperienza, which quite simply translates into an experience. This is for our prospects - potential customers and fans that dream of owning their very own Lamborghini one day, and through the Esperienza, their dreams of driving one is instantly fulfilled. The Esperienza allows them to experience the brand and the cars, and to understand how easy it is to drive these cars. The other one is the Lamborghini Academy, which is a customer program that allows us to impart a slew of driving skills that range from safety driving to discovering a potential race car driver to participate in the Super Trofeo series, which is a one make race for gentleman drivers. Through these two initiatives, the prospects and customers learn much more about the cars and what they can do with it than by driving it themselves. These initiatives also create a family atmosphere for the existing Lamborghini owners, and help forge a bond between the company and its customers, thus enhancing the relationship. What we aim to do is tell customers and prospects that it is all about the emotion and the passion for the brand and the products when it comes to owning a Lamborghini. And as mentioned earlier, the Super Trofeo allows one to drive a Lamborghini race car on a F1 track while being watched by family, friends and other spectators, and this series is being held in three regions of Northern America, Europe and Asia. Last but not the least; we have our own GT3 initiative, which is a development of a race-ready Gallardo GT3 that will be driven by professional drivers to compete in FIA’s new GT3 category.
Happenings

In Conversation With Stephan Winkelmann

IN Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann, Super Trofeo

We recently had the privilege to sit down and have a chat with Stephan Winkelmann, president and chief executive officer of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. about Lamborghini at the Fuji Speedway.


Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, Bathurst, to give it its full name, is the home of motorsport in Australia. Located in New South Wales, it has a rich motorsport history - the first race held there was the 1938 Australian Grand Prix and it now hosts the Bathurst 12 Hour and the Bathurst 1000 races amongst others. The challenging circuit is 6.213 km long with surprisingly steep inclines, a twisty, narrow section across the top of the mountain which proves difficult to master even for the very best racing drivers, and very little run off area to allow for mistakes.
The Pit

Gran Turismo 6 To Feature Legendary Bathurst Circuit

IN Gran Turismo 6, GT6, Sony, Playstation

Australia's Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, Bathurst will appear in Gran Turismo for the first time.


Using Nokia's innovative collection technologies blended with a team of local experts with an intimate knowledge of local road networks and surrounding areas, the True II vehicle is a specially equipped vehicle used to collect and verify real time location data about buildings, street signs and roadways and then puts that information into HERE maps, which are used by Microsoft’s Bing, Windows Phone devices and cars throughout the world.
Happenings

HERE's True II Car

IN GPS, Mapping, Nokia, True II, Volkswagen

With Nokia's next-generation data collection vehicle called True II, high quality navigation maps can be built and kept fresh.


BP: Some people have said that the best racing drivers didn’t pass their driving tests on the first try - Jenson Button for example. How many attempts did you take to obtain your driver’s licence? Alain: I did the test when I was 18 years old, the normal age at the time, and passed on the first try. (chuckles) BP: What was your first car, and what’s your preference for your road cars you drive? Alain: I never liked driving sports cars. When you’re driving in Formula 1 you want something a little more comfortable. The first car I bought was an Opel Kadett GT/E, which was a rally car. Unfortunately, that was the only car I had an accident with. I was going quite slow to be honest, but it was on gravel, and my friend and I ended up going 30m down the (side of a) hill. I’d only had the car three weeks, so that was quite a bad experience! BP: I understand that your son is currently a test driver for Lotus. How is he going with that? With Kimi moving to Ferrari, might there be a spot for him next year? Alain: It is never impossible, because he has done a good job in the last two years, and spent a lot of time on the simulator. But being a development driver, he is very focused, and it is a different way of working and it is very good for the team. Being a race driver is going to be another different thing, with qualifying one lap or doing the start, (or) even if he races in endurance or other types of races. So it is two different things and I realised it and he knows it himself that it will be difficult for him to be chosen by the team but you never know. BP: All the best for that!
Motorsports

A Meeting With The Professor

IN Renault, Alain Prost, Prost, Wearnes,

Racing drivers live and breathe motorsports throughout their careers, but have you ever wondered what happens when they stop?


Albeit a tad simplistic in treatment whereby the storytelling gets pared down to the feature of a over indulgent spoilt brat with an overly aggressive approach to racing and a pedantic and extremely focused racer who might appear extremely standoffish; the 1970s rivalry between these two Formula 1 race car drivers is a story of two opposing forces driven by a passion for success. The only difference is the way they make their ascent to the peak. RUSH opens in cinemas on 26 September 2013.
The Pit

RUSH

IN RUSH, F1, Cathay, Racing, James Hunt, Niki Lauda

Set against the sexy, glamorous and spectacular golden age of Formula 1 racing, RUSH portrays the exhilarating true story of two of the greatest rivals the world has ever witnessed.


This milestone is a first in the Chinese market for the AMG Customer Sports brand and will provide a blueprint for future motorsport endeavours in the market. Erebus Motorsport’s series of firsts include having the first Gullwing delivered outside Europe, the first team one-two finish for AMG Customer Sports and added victory in the Bathurst 12 Hour to the 2013 Endurance Classics Grand Slam wins by the SLS AMG GT3 (Bathurst, the Dubai 24 Hour, the Nurburgring 24 Hour and the Spa 24 Hour - each with Bernd Schneider behind the wheel). The second Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3 will be driven by experienced AMG Customer Sports pilot, Lance David Arnold. The 27-year-old partnered Hakkinen in a Gullwing on his previous visit to Zhuhai in 2011. Erebus Motorsport will be aiming to add to the 100-plus victories by the AMG Customer Sports program since its inception in 2011. The two event program will see Erebus Motorsport enter the support race to the 60th Macau Grand Prix in November.
Motorsports

Mika Hakkinen Joins Erebus Motorsport For GT Asia Series

IN Mika Hakkinen, GT Asia, SLS AMG GT3

Two times Formula 1 World Champion, Mika Hakkinen will join Erebus Motorsport for the GT Asia Series when it visits the Zhuhai International Circuit in China this October 11-13.


With a ready-stock of USD$5million worth of tyres, they look set to be crowned one of the biggest players in the tyre-replacement market. A quick look at their portal revealed a simple and easy-to-navigate website. Some of the tyre brands we found include well-known names like Continental, Pirelli, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Yokohama, Toyo and Kumho. While newer brands like Westlake are also available.
Happenings

Is This New Tyre Portal Going To Rule The Market?

IN Tyrequeen, Tyrequeen.com, Tyres, Portal, Online, Wheels

A new tyre portal has been launched. With more than 20 different brands in stock, TyreQueen looks ready to supply a wide range of tyres to anyone who needs them.


The facelift for the XC60 really is just that — a slight refinement of its aesthetics while leaving the mechanicals untouched. Compared to the old model, most of the changes have been made to the front end: the headlamp cluster is now a single unit, the grille is wider and has been de-chromed, and DRLs have been installed. The entire body is also now shorn of all black plastic cladding, reflecting the fact that this car’s home is on the blacktop, not the rough stuff.
New

XCuses Not Needed | Volvo XC60 T5

IN Volvo, XC60, T5, Wearnes Automotive

A slight nip here, a little tuck there — Volvo’s just refreshed half its range and this is our first sampling of it.


Held from 16 — 19 September 2013, The Gillette ‘Great Face Race’ will take place at The Gillette F1 Grooming Pit Stop, The Plaza, VivoCity Level 1, from 10am — 10pm daily. Activities open to the public over the four days include a Real Racing 3 game zone featuring the specially-designed Gillette McLaren MP4-12C, where racer wannabes can do their practice rounds; a Gillette experience zone; and photo opportunities with a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 replica car on display.
The Pit

Vodafone Mclaren Mercedes Partners With Gillette For 2013 Season

IN F1, Gillette, Vodafone, McLaren, Mercedes

In April 2013, Gillette teamed up with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to herald a new era in an exciting brand partnership.


Setting the R apart from other Golfs are different bumpers front and rear, as well as a diffuser and quad chrome-tipped tailpipes. 18-inch ‘Cadiz’ wheels are standard, 19s an option, and the R gets a unique paint colour called Lapis Blue metallic. Inside, you get sports seats trimmed in alcantara or Nappa leather, stainless steel pedals and door sills, as well as a smattering of R badges throughout the interior, including on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Happenings

Rated R for Rapid

IN Volkwagen, Golf, R, VW, Hot hatch

Not long ago, the Golf R32/Golf R had its corner of the market to itself, its power and price elevating it above tamer hatches. But with new rivals from premium brands, is the Golf R still the daddy?


Vision Gran Turismo will include cars such as the BMW Vision Gran Turismo, an exclusive virtual concept derived from the BMW M genes. Volkswagen gave free rein to their designers to explore the future of the iconic Golf GTI with the Golf GTI Vision Gran Turismo. The Alfa Romeo 6C Biposto Vision Gran Turismo, created by the team responsible for the Alfa Romeo 4C, will celebrate an iconic model from the 1930’s. A bold glimpse into the future, the Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Gran Turismo unites sensual purity with classic Mercedes-Benz design elements. Nike makes an intriguing foray into automotive design, following the company’s collaboration with Polyphony Digital Inc. on the design of the revolutionary concept vehicle, Nike ONE for Gran Turismo 4.
The Pit

Vision Gran Turismo

IN Gran Turismo 6, GT6, Sony, Playstation

Celebrating 15 years of Gran Turismo, manufacturers, design houses and other brands will showcase special concept cars to feature exclusively in Gran Turismo 6.


With its official combined fuel consumption of 16.6 km/L, the Jetta Sport 1.4 TSI was a natural choice for the Shell FuelSave Challenge. Its 1.4 TSI Twincharger engine with 160 bhp and 240 Nm of torque blends dynamic performance with outstanding fuel efficiency.
Happenings

More fuel economy records for the Jetta and Shell

IN Shell, Volkswagen, FuelSave

The Volkswagen Jetta Sport 1.4 TSI proved its impressive efficiency in the real world last weekend, with a record 20.8 km/L achieved at the Shell FuelSave Challenge 2013.


To mark G-SHOCK’s milestone 30th anniversary in Singapore, this year’s ‘SHOCK THE WORLD 2013’ tour in Singapore was held at The Coliseum, Hard Rock Hotel, at the Resorts World Sentosa. In an exclusive collaboration between G-SHOCK and two of Singapore’s most talented designers, the event featured the unveiling of limited edition stylized G-SHOCK watches designed by local fashion designers.
The Pit

G-SHOCK Celebrates 30 Years Of Timepiece Innovation

IN Casio, G-Shock, 30th Anniversary

G-SHOCK marks milestone anniversary with a dance and music extravaganza and exclusive local designs that embodies its progressive design and ‘indestructible’ timepieces.


Seated beside the driving experts, participants were encouraged to test Jaguar’s high performance cars to their limits, while learning about safe performance driving including handling, braking and acceleration techniques, in closed simulated driving courses.
Happenings

‘Jaguar Live Experience' Introduces The All-New F-Type To Singapore

IN Jaguar, Driving experience, F-Type

Jaguar is hitting the track again and taking its latest addition in the Jaguar family, the all-new F-TYPE, for a spin.


Changes to the new Fluence are mostly cosmetic. The most obvious difference is the redesigned front end, proudly incorporating the Renault diamond front-and-centre, ala the new Clio. Expect future Renaults to also feature this new family face.
Happenings

Updated Renault Fluence Launched In Singapore

IN Renault, Fluence, Wearnes

Renault’s mid-sized sedan gets a refresh to keep it competitive in its segment.


With McLaren’s thirty years’ experience working with carbonfibre (first carbonfibre chassis in Formula One and first all carbon-bodied road car, the F1), it comes as no surprise that the P1 is entirely constructed from the black weave — right down to its central load-bearing structure, the MonoCage tub. And since carbonfibre is moulded, the body panels could be shaped in far more complex and extreme ways than if they were made of steel or aluminium. Indeed, it is a real treat to witness and examine the P1 in the flesh, where you can’t help but marvel at how sculpted the car looks. Pictures alone do not do it justice.
Happenings

McLaren P1 Makes Southeast Asian Debut

IN McLaren, P1, Wearnes, McLaren Automotive, Hypercar, F1

Singapore is the first stop for the P1 as it makes its way around the region


“With the latest development in car ownership, we understand that Singaporean drivers are seeking to maintain their cars for as long as possible. Bosch offers advanced competencies in diagnostics to improve the accuracy in identifying faults within a vehicle, thus enabling technicians to make more well-informed repair work,” said Neo Chee Cheong, Regional Director of Workshop Concepts for Bosch in Asia Pacific. “With Bosch Car Service capable of serving the vast majority of car makes and models, we are confident that motorists will appreciate the availability of quality automotive maintenance and repair solutions coupled with the accessibility of Caltex service stations.”
Happenings

First Bosch Car Service Workshop Now At Caltex East Coast Station

IN Caltex, Bosch, Service, Workshop, Station

Motorists in Singapore the first in Southeast Asia to experience Bosch’s Premium Car Services at Caltex


The Ghibli is smaller, shorter, lighter, more dynamic, less expensive and more economical than the flagship Quattroporte and provides a cornerstone in Maserati’s plans to build 50,000 cars a year by 2015.
Happenings

Maserati’s All-New Ghibli Unveiled

IN Maserati, Ghibli, Quattroporte

The all-new Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati’s history.



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