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Wireless software updates have become a top priority for automakers as customers have gotten used to downloading them on their smartphones. Ford seek to follow the example of Tesla Motors, which makes heavy use of over-the-air software updates to activate new features on its cars.

Happenings

Ford And Microsoft Partners Up

IN Ford, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft Corporation, Wireless, Software

Ford Motor Company, with plans to beam down wireless software updates to its next generation of cars, has assigned Microsoft for the task

$The car retains its original paper stickers on the alloy wheels as well as its first tax disc and original key fob. So well preserved is the car, even a complimentary service voucher from the original dealer that was never redeemed is included. A high spec model, the Mini also has rare features such as an electric sunroof. CCA\'s Auction Manager Joe Watts said, “We are delighted to be selling this last of the line Mini in our first ever sale. This rare find is in amazing, untouched condition and is surely an exciting prospect for all Mini collectors out there.”$

Happenings

Rare Mini Up For Auction

IN Mini, Cooper, Rover, Rover Mini Cooper, CCA, Silverstone, Longbridge

A brand new classic car auction house, CCA, will be auctioning a very special, last of the line Rover Mini Cooper at Silverstone circuit on March 3rd

Happenings

Porsche's Highly Successful SUV Arrives Refreshed

IN Porsche, Cayenne, 2015 Cayenne, 2015, Stuttgart Auto

Key highlights, according to Porsche, includes better fuel efficiency than before, along with impressive driving comfort and greater agility

New

Bag Of Surprise | BMW 435i Gran Coupe M-Sport

IN BMW, 4 Series, 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 er, 435i, Beemer, BMW Asia, Performance Motors Limited

BMW is filling every possible segment they could - this Gran Coupe is really worth a closer look

The new Porsche 919 Hybrid is a comprehensive evolution of last season’s successful car, which marked the return of Porsche to the top class of the WEC in 2014. It features the same innovative drivetrain concept consisting of a 2-litre V4 turbocharged petrol engine, supplemented by an electric motor powering the front wheels, and two energy recovery systems.

Motorsports

Track Debut For 2015 919 Hybrid

IN Porsche, 919, Hybrid, 919 Hybrid, Le Mans, Yas Marina Circuit

Extensive testing with the second generation Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans prototype begun yesterday at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit.

Ok, let’s move on. The NX 300h looks rather radical compared to its peers in the segment though. There are bold lines, stunning creases, stylish head and rear lights; a lot of work went into designing the exterior itself. That front face with the highly detailed bumper finished with a one-piece spindle grille, looks ready to swallow anything in its way. The only downside are those wheels that still look undersized and out of place on the car. Oh, those are 18-inch mind you.

New

Silent Night | Lexus NX 300h

IN Lexus, NX, 300h, Hybrid, Lexus NX300h, Borneo Motors

Lexus enters the German-dominated segment with its fresh offering, but beneath all that fancy sheetmetal, is there any real substance?

And for the lucky ones who are fortunate enough to be able to afford one, they would surely attest to the car’s reliability; this is on top of just how lovely this German coupe is to drive, be it on a wide and open stretch or tight, twisty roads. Due to those traits, the 911 had also been awarded countless of times.Even for yours truly here, the Porsche 911 is a dream car for him. In fact, being able to experience the 996 and 991 generation 911 models before this was a great privilege; so much so, the day to strike it big at the local lottery is being highly anticipated.

Happenings

The Porsche 911 Experience

IN Porsche, 911, 991, GT3, Turbo, Turbo S, 911 GT3, 911 Turbo S, Carrera, Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Porsche Centre Singapore

We drove some of Porsche’s finest around the Sepang International Circuit, after months of admiring it from photos

What I’m talking about, of course is kart racing. Not just any old kart race mind you, but one of the first races to be held at the new KF1 Karting Circuit. Yup, 72 crazy sods, including yours truly, had an opportunity to race on the new track a whole week before its grand opening! Call us pioneers, testers, guinea pigs, whatever; what better way to break in a new track than through the crucible of motorsport?

Motorsports

The Karting Edge | Racing the KF1 Kart Circuit

IN Karting, KF1, Racing, Competition

We all know you’re supposed to be gentle on a new car for its running-in period. But what about a new racetrack? Let Burnpavement be your guide to the KF1 Karting Circuit! (With onboard video below)

The car has now covered just less than 6,000 miles (9,656 km) and is supported by MoT (UK's Ministry of Transport) certificates dating back to 2002. ‘JAZ 220’ has recently had expert work completed by probably the UK’s leading authority on XJ220s, renowned specialists Don Law Racing of Staffordshire. This car has had little use over recent years, which is clear to see from its amazing condition.

Happenings

A Very Special XJ220 Up For Auction

IN Jaguar, XJ, XJ220, Jag, Jaguar XJ220, 220, Supercar, Silverstone Auctions

A very special 1994 Jaguar XJ220 will be offered in Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on the 15th of November

Audi believes that piloted driving is one of the most important development fields - the first successful developments were achieved ten years ago. The latest test runs at the physical limit are providing the Audi engineers with insights for the development of automatic avoidance functions in critical driving situations, for example.

Happenings

RS 7 Completes A Lap… Without A Driver

IN Audi, RS 7, RS, Audi RS 7, Hockenheim, DTM, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters

At the DTM season finale, the Audi RS 7 piloted driving concept completed a lap on the Grand Prix track in Hockenheim at racing speed, without a driver.

Whatever. It’s their loss as they’re uninformed and clearly missing out on the good things that are on offer.

New

Reality Bites | Kia Cerato Koup GDI-T

IN Kia, Cerato, Koup, Kia Cerato Koup, GDI, GDI-T, Turbo, Turbocharged, Cycle & Carriage Kia

Kia’s concept of style without costing an arm and a leg is presented in the latest iteration of their Koup

The GFRP spring (left) next to a 'traditional' steel type Whereas a steel spring for an executive class model weighs nearly 2.7 kilograms, a GFRP spring with the same properties weighs approximately 1.6 kilograms. Together, the four GFRP springs reduce the weight by roughly 4.4 kilograms, half of which pertains to the unsprung mass, helping the suspension to react more quickly to changes in the road surface and to absorb imperfections more effectively.The core of the springs consists of long glass fibres twisted together and impregnated with epoxy resin. A machine wraps additional fibres around this core - which is only a few millimetres in diameter - at alternating angles of plus and minus 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis. These tension and compression plies mutually support one another to optimally absorb the stresses acting on the component.The GFRP springs can be precisely tuned to their respective task, and the material exhibits outstanding properties. It does not corrode, even after stone chipping, and is impervious to chemicals such as wheel cleaners. Last but not least, production requires far less energy than the production of steel springs.

Happenings

Newsflash: Audi's New Lightweight Springs

IN Audi, Vorsprung durch Technik, Lightweight springs, Glass fibre-reinforced polymer, GFRP

Audi is investing heavily in travelling lightly to boost efficiency with new polymer suspension springs

Recently, BMW Asia invited Burnpavement to sample the new MINIs first hand on a specially designed course: Zouk’s car park area. Knowing it was all loose gravel, I anticipated lots of slippin’ and sliding’ the entire day…

Happenings

The MINI Urban Trail

IN MINI, Cooper, Cooper S, Countryman, MINI Urban Trail, BMW Asia, Eurokars Habitat

MINI lets us have a go at the new generation Cooper and Cooper S — does it still possess the fun factor, or has it grown up into something else?

Outwardly, the ethos of the car harks back to the past: the handmade carbonfibre and aluminium body takes inspiration from the legendary D-Type racer of the ‘50s, while its name is a reference to the company’s seven overall Le Mans victories.

Happenings

Project: SPEED — Jaguar F-type Project 7

IN Jaguar, F-type, Project, 7, Speedster, Roadster, Goodwood, Special

Jaguar’s most powerful production car ever pays homage to the past, while dropping hints about the future.

Handling wise, the Golf R is pinpoint sharp and definitely feels one notch higher than the GTI. Thanks to the 4Motion four-wheel drive system, ever alert traction control and XDS cross differential lock, you can enter tight corners at speed and also flick the car into a turn without worrying about any understeer. In fact, you might even feel the rear about to throw itself into a drift but like magic, the car will just correct itself. That said, body-roll is still obvious; it’s not the sort that throws you off, but the type that adds more sensation into your drive. If you want something that is more focused on all out grip and controlled body movements, then you might want to look at Renault’s Megane RS instead…

New

Rock On | Volkswagen Golf R

IN Volkswagen, VW, Golf, Golf R, R, Veedub, Volkswagen Group Singapore

VW’s ultimate Golf returns — for all family men, there is still hope for non-boring motoring…

The only catch is this; it's not quite ready for sale. Clickdrive's creators have gone the way of sourcing for crowd funding to begin mass production. So if you're keen on having one, visit the link above to learn more and be a part of this pioneering technology now! Lookout for more updates on our Facebook page too, we'll keep you readers posted on the latest developments with Clickdrive!

The Pit

Forget The Smartphone. Here's To The Smartcar!

IN Clickdrive, Device, OBD, Technology, Smartphone, Apps

There's a new device in town and it promises to make your car smarter than it already is.

New

Porsche Panamera S

IN Porsche Panamera, S, Porsche, PDK, Porsche Services Singapore, Eurokars, V6

The midlife facelifted Porsche Panamera S gets a new engine, some nip and tuck, and comes out feeling just as awesome as before.

New

The Grand Solution | BMW M6 Gran Coupe

IN BMW, M6, Gran Coupe, M6 Gran Coupe, M, Munich Automobile, 6 Series

Panamera Turbo too mainstream for you, Sir? Then meet the other solution…

In fact, the car has been widely received, with quite a number of orders already placed for Mercedes-Benz's latest version of its flagship luxury limousine. Three variants will be made available namely the S400 HYBRID, S500 and S350 BlueTEC. All models boast class-leading efficiency and up to 20 percent lower fuel consumption than the outgoing model series, with the engines meeting the requirements of the Euro 6 emissions standard. In addition to this, the S400 HYBRID and S350 BlueTEC meet the strict criteria of efficiency class A.

Happenings

The All-New Mercedes-Benz S-Class

IN Mercedes-Benz, S-Class

With the three engineering priorities Intelligent Drive, Efficient Technology and Essence of Luxury, the new S-Class extends the boundaries of technology on many levels.

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?