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We start off with one of the cars most eagerly anticipated by the average enthusiast, something that mere mortals can actually afford - the new Honda Civic Type R. When the previous-generation FD and FN Civic Type Rs ended production in 2011 due to tightening emissions regulations, we weren't sure if we'd see another zingy, righ-revving Honda Type R again. Sadly, we won't. But luckily, instead of throwing in the towel, Honda has adapted with the times, and decided to turbocharge the Civic Type R, making it cleaner and meaner in the process. How much meaner exactly? Well, how does outputs of 306 bhp and 400 Nm @ 2500 rpm, a top speed of 270 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 5.7s and Nurburgring FWD record time of 7m 50.6s sound to you? Certainly puts the 'hot' in hot hatch for us!
Happenings

Highlights of the Geneva Motor Show 2015 (Part 1)

IN Geneva, Motor, Show, 2015, Geneva Motorshow,

Well, it's that time of the year again when major car companies pull out all the stops and bring their A-game to Switzerland for the Geneva Motor Show. This is our two-part special


Ok, so that was just a mild exaggeration. What wasn’t exaggerated, however, were that the order books were filled even before the car was officially launched. Heck, queries were made before the car arrived for LTA’s obligatory homologation (which apparently took sixty-eight years, seven months, three weeks and twenty-two days to complete).
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Flavourful Entrée | Porsche Macan

IN Porsche, Porsche Macan, Macan, Eurokars Group, Porsche Centre Singapore, Stuttgart Auto Pte Ltd

We’ve previously driven both the Macan S and Macan Turbo, now we see how the entry-level variant fares in this ever-burgeoning segment


Out on the expressway, the Cashcow is surprisingly refined to drive. Nissan’s engineers seemed to have put in lots of effort at keeping the cabin quiet and as vibration-free as possible; at expressway legal cruising speeds, sounds from the engine compartment are hardly audible, you don’t get any transmission shift shocks and wind noise can only be heard past 120 km/h. Very well played, Nissan.
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Bingo! | Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG-Turbo

IN Nissan, Qashqai, 1.2 DIG-Turbo, Qashqai 1.2 DIG-Turbo, Turbocharged, Turbo, Tan Chong Motor Sales

Nissan’s compact Qashqai, now with a small 1.2-litre engine, makes the biggest sense for Singaporean drivers


The new car features subtle but key differences to refine yet further the overall package. At the front, a new lower apron with larger air intakes and a horizontal bar combines with reshaped BMW kidney grilles and new headlamps that feature LED daytime driving lights as standard on all models. For the first time, full LED headlamps with low and main beam have been added to the options list, with Adaptive LED headlamps a further option. These follow the path of the road ahead, and also adapt their beam according to the type of road and conditions at any given moment. At the rear, new tail lamps with a familiar BMW ‘L’ shape design adopt striking LED technology.
Happenings

New 1 Series for 2015

IN BMW, 1 Series, 2015 1 Series, 1, 118i, 120i, M135i, 116d, 118d, 120d, 125d

BMW's successful hatchback receives a more stylish exterior and new engines


The circuit opens its doors to the public for the first time today (12th November). For more information, head to the KF1 website at www.kf1karting.com. In the meantime, stay tuned for an upcoming feature where we tell you what it’s like to race on the new track!
Motorsports

KF1 Karting Circuit opens for business!

IN Motorsports, Karting, Go-kart, Singapore circuit, Track

Brand new track in Kranji a major boost to Singapore’s flagging motorsports scene.


And then you start to look around. “Hmm… Still a Cooper”, you thought.
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This Could Be The One | Mini One

IN Mini, One, MINI One, 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

Mini’s entry-level model may sound diminutive, but how it performs is in no way small at all.


The name of the 625C refers to the power output of the highly efficient derivative of the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 powerplant — 625PS (616bhp). ‘C’ stands for ‘Club’, highlighting a more accessible and less extreme model in terms of character. However, the McLaren 625C enjoys a number of the technical advances already debuted on the McLaren 650S.With a power output of 616 bhp, enhancements have been made to driveability and efficiency with engine torque of 610 Nm. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes just 3.1 seconds, while 200 km/h is reached in 8.8 seconds for the Coupé. Despite the lower power of the 625C, maximum speed mirrors that of the 650S, at 333 km/h (329 km/h for Spider), and CO2 emissions remain the same, at 275 g/km.
Happenings

650S-based 625C For Asian Market

IN McLaren, 625C, McLaren 625C, 650S, McLaren 650S, McLaren Automotive

A new more refined and more accessible McLaren 625C created for the increasingly important Asian market; Coupe and Spider models available from launch


The BMW 2 Series Convertible will be available with a choice of four engines, including a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance variant, the M235i. Fuel economy improvements over the previous model average 18 per cent. The 2 Series Convertible also brings significant improvements in passenger space and access, acoustic comfort, style, dynamism and equipment, while the ConnectedDrive services for the first time include wireless updating of navigation data.
Happenings

Meet BMW's New 2 Series Convertible

IN BMW, 2 Series, BMW 2 Series Convertible, Convertible, 220i, 228i, M235i, 220d

You have to wait for the first half of 2015 to get one though; Sport, Luxury and M Sport trim levels will be made available to broaden appeal


The aluminium-intensive Jaguar XE is the first model developed from Jaguar Land Rover’s new modular vehicle architecture and Jaguar is aiming to set the standard for driving dynamics in the segment. The long wheelbase and low seating position enable perfect proportions and a streamlined, coupe-like profile.
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Jaguar XE Premiered In London

IN Jaguar, XE, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XE S, Wearnes Automotive

Wraps were finally off the 3 Series, A4 and C-Class competitor; 'exhilarating performance' and 'precise handling' are among Jaguar's promise


Fortunately, the list price of the Jetta Highline is not too lofty. At $126,300 with COE, it sounds like pretty good value to us, considering the fact that it is also one of the safest cars in its class with six airbags and Electronic Stabilisation Programme (ESP), contributing to its five-star rating by Euro NCAP. Want one? The Jetta Highline will be soaring into VW showrooms from the 6th of September 2014.
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Volkswagen Jetta Highline Soars In

IN Volkswagen, Jetta, Highline, DSG, TSI, ESP, VW

Volkswagen freshens up the Jetta with a 'higher' trim level.


The front bumper has been completely redesigned and features a larger air intake, additional air inlets ahead of the wheel arch and new LED daytime running lights. Other updates include the introduction of black headlamp bezels, special red Nismo trim at the base of the bumper, redesigned side sill and door mirror and special Nismo badging. The revised 370Z Nismo also features new 19-inch Rays alloy wheels finished in black and silver.
Happenings

Meet The 370Z Nismo...

IN Nissan, 370Z, Nismo, 370Z Nismo, Rays

New 370Z Nismo features a host of design and engineering updates, including improved refinement, seating and equipment levels


Well, that is on paper. Factor in the almost 2-tonne kerb weight and you should be able to realize why it takes 9.5 seconds to get from standstill to 100km/h. Realistically speaking though, the 508 RXH feels brisk when moving off traffic light junctions; it won’t do the job as rapid as an A4 Avant (2.0 TFSI quattro), but it is not as breathless as you would expect as well. I took the car up for a day-trip to Melaka, and I must say it does the job of chomping mileage at high speeds rather respectably — notably, while it seems flat higher up the power band, the sweet spot lies within the mid-range.
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Rubic’s Cube | Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid

IN Peugeot, 508, 508 RXH, Peugeot 508 RXH Hybrid, Pug, Diesel, Hybrid

Peugeot is aggressively introducing diesel-powered models, and to up the ante, they have a hybrid-diesel wagon available now — yay, or nay?


That said, the anchors are always up to the task but somehow there is that noticeable dive when you give the brake pedal a hard, hard stomp to avoid that idiot who just changed lanes without checking his blindspot.
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All Aboard | BMW 528i GT

IN BMW, GT, 5 Series GT, 528i, 528i GT, Beemer, Gran Turismo

The entry-level (take a deep breath) ‘5 Series on 7 Series platform’ hatchback has been in our market, quietly, for quite some time — do you know about it?


The transmission, although shifting smoothly, somewhat has the tendency to shift up earlier than expected even in Sport mode. Thankfully BMW made paddle-shifters a standard fixture here, which allows you to manually pick your own gears. While at that, the car is willing to stretch all the way to its 7,000 rpm redline; however, it does feel flat past 5,000 rpm.
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4 The Win | BMW 420i Coupe

IN BMW, 4 Series, 420i, Coupe, German, BMW 420i, Performance Motors, BMW Asia

If you must have a German coupe for whatever reasons it may be, BMW’s entry-level 4 Series is worth a close look


Paired to a six-speed auto transmission (no change here), it now whips out 151 bhp and 191 Nm of torque; despite now 15 bhp and 6 Nm down, the upside here is you get improved fuel consumption. According to Hyundai, it has a combined cycle of 8.4 litres/100 km (or 11.9 km/L) compared to the previous 11.4 litres/100 km (or 8.8 km/L). Oh, even the CO2 emission has dropped from 209 g/km to 200 g/km now; we can hear Green Peace giving a sigh of relief…
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Predictably Good | Hyundai Tucson GLS

IN Hyundai, Tucson, Fluidic Sculpture, Nu MPI, Komoco Motors, Hyundai Tucson

It obviously needs no introduction, but this revamped Tucson is surprisingly good


Armed with the previous generation 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel unit, the engine in the S350 might not be new, but it has been revised to produce more power, more torque, a lower CO2 figure and improved economy. Packing 258 bhp and a hefty 620 Nm of torque, the S350 will hit 100 km/h from standstill in 6.8 seconds, and peak at a limited 250 km/h top speed. Best of all, it behaves completely like a petrol car; it is quiet, smooth and completely rattle-free. The only way to tell that it is diesel is by driving it - because the car pulls like a train!
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Dawn Of A New Star | Mercedes-Benz S 350 L BlueTEC

IN Mercedes-Benz, S350, S Class, V6, Diesel

We drive the 'entry-level' Mercedes-Benz S-Class and find no signs of it's diesel-powered nature. Instead, this luxury saloon just oozes pure and creamy power!


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.


Let's take a look at this not-so-subtle Edition One-specced A45. With it's rear wing, side canards and matt black livery, this little car looks fast without even moving, if a little ostentatious. That said, without the Edition One add-ons, the A45 could pass off as a regular A-Class with a Sport kit. Only upon closer inspection, will you notice the
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A Star | Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

IN Mercedes-Benz, A45, A Class, Hatch-back, AMG

The A45 is Merc's entry-level AMG model. But there's nothing basic about this premium hot hatch at all.


The 1.8 TFSI aside, what we have here today is the ‘entry-level’ variant: the 1.4 TFSI. Yes it shares the same powerplant as the Golf, but somewhat this one feels - and I swear it isn’t psychological - smoother. And of course, this is a good thing (and expected), considering the almost $44,000 (equivalent to a five year old, highly-spec’d Fiat Bravo T-Jet, egad!) separating the two. Hmm… You can’t help but wonder whether that significant difference in price between the two is justified — after all, the Golf and this new A3 is, technically, the same car.
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Table Top | Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI

IN Audi, A3, Sportback, TFSI, 1.4, Audi A3, Premium Automobiles

The entry level A3 has so much going on for it; surprise, surprise, surprise...


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?



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