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In the world where superlatives are easily thrown around, the 9-3 strangely sets out, because it feels like the guy/girl who lives next door. It is not show-off material like its rivals for instance, instead opting for an understated style that has matured nicely with a little bit of mid-life botox injection. Blending just about the right amount of elements to deserve the “sport” in its name and most importantly, it is living proof that being special doesn't mean having to be the best in class.
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Unbroken Progression | The Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0t

IN Saab, 9-3, Linear, 2.0t, Turbo

With Spyker announcing a new 9-3 in 2012, it's about time that we have a look at Saab's venerable sedan and see how far it has evolved.


Happenings

Volkswagen's New Passat Unveiled

IN VW, Passat, 1.8, TSI, V6, 4Motion

Volkswagen's third best selling car looks sharper after it's make-over.


Happenings

An Evening Of SAAB-stance

IN Saab, Burnpavement LIVE!, Event, Test drive

Burnpavement LIVE! presents, An Evening Of SAAB-stance. A test drive experience with a range of turbocharged Swede sensations. Open to Burnpavement LIVE! members only. Limited to 30 participants.


The Audi A3 concept is a four-seat notchback sedan. It measures 4.44 metres long and 1.84 metres wide, but just 1.39 metres high – proportions that underscore its dynamic character. The design represents the typical Audi language of sporty elegance. The single-frame grille is integrated into the front end, giving it a sculptured look. Its frame is made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), and the transversely mounted, three dimensional aluminum louvers create a visual effect that emphasises the showcar’s width. The headlights merge with the beveled upper corners of the single-frame, forming a transition that marks the starting point of the prominently accentuated lines of the engine hood. The headlights represent a new stage of evolution in LED technology, a groundbreaking innovation from Audi. They become broader as they extend outward, and a line underneath them makes them seem to float on air. Above the front spoiler is a full-length air intake, also made of CFRP, framed by a metal clasp. The spoiler features a splitter that raises the down force on the front wheels.
Happenings

Concentrated Technical Expertise - All In The Audi A3 Concept

IN Audi, A3, Concept, Geneva

At the Geneva Motor Show, Audi unveiled an attractive technical study – the A3 concept.


It stops very well too, the 18-inch rims hide 280mm disc brakes in the front and 262mm in the rear. They stop this charging car with finesse and the brake pedal feels great to stomp on too, providing a firm feel. While we weren't mad enough to make the stability controls kick in, this also boiled down to the good grip that the tyres provided.
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Brimming With Optimism | Kia Optima K5

IN Kia, Optima, K5

For those of us that still remember the bland old days of Kia, the last few years have seen it's rise right up to the top. Can the new Optima continue Kia's success?


On the move, the Passat CC as with its Sport moniker and 'coupe' identity performs admirably. The turbo charged two litre four pot pulls off readily with excellent throttle response and is virtually lag free, even more so in Sport mode. And when the accelerator was floored hard, the addictive sound of wheel spin was heard in tandem with the gruff sounding engine snarl in protest of the rev needle's ascent, further highlighting the car's sporty potential even though the car is meant to be a smooth and refined drive.
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Keeping Up With The Passats | Volkswagen Passat CC

IN Volkswagen, Passat, CC, VW

Can the adage of 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it" be refuted? In the case of the Passat, Volkswagen has certainly proved its point.


Happenings

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan/Estate

AMG's best-selling model gets a mid-life makeover with sharper looks, new sports transmission and a host of safety features to keep the over-enthusiastic driver in check.


Now let's begin with the exterior. Shy, retiring types who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground should look elsewhere, for what we have here is a soft-roader that is very big, very bold and very, very in your face. The X6M is deeply aggressive from the front, with its big air intakes and angry-looking headlamps. With those bumps on the bonnet, subtlety does not figure greatly in the overall design philosophy of this SUV. From the side, it looks rough and tumble and you can know that BMW's designers subdued themselves to not go overboard with the bodywork. Details are definitely well planned, with each and every crease functional in reducing drag at high speeds. You then get a set of 20-inch M alloys, wrapped in grippy-but-stiff Bridgestone Dueler HP Sport rubbers (275/40 R-20 front, 313/35 R-20 rear) to complete the package.
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To Infinity And Beyond...

IN BMW, X6, M

Who would be odd enough to come up with a performance SUV? Surprisingly, BMW - and here's their staggeringly out-of-this-world X6M.


Powered by a 227HP 3L engine that's mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, it manages to reach a top speed of 240km/h, yet return a good fuel consumption of 10.7km/l.
Happenings

Borneo Motors Launches The New Crown

IN Toyota, Crown, V6, 3L, Luxury

Borneo Motors recently announced the launch of the new Crown, the flagship model for Toyota's luxury line up.


It's odd that I should find myself worried about how you readers will take to that last sentence. We have come to a point in the motoring industry that performance car makers are doing away with manual gearboxes, and dual-clutch transmissions are everything - they're faster, easier to live with, and offer the best of both worlds. Which begs the question, which 'two worlds' are we talking about exactly? The world of expedient step-and-go driving? Maybe. The world of engaging and immense motoring fun? Not necessarily so.
Readers' Rides

Manic. Magical. Manual. | BMW M3 Coupé (M)

IN BMW, M3, V8, Coupé, Manual

A maniacally fast coupé that handles magically with the joys of a good ol' manual gearbox. There, my review of the BMW M3 is pretty much done.


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.


Sleek, sophisticated and unmistakably Saab, the new 9-5 combines stand-out looks with advanced technologies and brings a fresh alternative choice to the premium sedan segment. The clean, sculpted shape embraces the purity of Scandinavian design and its dramatic wraparound window graphic echoes Saab's aviation heritage. With frontal styling inspired by the award-winning Aero X concept car and a muscular, low-slung stance, the new 9-5 heralds the introduction of a bold, more expressive design language.
Happenings

Trans Eurokars Launches The New Saab 9-5 Sedan

IN Saab, 9-5, Aero, Vector

The new Saab 9-5's progressive Scandinavian design inspired by the Aero X concept and Saab heritage, marks a new era for Saab.


While the Cerato Forte and Forte Koup were equipped from Day One with the latest generation features to exceed the expectations of discerning drivers, Kia is going one better with the addition of even more equipment for all available versions. The wide stance and athletic lines of both models are tastefully enhanced with the addition of LED indicator repeaters on the wing mirrors. These not only improve the already dramatic looks of the Forte duo, but add to an already long list of safety features by better communicating the driver’s intention to change direction. The cockpit environment also receives new features in both cars. A new boot-type wrap adds a dash of class and style to the transmission lever, for starters. Drivers of the enhanced Forte duo will also be delighted to find a set of Bluetooth controls on the steering wheel, for seamless operation of compatible hands-free mobile phone headsets. These not only take Bluetooth integration to new levels, but are yet another important safety feature, ensuring that the driver’s hands never stray far from the steering wheel, where they belong.
Happenings

Forte Duo Stay Ahead Of The Rest

IN KIA, Cerato, Forte, Koup

Less than two years after transforming itself into a heavyweight player on the local motoring scene with the launch of the Cerato Forte, Kia is taking another leap forward.


The chassis of the new A6 combines sporty precision with supreme comfort, with links made of aluminium and a redesigned power steering that features a highly efficient electromechanical drive. The executive sedan will also have wheels ranging from 16 to 20 inches in diameter. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard with the new A6, and the front-wheel- drive models have the sporty ESP with electronic limited slip differential on board. For enhanced comfort, adaptive air suspension with controlled damping and dynamic steering will be available soon as options.
Happenings

The New Audi A6 Sedan

IN Audi, A6

Audi has redesigned its executive class model the Audi A6, and it is set to make its market debut in Singapore in the second half of 2011.


Since its launch in 1953, the annual iF product design award has been one of the world’s most important prizes for excellence in design. The award has its origins in the product show “Die gute Industrieform” (Good Industrial Design) initiated by the Hanover trade show and is now one of the world’s largest design competitions. For the iF product design award 2011, the organizers received 2,756 submissions from 43 countries for products registered in 16 categories. Kia Sportage and Kia Optima won in the category “Transportation Design.”
Happenings

iF Design awards go to Kia Sportage and Optima

IN Kia, Sportage, Optima

Latest additions to Kia’s line-up recognized for their design quality, workmanship, innovation, eco-friendliness, ergonomics and safety.


Since it was inaugurated in 1953, the iF Product Design Award has been a trademark distinction bestowed on exceptional design. As an internationally recognised “seal of approval”, the iF label honours outstanding design achievements and as such provides a platform for companies to submit their products for a professional assessment of their design quality by an international panel of experts. The 2011 award attracted a total of 2,756 products submitted by 1,121 participants from 43 countries, all vying for the prestigious prize. In the Transportation Design category, the BMW 5 Series Sedan and BMW 5 Series Touring managed to sway the judges. This means that both models have qualified for the contest to win the iF Gold Award, which selects the 50 “best of the best”. The design of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan skillfully translates the car’s attributes into an authentic formal language. The sheer presence and elegance of its design express the Sedan’s premium quality and outstanding ride comfort, while its sporty driving characteristics are reflected in dynamic bodywork lines and the overall evocation of a distinctly athletic car. The superlative aesthetics of the new BMW 5 Series Sedan are further borne out by its perfectly harmonious proportions and meticulously finished details.
Happenings

BMW 5 Series Wins 2011 iF Product Design Award

IN BMW, 5 Series, Sedan, Touring, M5

The new BMW 5 Series continues its success story with the coveted award from the International Forum Design.


Happenings

Pure Muscle! HSV Lands In Singapore!

IN HSV, Muscle, Singapore, Holden, Harvest Automobile, V8

You've seen them in all their aggressive glory in photos. You've read about their enormous torque and sonorous V8 soundtrack. Well they're finally here, and man, do they rock!


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.


The extraordinary performance figures elevate the BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 to the exalted position of the world’s most powerful and fastest luxury sedan. Acceleration times from 0 to 100 km/h of 3.9 seconds and of just 10.3 seconds to 200 km/h are as unmatched in this vehicle category as is the electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h.
Happenings

BRABUS SV12 R Biturbo 800 with "iBusiness"

IN Brabus, Mercedes-Benz, SLS, AMG, Singapore, Black, Autovox

In anticipation of the BRABUS showroom in Singapore, we're running a series of awesome black rides that have enough attitude to make even towkays wet their pants. The SV12 R Biturbo 800 is one of them


Classy and elegant, the Renault Fluence is Renault’s latest addition to the new Renault Family. The Renault Fluence 1.6A is designed with the aim to stand out as the most attractive sedan of its class. Beneath its elegant silhouette, lies an elegant interior, a long list of equipment and more passenger space than any in its class. With a length of 4.62 metres and its class-leading features, the Renault Fluence is positioned halfway between the C segment, for compact family cars, and the segment immediately above it.
Happenings

Renault Fluence Sneak Peek

IN Renault, Fluence

Renault F1 drivers recently unveiled a new potential volume seller at the Renault F1 media event at the Leng Kee Renault showroom last month.



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