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The WRX STI NBR 24H Challenge car, prepared by Subaru Technica International (STI) specifically for the gruelling endurance race, completed 143 laps (approximately 3,629 km) in 24 hours, 12 laps ahead of the second placed car in its class. The WRX STI NBR was entered once more in the SP3T class, for turbocharged engines up to 2,000cc, and completed the race ahead of key rivals from Audi, Ford and Seat.
Happenings

Subaru's Third Nurburgring 24-Hours Victory

IN Subaru, WRX, STI, Subaru Technica International, WRX STI NBR 24H

WRX STI finishes first in class; third class win for Subaru at gruelling 24-Hour race


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


Alpha Biofuels has signed a three-year agreement with The Westin Singapore to provide the upper upscale hotel with its exclusive Green Luxury biodiesel-powered limousine fleet, which consists of two Jaguar XJ sedans. What makes this project revolutionary is that the biodiesel will be obtained exclusively from recycling waste cooking oil generated by The Westin Singapore, thereby forming a self-sustaining 'waste-to-energy' loop. In addition, The Westin Singapore’s Green Luxury limousines represent the first luxury limousine fleet in Singapore to consist completely of biodiesel-powered vehicles.
Happenings

Cooking Oil As Fuel?!

IN Alpha Biofuels, Diesel, Wearnes, Jaguar

Alpha Biofuels joins forces with The Westin Singapore and Wearnes Automotive in breakthrough Green Luxury initiative.


In a short presentation to the local motoring journalists, Wing Commander Andy explained about the lead up towards being a land speed record holder, as well as his ambition to break his own record - a project which is currently in the works. The aim is to set a new record of 1,000mph (1,609km/h)in comparison to his current record of 1,227.99km/h which he set back in 15th October 1997 in the Thrust SSC.
Happenings

Bentley Visionary - Andy Green

IN Andy Green, Bentley, Visionary, Land Speed Record

Wing Commander Andy Green of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) recently made a return trip to Singapore as a guest of Bentley Singapore.


The first fruit borne of this effort is the little i3 electric city car. And we do mean little – at 3,999 mm in length, 1,775 mm in width and 1,578 mm in height, the i3 is 326 mm shorter, 10 mm wider and 158 mm taller than BMW’s smallest model, the 1-Series. Unlike most EVs, it’s light too. Thanks to an aluminium chassis, and the world’s first mass produced carbonfibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) monocoque body, the i3 weighs in at a relatively paltry 1,195 kg. This means that fewer batteries are required to provide propulsion for the car, which has the knock-on effect of reducing weight further still. The inherent strength of carbonfibre also means that the i3 can afford to do without a B-pillar, combining with the suicide rear doors to make a massive aperture.
Happenings

i Will Be Green - BMW i3

IN BMW, I3, Electric, EV, BMW i

After a fairly short gestation period since its initial unveiling in 2011, the final production version of BMW’s i3 city car has been revealed.


Guest-of-Honour Mr Jose Raymond, Executive Director of Singapore Environment Council, who officiated the send-off, said:
Motorsports

Flying Our Flag At The Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2013

IN Singapore, ITE, NTU, Ngee Ann polytechnic, Shell, Eco Marathon, Green, Sustainable, Energy

The future looks green as students from tertiary institutions compete for Eco-glory.


BP: So what kind of emotions did you experience inside the car as you finally set the record? AG: As I came out of the measured mile, through the final timing lights, I knew that we had set the record. However, it’s not over at that point – I’m still travelling at 1,200 km/h and the car needs to stop safely. There’s also a small chance that the timing gear didn’t work – so no celebrations yet. Once the car has stopped, about 10 kilometres and 90 seconds later, the timings come through on the radio – our second run was supersonic and within the required one hour time window, and now we know we’ve done it, time to shut down the car, climb out, and join the celebrations – we’re the world champions!
Happenings

Sonic Boom!

IN Andy Green, BLOODHOUND project, Supersonic, Land speed record, Singapore Science Centre

Andy Green, the fastest man alive, tells us more about going supersonic at a recent meet at the Singapore Science Centre.


The EP200 and EP850 will be launched in September and December respectively. Sizing and prices will be announced closer to the launch dates.
Happenings

Can Black Be Green?

IN Bridgestone, Tyres, Thailand, Ecopia, Green, Test, Unveil

With Bridgestone poised to expand its range of Ecopia tyres, we head up to Thailand for a sneak preview at what these new rubbers have to offer.


New

Beetle Juiced | Volkswagen Beetle 1.4 TSI

IN Volkswagen, Beetle, 1.4 TSI, Supercharged, VGS

With some added power, the otherwise cute Volkswagen Beetle is now quite the road beast.


Aside from the ActiveHybrid badges, it's pretty much the same on the outside, what you get on a regular 3 Series sedan is what you'll find on the AH3. Our test car did come with some silver aluminum inserts and trimmings, the signature kidney grille for example, has its slats finished in silver instead of chrome. Another quick way to differentiate the AH3 from the regular 3 Series is to look at the wheels (provided they aren't spinning). The rotor-styled wheels are unique to the AH3, and along with its bigger brethren, the AH5 and AH7, complete the range of propeller-design wheels on the ActiveHybrid series.
New

Mean & Green | BMW ActiveHybrid 3

IN BMW, 3 Series, Performance Motors, Hybrid, Active Hybrid, 3

How do we save the world without any super powers? BMW has the answer. Packing 335 bhp and 450 Nm, the ActiveHybrid 3 is both mean and green!


But I have a feeling BMW is thinking more 'mean' than 'green' here. You see, manufacturers have also found that slapping a battery does produce a useful dose of extra power and torque for the car, which almost always ends up with them marketing the car as a bit of a performance car as well. Which has always been our slant here at Burnpavement.com anyway. Well, we're happy to say that the ActiveHybrid 7 is a rather enjoyable 'barge' to drive, BMWs in general tend to be.
New

Seventh Heaven? | BMW ActiveHybrid 7

IN BMW, 7 Series, Performance Motors, Hybrid, Active Hybrid, 740i

BMW's answer to Lexus' LS600hL is the ActiveHybrid 7, a large premium hybrid that offers both luxury and performance. From our time with the car, it seems to have succeeded in fulfilling both claims.


Happenings

Å koda Releases Official News Of The Latest Octavia

IN Skoda, Octavia, TSI

Bigger and roomier than everyone else in its class, the new Octavia is set to seal its place as the best-value continental choice.


When Lexus launched the first RX in 1998, the model created the Luxury Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment in the automotive industry. The RX offered the proposition of the first ever car that combines all the flexibility, practicality and durability of a SUV with the handling, performance, refinement and ride of a luxury sedan.
Happenings

New Range Of RX And GS Hybrid Added To Local Lexus Line Up

IN Lexus, RX, RX 270, RX 350, RX Hybrid, GS, GS Hybrid, Borneo Motors

Following the success of the GS model launched earlier, Lexus adds the genre favourite RX... and introduces a green GS.


Modified

Singapore's Best Suzuki Swift Sport | Entry Two (2)

IN Suzuki, Swift Sport, Singapore, Caltex, Competition, Champion Motors

Blue and green? One thing's for sure, this Swift Sport is a definite eye-catcher. Judging from our Facebook teaser shot, you guys like it too!


By now, you might be asking “is this pricier than a regular GTI?” Good news for you then, because you'll be getting an E35 if you order a GTI today – at no extra cost.
New

Happy Birthday Golf! | Volkswagen Golf GTI E35

IN Volkswagen, Golf, GTI, E35, 2.0, TSI, Edition 35

The Edition 35 is Volkswagen’s way of celebrating 35 years of the evergreen Golf GTI. But is it the perfect anniversary present?


On the bright side however, diesel engines are able to use 100 per cent biodiesel as their fuel, unlike petrol engines, which can so far use a mix of 95 per cent fossil fuel and 5 per cent ethanol as an alternative. Biodiesel can be made from used cooking oil, palm oil, Jatropha oil, and in many research and development projects using algae. Recently in March, Neste Oil opened its largest biodiesel plant in Singapore. Capable of producing 800,000 tonnes of renewable fuel from palm oil, the plant was built on a budget of about S$970 million.
Happenings

Drivers Wanting To Go Green With Diesel Hampered By Special Tax

IN Diesel, Caltex, Techron D,

With the increasing awareness of the environment, comes the desire for consumers to conserve fuel as they drive.


Modified

Singapore's Best MINI | Entry Three (3)

IN Mini, Cooper, Countryman, Clubman, S, Singapore, Mini Habitat, Cooper S, Competition, JCW

This Racing Green Cooper S is packed with lots of JCW goodies and matched with some JDM bits to boot. Classic and Racy never went so well!


But can it handle as well as its elder sibling? With a chassis that is not as well-balanced as the Golf GTI's, the Polo GTI does seem a bit suspect in handling when we drove it through the twisty bits. The steering of the Polo GTI as compared to its lesser Polo siblings feels a lot more weighted, giving you decent feedback, but for a car with sporty aspirations, it does seem a bit lacking. Steering the car is easy, with the car responding to directional inputs in a perfunctory manner with nary a hint of enthusiasm. This lack of enthusiasm I am afraid is unbecoming of a hot hatch. Also, with the spirited swerving came the slight body roll which can be a tad unnerving, but to be fair, the Polo GTI managed to fight the initial lean and stayed on course as directed ably. The same can also be said of the car's braking, which can be improved on as it felt 'under servoed', I am not expecting a dentures popping kind of braking, but a little more initial bite on the brakes can't go wrong for this car.
New

Polo-roid Pictured | Volkswagen Polo GTI

IN VW, Volkswagen, Polo, GTI

Volkswagen's entry level hatch gets imbued with the GTI badge of honour.


Motorsports

Chevrolet Wins Again Before Hungarian Crowd

IN WTCC, Budapest, Round 7 & 8

Chevrolet collected two more victories in Budapest and improved the team's tally to an impressive seven wins out of the eight races held so far.


“We are very excited about the arrival of the new Mercedes-Benz Viano and Vito in Singapore. I am sure these two outstanding vehicles will be the top choice and the most reliable partner for businesses too,” said Mr Wolfgang Huppenbauer, President and CEO of Daimler South East Asia.
Happenings

Mercedes-Benz Singapore Launches The New Viano And Vito

IN Mercedes-Benz, Viano, Vito

Comprehensively revamped, the new Viano and Vito are greener, more practical and better to drive.



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