Happenings

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?

At 4,767 mm long, the saloon is two millimetres shorter than the previous model, while the wheelbase is 79 mm longer at 2,791 mm and therefore the body overhangs significantly shorter. At the same time, the Passat is 14 mm lower at 1,456 mm, and 12 mm wider at 1,832 mm.

Happenings

Meet The New Passat

IN Volkswagen, VW, Passat, New Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen unveiled the all-new Passat, slated for public launch in October this year

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.

A small petrol engine that powers Ford cars including the new Fiesta has fought off competition from premium brands and supercars to win the ‘Oscars’ of the engine world for an unprecedented third time in a row. Ford Motor Company’s 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine — which lowers fuel consumption without sacrificing power — today was named 2014 International Engine of the Year for its drivability, performance, economy, refinement and technology.

Happenings

Ford's Small 1.0-litre EcoBoost Wins Big

IN Ford, EcoBoost, 1.0-litre EcoBoost, Engine, 2014 International Engine of the Year

Ford 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is 2014 International Engine of the Year; an unprecedented third consecutive victory

“Most importantly, Android Auto is completely voice-enabled, so that you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road,” Patrick Brady, director of engineering for Android, said during Google I/O, Google's annual developer conference in San Francisco.The interface, known as Google Auto Link during development, is the first product to emerge from the Open Automotive Alliance, a Google-led group that includes Audi, GM, Honda, Hyundai and chipmaker NVIDIA Corp.At the same time however, it also challenges both Apple and Google to help reduce the risk of distracted driving.

Happenings

Google Reveals Android Autos

IN Google, Android, Android Autos, Apple, CarPlay, Interface

Google's Android Auto in-car control system for smartphones set to compete with Apple's CarPlay interface

As announced by the computer giant during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Forza Horizon 2 — coming this September exclusively to Xbox One and Xbox 360 — will offer stunning 1080p resolution graphics at 30 fps. Once behind the wheel, there will be no experience to match it in terms of open-world racing, with the stunning visual impact even more spectacular in nighttime scenes.

Happenings

Lamborghini HuracÃ¡n LP 610-4 Is The Hero Of Forza Horizon 2

IN Lamborghini, Huracan, Huracan LP 610-4, V10, Microsoft, Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon 2

The HuracÃ¡n LP 610-4 is warming up its naturally aspirated V10 engine, ready to share its style, technology and thunderous performance with gamers all around the world.

“Previous research conducted by AXA showed clearly that customers from various segments were looking for very different benefits. We recognised that everyone is different, and we all have our own unique and different needs. So why not provide the highest flexibility and customisation to SmartDrive, and allow everyone to have the freedom to pick and choose and pay for only the benefits they need!

Happenings

AXA Introduces New Car Insurance

IN AXA, Insurance, AXA Insurance Singapore, SmartDrive

Customisable insurance will "allow everyone to have the freedom to pick and choose and pay for only the benefits they need".

A full range of parts and accessories for Å KODA cars will also be available. Full technical backing is provided by Volkswagen Group Regional Aftersales Singapore, an organisation which supports Group brands in several countries in Asia.

Happenings

Volkswagen Singapore Is Official Service Centre For Å KODA Cars

IN Å KODA, Volkswagen, VW, Volkswagen Group Singapore, Aftersales

Å KODA customers in Singapore can now visit Volkswagen Singapore’s service centres for their car servicing and repair requirements.

Happenings

Bentley’s Belting Brawler

IN Bentley, Motorsport, Continental, GT, V8, GT3-R, GT3, Race

Previously taken up only by Porsche, the GT3 moniker now gets applied to Crewe’s most hardcore model ever.

The Caltex PAssion for Kids programme was first launched in 2012. Now into its third year, the programme seeks to extend its community outreach efforts to about 150 students from less privileged background, aged 11 to 14, from PA’s 8 T-Net Club (Teens Network Club) as well as students (i.e. from eight schools) under the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).

Happenings

Helping Less Privileged Students Build Dreams

IN Caltex, People's Association, PA, Chevron

Caltex and People’s Association continue to build dreams with students from less privileged background, with motivational overnight camp

Located at 281 Alexandra Road, the eight-storey Audi Centre Singapore was jointly designed by renowned architects from Ong & Ong Private Limited and Jens Niemann, Senior Architect, Corporate Architecture of Audi Singapore. The Audi Centre Singapore serves as Premium Automobile’s sole showroom facility in Singapore.

Happenings

Audi Centre Singapore Is 'Best Retail Architecture' In The Country

IN Audi, Audi Singapore, Audi Centre Singapore, Premium Automobile, International Property Awards (Asia Pacific) 2014, MIPIM 2013

Audi Centre Singapore received the Asia Pacific accolade at the International Property Awards.

One of the most famous, Carrozzeria Zagato, celebrates its 95th birthday this year, and it is this special occasion for which the Lamborghini 5-95 Zagato was commissioned. Its commissioner is one Albert Spiess, a Swiss who already counts other well-known Zagato works such as the Alfa Romeo SZ and RZ, 1985 Aston V8 Vantage Zagato, and 2012 V12 Vantage Zagato within his stable. So what’s another one to add to the collection, eh?

Happenings

Get to the L-Z!

IN Lamborgini, Zagato, Gallardo, Concept, 5-95

Lamborghini and Zagato, two icons of Italian motoring, come together to create a striking one-off: the 5-95 Zagato Concept.

The 5-door Hatch will be launched in the UK this September. Expect this model to reach Singapore by the end of this year or the early part of 2015. While there has been no indication of local prices, we reckon it would be priced between S$140,000 to S$190,000 with COE for the four different engine variants.

Happenings

A MINI With Five Doors, Anyone?

IN MINI, Mini, MINI UK, MINI Cooper, Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D, Cooper SD, Five-door hatchback, 5-doors

Nope, your eyes are not kidding. Just months after launching the new MINI Hatch, MINI has expanded its model range with the addition of an entirely new body variant: the MINI 5-door Hatch.