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Fitted to a Toyota Supra in 255/35R19 (front) and 275/35R19 (rear) sizes, Tyre Reviews’ Jonathan Benson pitched the Continental SportContact 7 against nine other rivals, which included the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Bridgestone Potenza Sport; the latter was the UHP category winner, as well as overall champion in Asia’s Ultimate Tyre Awards’ tyre test 2022, Singapore’s first empirical and scientific tyre test.
Happenings

Continental SportContact 7 wins Tyre Reviews’ 2022 UHP tyre test

IN Toyota, Supra, Tyre review, Tyre test, Continental, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Michelin

Come for the in-depth tyre comparison, stay for the gratuitous oversteer


The electric premium crossover scored a total of 279 points, fending off a shortlist that was almost entirely comprised of pure EVs, a clear indication of the direction the automotive industry is trending towards. This is the first time that Kia, or any other South Korean car manufactuer, has won the prestigious title, and the third time for an EV.
Happenings

Kia EV6 wins European Car of the Year 2022

IN Kia, EV6, EV, Awards

Electric crossover takes the gong ahead of an almost all-EV final shortlist


“The need for different technologies to fit into a given environment or scenario across the world, is I think, the most rational and probably the fastest way to make an impact on the environment, globally,” said Lars. With the combination of products that offer customers the Power of Choice, along with a Managing Director who can comfortably adapt to a fast-moving conversation, it looks like BMW Group Asia is in very good hands indeed.
Happenings

Lunch with Lars: BMW Group Asia Managing Director

IN BMW Group Asia, Automotive news,

Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia effortlessly handles a wide variety of topics from Danish butter cookies to the challenges of a disruptive car market


For me though, the Golf GTI has always been a bit of a letdown. Granted, most of my experience has only been with the Mk7 and Mk7.5, but for all the myth and legend surrounding those three letters, and the accolades heaped upon it by automotive media everywhere, most of my encounters with a GTI has left me feeling distinctly unenthused. As an unabashed lover of fast driving, hot hatches are definitely right up my alley, but the Mk7.5 just didn't serve up enough thrills. It didn't help that it debuted in something of a renaissance period for hot hatches, with the FK8 Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30N, Mk4 Renault Megane RS, and even its corporate cousin the Skoda Octavia RS245, all muscling in on the GTI’s turf.
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1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8

IN VW, Volkswagen, Golf, Golf GTI, Hot hatch, Hatchback

Amongst hot hatches, it’s always been the VW Golf GTI that’s left BP’s resident racer, Jon, the coldest. Can the feistier new Mk8 change his mind?


Find a twisty road however, and it doesn’t take long to unearth the RS’s other talents. Whack the DCC up into sport, and the car becomes a highly effective, if slightly clinical, road devourer. The meaty yet quick steering is confidence-inspiring and makes accurate placing of the car an intuitive affair, and the body control lent by the DCC is exceptional. As with the RS245 and Mk8 GTI though, the crowning glory is the limited-slip differential, which mitigates any trace of untidy wheelspin as you power out of corners, a trait which the old GTI sometimes frustrated me with.
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First Drive: 2022 Skoda Octavia RS

IN Skoda, Octavia, Octavia RS, Hot hatch, Sports saloon, Skoda Centre Singapore

The Skoda Octavia RS is back, and continues to offer the same incredible value and practicality. We take it out for a brief taster to see what it’s like


Colleague Sheldon has already done a thorough lifestyle-review of the iX3 in full-glory 4K, so this article will concentrate on the rudiments of the EV experience from the perspective of a complete newbie – yours truly.
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An EV-newbie's Virgin Experience | with BMW iX3 M Sport Impressive

IN BMW, IX3, M Sport, EV, Charging

Electric cherry popped


Factor in the current COE price of $82k and the M340i comes within striking distance of the $376,581 Audi S4, also an all-wheel drive 3-litre turbocharged sport sedan that makes 353hp and 500Nm of torque. Altogether, that’s good for an electronically-limited 250km/h top speed and 4.7 second sprint from 0-100km/h. Compelling? Moreover, even though it still sports a straight-6 turbo engine, the M340i is now available in Singapore only with all-wheel drive, or xDrive as BMW calls it. Cue moans and groans from hardcore BMW enthusiasts. Since the regular G20 has already been covered in a previous article, we’ll simply focus on what makes this an M Performance vehicle. The Important Bits The M340i features bulging intakes up front, which sets it apart from the regular 3er and makes that front-end look sharper and meaner. Don’t be deceived by those slim headlights though – they’re up there with the best that we‘ve tested.
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BMW M340i xDrive: Formerly known as Prince

IN BMW, M, M340i, XDrive

True commitment to (most of) BMW’s traditional values is needed


If the car vaguely looks like a Volvo XC40, particularly from the front end, that’s probably because it mostly is Polestar started out as a performance sub-brand of the Swedish carmaker. The brand is under ownership of Geely Auto, which also includes Lotus, smart, Proton, and of course, Volvo amongst its 18-brand portfolio. The Chinese auto giant has deemed that Polestar be positioned as a standalone dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) brand. Getting on pole
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POLE POSITION: Polestar 2 aims for Tesla Model 3

IN Polestar, EV, Sedan, Electric vehicle

The Volvo-spawned EV brand makes its debut in Singapore with Polestar 2, a compact sedan which offers something different from the popular American brand.


The redesigned model will come in seven colours, including WR Blue Pearl which is unique to the Subaru brand (in other words, not available with the Toyota GR86 – which is available in Neptune and Trueno Blue in other markets).
Happenings

BRZ to arrive in Singapore soon

The second-generation BRZ is due here soon. The 2.4-litre boxer engine in the new BRZ will push out 232 bhp and 250Nm of torque.


Aesthetically, too, Hyundai’s latest Sensuous Sportiness design identity boldly takes innocuous family-mobiles and adds dramatic styling. In late 2020, this made its debut on Singapore roads with the new Avante. It instantly became the clear choice for someone whose emotional side wanted a boldly-styled car, yet their rational side called for a sensible sedan. Hyundai’s now put the new design identity to work on their crossovers – and if you ask me, it’s turned out even better with the Tucson’s rugged proportions. An Exterior with Funkiness
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The Future is Funky | Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

IN Hyundai, Tucson, Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Komoco Motors

Hyundai has taken a gamble with the new, boldly-styled Tucson SUV – and it’s paid off handsomely.


In Singapore’s market, GLB 35 occupies a pretty unique niche. The Cupra Ateca sits in the same category for space and pace but not so on price, while the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman comes close on price and performance but not so on space. Since the more mundane, practical aspects of the Mercedes-Benz GLB have already been covered in the review of the GLB 200, the focus of this article will be on the GLB 35’s raison d’être – pant-pummelling performance with suitably-aggressive looks to boot.
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Zesty and Zingy Family SUV | Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, GLB, GLB-Class, GLB 35, 35 AMG, Cycle & Carriage, Cycle & Carriage Mercedes-Benz

(G)ood (L)ikeable (B)read-van.


Our quick spin of the car during the media preview last month left us impressed with the six-cylinder’s power delivery. 374 hp and 500 Nm tends to do that, especially with a torque curve that smooth. On our extended test drive though, little foibles in the package began to surface. Controversial Styling
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Not a girl, not yet a woman | BMW M440i Gran Coupe

IN BMW, 4 Series, Gran Coupe, M440i, M Performance, 4 Series Gran Coupe

Although adorned with M badges inside and out, you’ll need to approach the M440i Gran Coupe with a different perspective.


“Audi fans and customers have a lot to look forward to in the new year with a strong emphasis on the most prestigious members of the Audi family,” said Markus Schuster, Managing Director of Audi Singapore. Judging by the list they’ve sent us, we concur… RS 3 Sedan & RS 3 Sportback
Happenings

New Year, New Audis!

IN Audi, RS3, S8, R8, R8 V10, R8 RWD, R8 V10 RWD, SQ7, SQ8, E-tron, Sportback

From supercars, to ubersedans, to hot SUVs – Audi’s got something for everyone in the coming year!


Happenings

BMW Teases Us with their upcoming 2022 Model Line-up

IN BMW, 2 Series, 8 Series, M8 Competition, 3 Series, X7, X1, 7 Series, I7

Exciting times ahead!


No matter, the A3 got a pass for the rest of the (rather competent) package. ‘The S3 will be better,’ I thought, and boy was I right. Stealth Rocketship
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Potent Weapon | Audi S3 Sedan

IN Audi, S3, Audi S3, S3 Sedan, Premium Automobiles

There’s no need to give up hot hatch thrills even after you’re all grown up.


For that, we have to look at Extreme Performance tyres, and one of the most venerable and popular examples in this segment is Yokohama’s Advan Neova range. Yokohama has just revealed the latest addition to this family, the new AD09, which is due to go on sale in Japan in Feb 2022, before “gradually being expanded to Asia and North America”. Unfortunately, no launch dates have been set for markets other than Japan, according to Yokohama’s official dealer in Singapore, YHI Automotive.
Happenings

Yokohama unveils new Advan Neova AD09 extreme performance tyre

IN Yokohama, Advan, Neova, AD09, Yokohama Advan Neova, Neova AD09, Tyres

The AD09 is the latest in Yokohama’s line of track-oriented tyres, and is set to go on sale in 2022.


For a rather rounded-edge SUV, those downward-sloping headlights and signature pointy Alfa Romeo grille combine to give the Stelvio Veloce a fierce face, akin to a shark stalking its prey. Large air inlets at the bottom of the front bumper add to this fiery countenance, with the adaptive cruise control sensor housed in the right-side inlet. A clamshell bonnet with power creases on either side rounds off the top of the front-end. Around the side sits a solitary black ‘Veloce’ badge on the muscular front fender, reminding one that this is a pretty hot variant of Stelvio. Letting the eyes drop downward, one can’t help but notice the recognizably-Alfaesque telephone-dial 20-inch rims. Shod with 255/45 R20 Michelin Latitude Sport 3 tyres, this combo offers nice ride pliancy combined with generous levels of grip in the beating rain.
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Exciting la Famiglia | Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce

IN Alfa Romeo, Stelvio, Veloce, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Stelvio Veloce, EuroAutomobile

Higher-riding handling-machine, and also a family-hauler.


So, to embrace this (unavoidable) future of electric mobility, we rocked on down to electric avenue EV Weekend. Held at The Forum in Resorts World Sentosa, the event is Singapore’s first-ever EV showcase with ten cars on display. Happening from now untill 12th December both physically and virtually, you can either pop over to RWS or visit the brands’ virtual showrooms here. The event not only showcases the latest EVs under one roof, but also includes information corners on how you can transition from an ICE vehicle to an EV. You can also learn more about Singapore’s upcoming EV infrastructure, and the future of electric mobility in Singapore. The road to the future is electric, and here’s what we saw when we took a stroll down it: BMW iX
Happenings

We Rock Down to Electric Avenue

IN EV Weekend, EV, Electric Vehicles

Ok, catchy title aside, it’s actually Singapore’s first-ever EV Weekend. We check out ten hot electric vehicles, including the latest BMW iX!


Look at the price of the A3 (S$187,635 as of December 2021), and you might balk at how much more it costs over its platform-mates. With that price tag, it puts the A3 S$30k over the Golf, and nearly S$50k over the Octavia!
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The Posher Sibling | Audi A3 Sportback Mild Hybrid

IN Audi, A3, Sportback, Audi A3, A3 Sportback, Premium Automobiles

As the fanciest model to use the Volkswagen Group MQB Evo platform, is the A3 Sportback worth the extra dough? We check out what extras it offers over its siblings.


Darker Than Ever Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke programme is known for creating cars in all colours of the rainbow and more (ahem, Michael Fux), so why go for black?
Happenings

Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost wafts into Singapore

IN Rolls-Royce, Ghost, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Black Badge, Rolls-Royce Black Badge, Eurokars Group

The dark side of the British luxury marque’s entry model comes purer and more technologically advanced.



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