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With the Disco Volante, Touring rejuvenates its purest tradition: to create new and exciting shapes for the most performing and interesting chassis. When applied to Alfa Romeos, this philosophy gave birth to masterpieces that marked the history of design and automobiles.

Happenings

American Debut For The Disco Volante

The Alfa Romeo Disco Volante by Touring makes its first appearance in America at the Pebble Beach Concours on August 18, 2013.

You can't look good and go fast without some creature comforts can you? Packed into this svelt sedan are 12-way adjustable ventilated front sports seats upholstered in Nappa leather, a 10-speaker Dynaudio in-car entertainment system, Dynamic Chassis Control, Park Assist with Rear Assist rear-view camera, Easy Open sensor-controlled boot opening and an electrically-operated rear sunblind. All that for a launch price of S$197,800 with COE. I'd drop by VW for a look-look CC if I were you.

Happenings

Volkswagen Launches CC R-Line

IN Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, CC, DSG, R-Line

The already sexy Volkswagen CC now comes in a bolder and sportier version.

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.

An over the top luxobarge designed to be comfortable big sedans, driving a Lexus LS is truly a first class experience on the road. On the move, the car is amazingly quiet with nary a hint of road noise. In fact out on the highway, as I was cruising along, a car would just zip pass me, and I would never hear anything, but upon winding down a window, reality check; a sharp contrast, which proves to us the amazing sound insulation qualities that this car possesses. But honestly, at this price point, anyone would expect top notch engineering, and that includes noise insulation.

New

Luxobarge Redefined | Lexus LS460 Luxury

IN Lexus, LS, LS460, Luxury, Borneo Motors

Luxurious and serene as it was, but even better looking.

With McLaren’s thirty years’ experience working with carbonfibre (first carbonfibre chassis in Formula One and first all carbon-bodied road car, the F1), it comes as no surprise that the P1 is entirely constructed from the black weave — right down to its central load-bearing structure, the MonoCage tub. And since carbonfibre is moulded, the body panels could be shaped in far more complex and extreme ways than if they were made of steel or aluminium. Indeed, it is a real treat to witness and examine the P1 in the flesh, where you can’t help but marvel at how sculpted the car looks. Pictures alone do not do it justice.

Happenings

McLaren P1 Makes Southeast Asian Debut

IN McLaren, P1, Wearnes, McLaren Automotive, Hypercar, F1

Singapore is the first stop for the P1 as it makes its way around the region

McLaren GT is to produce a new high performance variant of the 12C, named the 12C GT Sprint, designed to offer further enhanced handling through optimised aerodynamics and track focus. The track-only model signifies the continued development of the 12C model, and bridges the gap between the 12C, itself fully accomplished on both road and track, and the all-out racing 12C GT3 and 12C GT Can-Am Edition models. It has been designed and developed by McLaren GT, the race car building arm of the McLaren Group, and retains many of the unique systems from the 12C road car, on which it is based.

Motorsports

Tadaa... A Track Focused MP4-12C

IN MP4-12C, 12C GT Sprint, McLaren

Want a McLaren track car to join motor racing competitively? Well, the 12C GT Sprint is right up your alley

Both cars are powered by SsangYong’s new e-XDi200 2.0-litre diesel engine that offers up 155 bhp and 360 Nm, and is mated to (what else?) a 5-speed automatic also sourced from Mercedes.

Happenings

New SsangYong Stavic And Rexton Debut In Singapore

IN SsanYong, Rexton, Stavic, Launch, MPV, SUV

The replacements for SsangYong’s flagship MPV and SUV were unveiled at the recent CATS CARnival.

Pirelli has currently more than 200 homologations for the Volkswagen Group, in sizes that range from 15 to 21 inches. Another 250 homologations are currently under development, many of which will go into production within the next few years.

The long list of models currently equipped by Pirelli include prestige cars such as the Porsche Carrera, Boxster, Cayenne and Panamera, as well as the Lamborghini Aventador and Gallardo, the Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur as well as the Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7, RS5, RS6 and TT, plus the Volkswagen Tiguan, Touareg, Phaeton and Golf.

The partnership between Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group is not just limited to the European market but also covers other territories such as Latin America, Mexico and China. Pirelli and the Volkswagen Group are also engaged in joint business development in Russia and the United States.

Happenings

Pirelli Named Global Champion By Volkswagen Group

IN Pirelli, Tyres, Volkswagen

Pirelli has won the 2013 Volkswagen Group Award, the coveted prize that the international carmaker awards to its best suppliers.

The all-new Lexus IS will be available in three key models — IS 250, IS Hybrid and IS F SPORT. The IS 250 is powered by a smooth 2.5-litre V6 engine providing 208 bhp, while the IS Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine, boasting of 223 bhp. An all-new F SPORT package will also be available for both models.

Happenings

All New 2013 Lexus IS Range Unveiled

IN Lexus, IS, IS250, Hybrid, Petrol, F Sport, Launch

The third generation all-new IS model range was recently unveiled at the new Lexus Boutique.

Like previous versions, the vRS will be available in both petrol and diesel form, and gets identical mechanicals to the current Golf, which means either the 220 bhp, 350 Nm 2.0-litre TSI from the GTI, or the 184 bhp, 380 Nm 2.0-litre TDI from the GTD. To give an idea of how the Fastest Octavia Ever performs, the TSI version equipped with a 6-speed manual will do 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds and will top out at 248km/h. Stop-start, Brake Energy Regeneration and the optional 6-speed DSG gearbox should help fulfill Skoda’s claims of a 19% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the old models.

Happenings

Czech-mate

IN Skoda, Octavia, VRS, Hot hatch, Wagon, Estate

With a new Golf out, comes a new Octavia. And as predictable as the GTI version is for the Golf, so too is the vRS for Skoda, in both hatch and estate form.

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.

Then again, it doesn’t necessarily have to out-drag the competition, because Kia is pitching the GT as a brisk all-rounder designed for “everyday usability and civility, not a track special” (although its chassis was developed at the Nurburgring). So even though it gets re-tuned springs and dampers, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and larger brakes, its multi-link suspension should ensure a tolerable ride.

Happenings

Still Very Reasonably Priced

IN Kia, Hot hatch, Ceed, GT, Cee'd

The name is still ridiculous, but this hot hatch looks set to be a credible and value-packed alternative in the market.

Happenings

V Is For Victory

IN Aston, Martin, Aston Martin, Vanquish, Volante, Convertible, V12

Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary celebrations continue with another V12 beauty

New

All Grown Up | Toyota RAV4 2.0 Premium

IN Toyota, RAV4, SUV, 2.0

The redesigned RAV4 gives it the performance and features to keep up with the leaders in this compact SUV segment.

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.

Unveiled to clients and family during Vanishing Point 2013, the International Pagani gathering, the Revolucion would be the ultimate Zonda. Just like the Cinque and the R, the Revolucion has a Carbo-tanium central monocoque which weighs it in at 1070 kg. This lightweight shell is pushed around courtesy of an 800 bhp 6.0-liter V12, resulting in an impressive 748 bhp per tonne.

Happenings

The Last Of Its Kind

IN Pagani, Zonda, Revolucion, R, V12, Track

Pagani builds the ultimate Zonda to celebrate the end of its production run.

The Auris is an altogether more intriguing proposition, one that some of you readers might recognize as having a more European flair. It joins the growing number of designed-in-Europe cars like the Hyundai i30 and i40, Nissan Juke and Qashqai, and FN Honda Civic Type-R. This is great news, because cars bound for Europe are usually engineered to a higher degree, thanks to their stricter quality demands.

Happenings

The New Toyota Auris And Vios

IN Toyota, Auris, Vios, UK, Thailand, Launch, Revamp

Two new models are launched; one to carry the torch passed on by its predecessor, the other seeking to make inroads in a new sector of the market.

Thanks to its lightweight construction (composite body panels on top of a tubular spaceframe chassis), the Twin’Run weighs just 950kg, and can hit 100km/h in 4.5s before topping out at 250km/h. The car sits on 18-in wheels, with double wishbone suspension and Ohlins shock absorbers all around.

Happenings

Run For Miles

IN Renault, TwinRun, Concept, V6, Race

This is the French at their loony best, stuffing a big V6 into the rear of a tiny car. And what did they do with it after that? Thrash it round a track, of course!

Happenings

What The F?

IN Lexus, GS, F-SPORT, Kirk Edmondson, Borneo Motors, LFA, IS-F

We sit down with Kirk Edmondson, General Manager - Brand Management for Lexus Asia Pacific Division, and chat about what Lexus is doing with their F-SPORT range.

Happenings

A 'Selfish' Celebration

IN Lamborghini, Bull, 50, Anniversary, Birthday, Gift, Egoista, Selfish, V10, De Silva, Concept

The Raging Bull turns 50 this year. We weren’t expecting it when the Veneno was unveiled at Geneva, and we certainly weren’t expecting this, the Egoista.