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The question was not without merit. Sales of the outgoing Toyota Crown had dwindled to just 21,000 units. A far cry from the heady days where the Japanese automaker sold 200,000-plus units at the peak of the Crown era in 1990. It would take nothing short of a complete reboot to stop the decline of interest in sedans around the world.
Happenings

SHOCK: Toyota Crown sedan splits up into four-strong model lineup for 2023

IN Toyota, Crown, SUV, Luxury sedan

16th generation Toyota Crown becomes an SUV, wagon, and lifted sedan; to be sold globally starting from Autumn 2022 in Japan


The SUV in question is the Škoda Kodiaq vRS. The latter suffix is the Czech carmaker’s performance sub-brand, not unlike BMW’s M division or Mercedes-AMG. Perhaps, Škoda parent company Volkswagen’s GTI range might be closer to the concept of vRS. Speaking of which, vRS apparently stands for “victory Rally Sport” and the other fun fact is that the vee in vRS is actually supposed to be silent! So it’s simply referred to as, ‘RS’. In fact, in Škoda’s official communications, the the v is omitted altogether. It seems that not only is the ‘v’ silent, it’s invisible, too.
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Bear market: Skoda Kodiaq vRS review

IN Skoda, Kodiaq, RS, VRS, SUV, Performance SUV

Skoda’s renown vRS performance line expands to its flagship SUV


It’s an SUV that’s slightly larger than its first model here, the Model 3 saloon. As you can tell from the pictures, their styling is essentially identical, because the two share the majority of their components: as much as 75% according to electrek.co.
Happenings

Tesla Model Y now on sale in Singapore

IN Tesla, Model Y, EV, SUVs

Order books have opened for Tesla’s compact SUV


The 3 will be the biggest hitter in the Polestar food chain for the foreseeable future. Where the 2 is a performance executive sedan aimed at the Tesla Model 3 and indirectly, the Audi A4/BMW 3 Series/Mercedes-Benz C-class segment, the 3 will be a large SUV about the size of a Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90. In terms of direct all-electric competitors, it goes up against the BMW iX, as well as the forthcoming EV version of the Range Rover Sport. No details yet on its figures, but it’ll have a dual motor drivetrain (one on each axle), and a battery pack good enough for 600km of range. In due time, it’ll be able to drive itself, introducing “autonomous highway piloting powered by the best-in-class LiDAR sensor from Luminar and centralized NVIDIA computing power”. Fancy.
Happenings

Polestar's third act is a luxury electric performance SUV.

IN Polestar, EV, SUV, Electric vehicle

Polestar unveils their new luxury electric performance SUV, due to go on sale in October 2022. We take a closer look at the Polestar 3 here.


This comes a few weeks after its mechanically-related compatriot, the Kia EV6, scooped the award for European Car of the Year 2022.
Happenings

Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins big at the World Car Awards 2022

IN Hyundai, Ioniq 5, EV, SUVs, World Car Awards

Hyundai next-gen EV scoops 3 titles including Best Car In The World; Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota win other categories.


First of all, let’s clarify the biggest detail about the all-new Lexus NX 350 F Sport tested here. Despite the number in its moniker, this Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) DOES NOT have a 3.5-litre V6 under its bonnet. Instead, it is powered by a 2,393cc turbocharged in-line 4-cylinder unit. In case you were wondering if this might be an allusion to its power output, it makes 275hp, 21hp less than the last Lexus to bear the venerable ‘350’ badge. It gets more interesting. The larger, Lexus RX 300 is fitted with a 1,998cc turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It is not too often that a flagship model gets a smaller engine. So as it is with its German competitors Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the numbers no longer correspond to the engine capacity. Life used to be simpler…
New

Faux-wheel drive: Lexus NX 350 F Sport

IN Lexus, NX 350, F-sport

The second-generation mid-sized SUV from Lexus is stylish and capable. However, not everything is as it seems…


Described as a British car that’s been “raised globally”, the Eletre was designed and engineered by several teams in the UK, Sweden and Germany, and will be the first Lotus built outside Britain - in a brand new factory in Wuhan, China. Don’t forget of course that Lotus is now owned by Geely, as is Volvo and its luxury EV offshoot Polestar.
Happenings

The Lotus Eletre is a 600hp, 2-tonne, all-electric inevitability.

IN Lotus, Eletre, EV, SUV

Lotus’s first ever five-door car is a Lamborghini/Aston Martin/Ferrari-rivalling hyper-SUV.


The new RAV4 Hybrid is an upgrade from the current RAV4 2.0L petrol version in almost every conceivable way. Its electric motor is mated to a 2.5-litre engine which generate a combined 215hp. That’s a significant leg up from the 170hp power output of the petrol model, and so is the acceleration: 8.1 seconds 0-100km/h for the Hybrid, down from 9.8 seconds for the petrol.
Happenings

Toyota RAV4 now available in Singapore with hybrid power

IN Toyota, RAV4, SUV, Hybrid, Borneo Motors

The electrified Toyota RAV4 gains power and fuel economy, but its price stays the same


In case you're wondering what a north-easterly Mediterranean wind has to do with anything, fun fact - since 1963, Maserati has taken to naming some of its sports models after wind-names. Mistral - strong, cold, stormy, northwest wind that blows from the south of France to the Mediterranean coast Ghibli - the Libyan Arabic name for the Sirocco, is a wind that can move a huge quantity of sand Bora - a very strong and cold wind that blows from the northeast onto the Adriatic region Khamsin - a hot, violent gust, blowing in the Egyptian desert and Israel for fifty days a year Karif - an incredibly strong, hot wind that blows from the southwest across the Gulf of Aden in Somalia with gale force Shamal - the Arabic word for “north” and is a hot and dry summer wind that blows from the north in Iran, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula Levante - a warm, easterly wind that blows in the western Mediterranean Sea In the same tradition, we now have the Grecale, named after the north-easterly Mediterranean wind; it's a Porsche Macan-rivalling SUV that sits under the Levante in the lineup.
Happenings

The North-Easterly Mediterranean Wind Blows: Maserati Grecale Launched

IN Maserati, Grecale, SUV, Hybrid, EV

Conventional internal combustion engine, mild hybrid and full-electric SUV line-up to come


The Mazda CX-60 may be a 'tame' family hauler rather than a fire-breathing rotary sports coupe, but it still piqued more than a bit of interest here at the office. That's because the platform the CX-60 rides on, which will go on to underpin a number of Mazda's larger future offerings (including the next-gen Mazda 6), has the engine mounted longitudinally, which means… … wait for it… … a rear-wheel drive mechanical layout!
Happenings

Launched with a Buzz | Mazda CX-60 PHEV SUV

IN Mazda, CX-60, SUV, Hybrid

Kodo, Ma, Kaichou, Musubu, Hacho and Kakenui for you, Takumi-san?


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.


“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!


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.


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.


With the exception of genuine mud-pluggers like Land Rovers, Jeeps, the Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen or Suzuki Jimny, what can SUVs do that other car types can’t? Just need a personal or family runabout? An equivalent-sized saloon or hatchback will be cheaper and more economical. Regularly need to lug lots of cargo around? A wagon can swallow just as much stuff while being easier to load/unload (due to being lower), and being more economical as well. And what if you have an extended brood? Well, proper MPVs will always be more spacious and comfortable than even the largest of 7 or 8-seater SUVs. Add to all that the fact that physics ensures an SUV’s extra height and weight works against it in road manners, and it’s still a wonder how, for the first time last year, they became the best-selling type of new car in Singapore.
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Clawing its way to the top | Jaguar F-Pace 2.0 R-Dynamic

IN Jaguar, F-Pace, Jaguar F-Pace, Wearnes

Handsome looks, superb handling and an excellent new infotainment system make the facelifted Jaguar F-Pace one of the most desirable medium luxury SUVs around.


It’s the original luxury SUV, with the list of owners reading like a who’s who of Hollywood. Daniel Craig, Victoria Beckham, Kanye West… these are just some celebs that have chosen Range Rovers to pootle around in. Amidst all the luxury, this crowd is eventually going to get bored, thus JLR have now released a new one. Smoother, Neater Styling
Happenings

Next-Gen Range Rover Unveiled

IN Land Rover, Range Rover, EV, Wearnes

The OG luxo-SUV gets updated, with options for a seven-seat configuration and full-electric drivetrain for the very first time.


What’s new? Up front, the Tiguan has been given a new stoic-looking face that resembles its larger Touareg sibling. There’s a new and wider radiator grille, a higher bonnet line, and a redesigned front bumper. Behind, the ‘Tiguan’ badge is now centrally positioned below the Volkswagen roundel, together with a new ‘4MOTION’ badge to match.
Happenings

We go off-road with the new Volkswagen Tiguan

IN Volkswagen, Tiguan, Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Centre Singapore

In the 4Motion-equipped Tiguan and Tiguan R-Line, this off-road course seemed like a trip to the supermarket.


Carmakers have taken to christening their estate models with different names to stand out from each other. Audi, for example, uses Avant, while BMW calls it a Touring. Skoda terms theirs as a Combi, while its parent company Volkswagen refers to its variants as um, Variant.
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The Critical Thinker's Practical Choice | Skoda Octavia Combi

IN Skoda, Octavia, Combi, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia, Octavia Combi, Skoda Octavia Combi, Skoda Centre Singapore

In a sea of SUVs, the seldom-seen station wagon smartly stands strong. And the Skoda Octavia Combi is one of the strongest there is.


Some stylish details on this marvel (sorry) include perfectly tailored M Performance components. Exterior mirror caps hand-made from carbon-fibre add to the car’s athletic look. Plus, they pair well with the M Performance side decals and door sill finishes. The BMW iX3 Legend Edition will also feature high-quality BMW fixed hub caps which create a special focal point on the wheel even when the car is in motion. Coolcoolcool. Ok, so why 8 and not 10? If you’re getting excited though, don’t wait too long because there’ll only be a handful of units available. Plus, to add to your flurry, Mr Daren Ching, Director of Marketing, BMW Asia points out, “The first-ever BMW iX3 has been very well received in Singapore, with a majority of the stock being spoken for within weeks of its launch in August 2021. With only eight units of this limited edition model coming to the Lion City, customers should register their interest sooner rather than later!” To sweeten the deal, upon placing a refundable deposit of $500, customers will also receive limited edition Marvel merch, and an Electrified Drive Package which includes a 2D1N staycation package with Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Singapore. Interested? Then less thinking and more clicking. After all, if you aim at nothing, you hit nothing. #ifyouknowyouknow Visit bethefirst.bmw.com.sg/theiX3 to register your interest ahead of the official launch in the coming weeks!
Happenings

Sneak a peek at the BMW iX3 Marvel fans have been waiting for.

IN BMW, BMW iX, BMW iX3, IX, IX3, BMW Electrified

The new BMW iX3 Legend Edition which celebrates the electrifying SUV’s appearance in Marvel Studios’ ‘Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings’, will be in Singapore by the end of this year.



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