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Margaret says: The Countryman immediately made me regret buying the Mini Cooper S which I primarily bought for the fun drive. The engine does feel hot when it's running, which is what I experience in my own Mini as well. I would buy it, but I wouldn't want to go for the entry level, because the four wheel drive has a very planted feel and the equipment level is superb.

New

MINI Cooper S Countryman Panel Of Professionals (P.O.P.) Session

Our panel of professionals (P.O.P.) strap themselves up in the passenger seat and get up close and personal with the MINI Cooper S Countryman. Hear what they have to say about the car.

You might think this is a new Panamera S Hybrid variant, but you are wrong. It's the new Panamera Diesel. Despite being a more conventional engine, it comes stuffed with the latest technologies such as common rail direct injection, electrically controlled variable geometry turbochargers and controlled exhaust gas recirculation with an oxidation catalyst and particle filter.

Happenings

Porsche's Frugal Panamera

IN Porsche, Panamera, Diesel

With an engine that sips fuel, this Gran Turismo will make long journeys a single-tank affair.

Happenings

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

IN Porsche, 911, RS,

The 911 GT3 RS, one of Porsche's most popular, coveted and successful track-inspired production cars, has been given a final injection of thoroughbred technology resulting in the 911 GT3 RS 4.0.

The new car comes with plenty of electronic aids too, including Cornering Brake Control (CBC) which varies braking power between all four wheels in order to keep the car stable, Cornering Torque Control (CTC) that minimizes under steer and Hydraulic Brake Fade Assist (HBFA) that compensates for possible brake fade in repeated heavy braking situations.

Happenings

New Opel Astra: The Cyclist's Car?

IN Opel, Astra, Bicycle, Rack, Turbo

As ironic as it seems, this five-door hatchback has one unique feature that separates it from the pack.

To get higher octane from premium fuel, most will add a bottle of octane booster. VP Racing has a strong reputation with fuels and its high octane formulas are very popular in racing. Adding their C5 Octane Booster to a tank of fuel will increase the octane ratings by 3.3 RON, thanks to the effective MMT agent (Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl), which is proven to deliver the greatest octane boost.

The C5 Octane Booster is capable of boosting octane up to eight numbers for increased performance while providing lead lubrication. Increased fuel octane helps to eliminate pre-ignition and detonation, which translates into more horsepower and torque. More than just increasing octane ratings, it also provides upper cylinder lubrication especially for older engines and protects it from valve seat recession.

The Pit

VP Racing Fuels C5 Octane Booster

IN VP Racing, Fuel, Booster, Octane, RON, MON

Going back to formula might just end the argument about which type of petrol offers the best performance in our cars.

Even out on the expressway, the A1 gets up to legal speeds without fuss. However what’s lacking here is engine refinement — it can sound a tad gruff especially above 4,500 rpm, and the drone does get intrusive when the audio system is switched off. Handling wise, the A1 remains your typical Audi. Which means the steering is well weighted, handling is predictable and as a whole, makes even an amateur driver a street hero. Depending on buyer’s demand, nothing is wrong with this particular aspect of the A1 — but if you’re more demanding and place more emphasis on “f-u-n”, then you might come disappointed. In comparison, at least the Mini Cooper requires more driver input and you can easily (a) throw its rear out, and (b) laugh away gleefully as you try to get back its line. But wait: here's a surprise, the A1 in comparison seems to brake better.

New

The Potentially Special One | Audi A1

IN Audi, A1, 1.4 TSI, S-tronic

The Audi A1 jumps onto the scene in time — just when the Mini’s a decade old…

On 14 and 15 May 2011, ladies will get to drive Singapore's best-selling coupe, the Volkswagen Scirocco on the very same stretch of tarmac that hosts the annual Formula One street race. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest woman on each day.

Off the track, visitors can enjoy a manicure, pedicure or head and neck massage, plus a free flow of refreshments. There will be plenty of eye candy too, in the form of Volkswagen's hunky grid boys.

The whole Scirocco range will be offered with special deals on that day as well. Interested participants can reserve their driving experience slots on www.sciroccoladiesday.sg from 29 April 2011.

Happenings

A Day With A Scirocco, For Ladies Only!

IN Volkswagen, Scirocco, Ladies, Day

Volkswagen's Scirocco Ladies’ Day promises driving thrills for the ladies.

Happenings

Team Lotus Buys Caterham Cars

IN Team, Enterprise, Lotus, Caterham, Cars

Simplify, add lightness and now, Formula One technology?

The rest of the stalls rounded up the carnival-like atmosphere. The official Formula One team merchandise booth sold all kinds of F1 memorabilia. Team booths from Red Bull Racing, Vodafone McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari were present too. Malaysian Red Crescent Society members were on site, collecting donations to help victims of the tsunami and earthquakes in Japan.

The Pit

A Truly Asian Race Experience

IN 2011, Formula, One, Petronas, Malaysia, Grand, Prix

With shows, sales and parties, there is more to the 2011 Formula One Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix than the race itself.

This event is part of RBR's plan to bring F1 closer to the people by driving a real F1 car in locations that no one would dream of. It brings the F1 experience closer to the people, with RBR being one of the few teams that operate an independent show car team. They can offer spectators a once in a lifetime experience of the power of an F1 car up close.

Happenings

Smoky Donuts Galore On Orchard Road!

IN Red Bull, Speed Street, Singapore, David Coulthard, F1, RBR

More than 50,000 spectators witnessed former Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard burning up Orchard Road in his F1 show car.

In Malaysia, the programme will see a series of articles being run on the topic of car and road safety. It will kick off with its first

Happenings

Goodyear Launches "Women With Drive" In Malaysia

IN Goodyear, Women With Drive, Malaysia, AAM

Launched in partnership with the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM), the programme is targeted at making women more road-savvy.

A seven-speed DSG gearbox with paddle shifters is fitted as standard. The new car also comes fitted with the same electronic transverse differential lock (XDS) you find on a Golf GTI. It electronically mimics a limited slip differential to reduce the tendency to under steer and deliver the power to the road more efficiently.

Happenings

The Polo GTI Lands In Singapore!

IN Volkswagen, Polo, GTI, DSG, TSI

Unlike most launches, we had the chance to wring out the best in this little beast!

The second race (Round 4) was one of the most exciting ever with Gabriele Tarquini and his SEAT LeÃ³n TDi being able to interrupt Chevrolet's supremacy. The tough fight for the lead between the Italian and Huff will be remembered and the result proved that even a great team with great drivers can fail when put under pressure. Which is good news for the championship that is still led by Huff who has only a one-point margin ahead of Menu.

Motorsports

Huff And Tarquini Shares Wins In Sunny Easter

IN WTCC, Zolder, Round 3 & 4

Belgian fans flocked to the Zolder track in a sunny Easter Sunday and were rewarded by two close races that saw Rob Huff and Gabriele Tarquini sharing victories.

Happenings

Zone 1 Ticket Holders To Enjoy Additional Viewing Experiences

IN Singtel, Singapore GP, 2011, F1

Singapore GP confirmed the integration of the Singapore Flyer into Zones 1 and 2 of the Marina Bay Street Circuit, allowing Zone 1 and Premier Walkabout ticket-holders complete access.

The Special Stages (SS) challenged the driving and recovery skills in the two classes of competitor teams (Modified and Special) to the maximum as they shake, rattled and rolled their machines. If the Friday Prologue SS was tough with mechanical problems and broken egos, the following two days were tougher for man and machine. On the second day, the action shifted to the banks of the Isonzo river and the hills of Farra. It was time for very technical maneuvers which required nerves of steel even from the most seasoned teams, but everyone was on full throttle with passion and played out the SS with true grit.

Motorsports

Spring Passion, Ala 4x4!

IN 4x4, SUV, Rainforest Challenge, Europe

It was action all the way from the get go for 36 well prepared 4x4 off-road warriors from Slovenia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France (Corsica) and different parts of Italy.

After 14 punishing gravel special stages in the Jordan Valley, Ogier finished the two day event ahead of second-place Jari-Matti Latvala of Finland after trailing him in the final Power Stage, near the Dead Sea. In the end it was Ogier who came out tops as he recorded the fastest timing to best Latvala by half a second.

Motorsports

Ogier Strikes Again!

IN WRC, 2011, Jordan

Following his success in Portugal, the French man records yet another victory in the Jordan Rally.

The new XF will be equipped with the existing engines, a 238 hp three litre V6 and 385 hp five litre V8. The XFR receives a 510 hp supercharged five litre V8 that will propel the cat from zero to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The range-topper receives a more aggressive styling with three air dams that dominate the front of the car and a set of cooling vents set into the bonnet either side of the bulge. New sill extensions run down the side of the car framed by redesigned 20-inch wheels. At the rear the new lights sit above a redesigned bumper complete with a subtle diffuser.

Happenings

The Jaguar XF's New Look

IN Jaguar, XF, XFR

With fresh styling and new technology, it looks as stunning as the concept that spawned it almost four years ago.

Built on a rear-wheel drive platform, it offers generous interior space for four occupants with a stretched greenhouse design. The LED lighting is one of the examples of new materials, electronics and dynamic systems we could see in future Lexus cars.

Happenings

Lexus Debuts New GT Hybrid Concept

IN Lexus, LF-Gh, Hybrid, Luxury, GT, Grand Tourer

A frugal car designed to cruise long distances in comfort, it is also a teaser for a new design language.

On the inside, there is more interior space with improved comfort and quality despite not having a large increase in the car's exterior size. Like the current Impreza, the new car will come in four and five door variants. Both of them feature a redesigned interior to improve field of vision and heighten the sense of spaciousness.

Happenings

Subaru Launches The New Impreza

IN Subaru, Impreza, FHI

After Subaru teased us with the concept, the final product certainly looks impressive!

The Pit

Monthly Giveaways! March/April 2011

IN Fast & Furious 5, UIP Singapore, Contests

Win yourself one of the five Fast & Furious 5 gift sets that consists of a pair of tickets to watch the special preview of 'Fast & Furious 5' on 4th May 2011, a poster, a water bottle and a t-shirt!