Search Result

BP — The previous 3 generations of MX-5 had a design that was quite cute, rounded and smiley, which clearly evolved over the years. Why then did the ND's styling suddenly change to something quite aggressive and angry? Nakayama — Of course, compared to the previous generations, the design is more aggressive, but I personally believe the most important thing is not how it compares to the older cars. When you look at the car without prior knowledge about the previous models, whether it is beautiful or aggressive or not, is not the most important thing. I believe that when we introduced the first-generation model, among all the players in the industry, car design had certain tendencies. So maybe every player had a much more pretty or softer face. But now, so many players have a much more aggressive face and complex design. So I think that compared to the other players today, the design is not that aggressive.
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part II | Masashi Nakayama, Chief Designer

IN Mazda, MX-5, Interview, Chief, ND, Designer, Kodo

In the second of this two-part series, we sat down with the new MX-5’s Chief Designer to learn more about the car’s drastic change in appearance, and the role designers play in creating a new car.


However the Civic has also had its share of lows, most recently with progress stagnating after discontinuation of the ‘FD’ generation in 2011, as rivals came out with powerful turbocharged engines, more tech-toys and snazzier looks. For 2016 though, the Civic is all-new from the ground up and if looks are anything to go by, this is a proper revitalisation of the Civic with swept back LED headlights, a wider stance and a sleek fastback profile.
Happenings

Perennial Favourite

IN Honda, Civic, US, Sedan, Turbo, New

Now in its tenth generation, the Civic returns revised from the ground up to compete with a new generation of small family sedans


But boy oh boy how things have changed for Jaguar now with their latest compact executive sedan. I strongly urge you: If you are about to head to either BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi showroom to confirm your order for the 3 Series, C-Class or A4 and hand over the deposit cheque, hold on to it first and tell the salesperson you intend to ‘sleep on it for another night’.
New

Jaguar XE 2.0 Prestige | Cat's Out Of The Bag

IN Jaguar, XE, Jaguar XE, Jaguar XE sedan, Jaaaaag, Wearnes Automotive

Jaguar’s latest XE poses a real threat to the more established Germans — hold on to your chequebook first


BP — If there was one location anywhere on Earth you could drive this car, the perfect road for this car, where would it be? Yamamoto — In Japan we have four seasons; in spring we have the cherry blossoms, in summer there is lots of sunshine so you can drive the car along the coast or beach, in autumn you can enjoy the leaves changing colour in the mountains, and in winter there is snow, and you can wrap up in a scarf and enjoy the scenery. So I believe you can enjoy the drive no matter when or where. I'm sure that no matter where you live, you can find a perfect place, so I'd like for you to find the best for yourself in your own country!
Happenings

The Brains behind the MX-5 Part I | Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Programme Manager

IN Mazda, MX-5, Interview, Chief, ND

When the new Mazda MX-5 was launched here, two of the most important figures in its creation were in attendance. In the first of this two-part series, we had a chat with the car's Programme Manager.


The McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme is the ultra-exclusive ownership programme, offering specialist driver training, human performance and access to the McLaren racing simulator ahead of on track activity. This programme has been designed to prepare each driver mentally and physically, to allow them to fully exploit the abilities of the McLaren P1 GTR, which produces 986 bhp and runs on race-proven Pirelli slick tyres. The programme is completely bespoke, with each individual having a fully-tailored experience, working closely with a support team from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) comprising authentic professionals that have operated within the rarefied world of professional motor sport.
Motorsports

McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme Commences

IN McLaren, P1, P1 GTR, McLaren P1 GTR, McLaren Special Operations, MSO, McLaren P1 GTR Driver Programme

McLaren's bespoke race programme gives the lucky few a fully-tailored experience


And I’m saying this based on its price tag. The Passat 1.8 TSI in Highline spec here commands $156,300 with COE.
New

Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI | VW’s New Opus

IN Volkswagen, VW, Passat TSI, Passat, 1.8 TSI Highline, Large Sedan, Volkswagen Large Sedan

VW’s latest contender in the large sedan segment hits the right notes, but the only challenge now is to sway buyers into its direction


He clocks a good amount of mileage weekly, shuttling his wife and princess around. “Daddy duties, hence clocking high mileage is a norm”, he said with a wide smile when we met up with him.
The Pit

The Caltex Techron — Burnpavement Reader Survey

IN Caltex, Chevron, Caltex petrols, Caltex Singapore, Diesel, Caltex Diesel With Techron D, Techron, Techron fuels

Our final panelist, Benjamin Chew, fed his French MPV only Caltex Diesel with Tehcron D and came away with these...


Concluding the dialogue, AC Sam said
Happenings

Singapore Ride Safe 2015 - A Dialogue With Traffic Police

IN Singapore Ride Safe 2015, Use Your RoadSense, Traffic Police, Singapore Police Force, 2015, Road Safety

With approximately 145,000 motorcyclists in Singapore, the Traffic Police wants to do more to reach out to this group of road users


The latest 'ND' generation MX-5 was launched in Singapore at Eurokars' new $28 million Mazda Flagship Centre at Ubi, which will be a one-stop shop for customers with sales, servicing and spare parts services.
Happenings

A Sports Car Named Desire

IN Mazda, MX-5, Sports, Roadster, ND, New, KODO

The world's most popular sports car, the Mazda MX-5, is back in its fourth generation, with a promise to return to the basic joys of motoring.


Fast-forward to present day and the number of 911s running around is surprisingly huge — it’s everywhere, at every traffic light junction. You may call it the Corolla of the sports car world, but what the heck; it obviously proved to be a hit. Be it the 997 or current 991, fans just want one.
New

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Coupe | Subtlety Is Key

IN Porsche, 911, Porsche 911, 991, Carrera, Carrera GTS, GTS

If you’re big on the 911 and can’t decide which one to get for daily duties, the GTS might just be the one


“These enthusiasts are taking great care in building their optimum specification,” said Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director. “We expected those first in the queue, many of whom are owners of previous RS models, to be exacting about their requirements, and so it has proved, with many opting for motorsport-style Recaro shell front seats, 19-inch black forged alloy wheels, luxury pack, electric tilt/side sunroof and Ford SYNC2 navigation and sound system.”
Happenings

1,500 Orders Already Received For Focus RS

IN Ford, Focus, RS, Focus RS, 2016 Ford Focus RS

Ford’s all-new Focus RS has raced up to 1,500 orders from UK buyers alone - all without a single test drive being taken


At an exclusive VIP event at The Fullerton Hotel, titled 'A Drive Back in Time', over 100 guests, including prominent faces from the worlds of television, radio and business, took a round trip ride in a fleet of Audi A6s straight through Singapore's Civic District circa 1965.
Happenings

Travel back to 1965 with Audi

IN Audi, Singapore, SG50, Celebration, Jubilee,

Time to break out the rose-tinted glasses and catch a glimpse of Singapore life 50 years ago, thanks to Audi Singapore.


Sadly, this, the Evo X Final Edition, will be the model's swansong. After ten, well, evolutions, its storied 23-year history will be coming to an end. There will not be a replacement for the current Evo X (which has been in production since 2007), as Mitsubishi wants to move towards increased electrification and hybridisation of its cars.
Happenings

The Final Evolution

IN Mitsubishi, Evo, Lancer, Lancer Evolution, Final

Break out the tissue packets and say a teary farewell; the Mitsubishi Evo as we know and love it is going the way of the dodo.


In contrast, the interior is where the bulk of the revisions have been made. Like the refreshed CX-5 we tested recently, the clunky old radio and infotainment system has also been replaced with a new one called MZD Connect, which integrates music, Bluetooth and navigation capabilities onto a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen. This system is the same as found in the 2, 3 and CX-5, which means its various pros and cons are also present in the 6 — easy to use in general,with smart graphics, but with a very convoluted Navigation function. Check out our CX-5 review for more info.
New

The 6-iest Of Them All | Mazda 6 2.5 Luxury

IN Mazda, 6, Family, Sedan, Saloon, Luxury, Eurokars, Singapore

Who ever said that family sedans had to be dreary, humdrum and bloated looking?


One of the few sedans that you can get with rear-wheel drive, the new 3 Series has its old four-cylinder motor replaced by the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine found in the latest MINI Cooper. With a decent 136 bhp and 220 Nm at 4300 rpm there is virtually no change in the performance figures compared to the model it replaces. With the new engine however, the entry-level 3 Series is now up to 12 percent more efficient.
New

BMW 318i Sport | All about that Base

IN BMW, Performance Motors, 3 Series, 318i

BMW’s base model 3 Series is the choice for those who care about driving more than outright features.


With all that, the golden question that keeps ringing in my mind is simply, “Who would want to buy it then?”
New

Nissan Navara NP300 | Pick Me Up

IN Nissan, Navara, NP300, Nissan Navara NP300, Pick-up, Goods vehicle, Tan Chong International

Nissan’s civilized Navara now comes with creature comforts usually seen only in its sedans - is that a good enough reason to buy one?


Power gets to the road via a pair of 6-speed transmissions. An automatic is optional but the manual offers enough convenience features to make life easy, with features such as hill-start assist and automated rev matching. The latter is particularly useful, helping to prevent stalling and allowing quick, seamless downshifts.
Happenings

Modern Workhorse

IN Toyota, Hilux, Pickup, Rugged, SUV, 4x4

Now in its eighth generation, Toyota has thoroughly revised the Hilux with the same values of ruggedness and utility, but added a good dollop of everyday usability as well.


Say hello to Mike Frost: Mike works for Mobil 1 and his official job title is 'Racing Technical Advisor for McLaren-Honda'. His office is a small mobile laboratory in the McLaren pit garage, literally a cubicle-sized space amongst the various spare parts, tyres and mechanics' tools. It doesn't sound like much, but his role is an important one; he analyses and tests all the car's fluids and lubricants that are supplied by Mobil — such as engine and gearbox oils, and hydraulic fluid. All these oils share the same purpose — to increase efficiency by reducing friction, resulting in increased performance and reliability.
Motorsports

The Winning Formula

IN Mobil, Mobil 1, Esso, Formula 1, Formula One, Fuel, Oil, Engine, McLaren, Honda, Team, UK, Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore GP, F1

The drivers may grab all the headlines, but there so many more heroes in Formula 1, some of whom you never knew existed.


A company cannot survive on building niche sports cars alone; hence the Giulia wades into arguably the most hotly contested segment in the industry, butting heads with BMW’s 3 Series and Jaguar’s XE. First impressions are strong, with the Giulia sporting a long hood, short deck profile that can only come from a rear wheel drive architecture. A long wheelbase helps ensure an even 50/50 weight balance and carries a profile sporting the trademark Trefoil nose, voluptuous lines and narrow, angular tail-lights that give a distinctive look. The drive layout and weight balance hark back to the Giulia’s spiritual forefather, the 75/Milano, which was the high point of dynamics before Alfa went to the dark side with nose heavy, front wheel drive cars.
Happenings

Statement Of Intent

IN Alfa, Alfa Romeo, Giulia, Sedan, Sports, V6, Turbo, Cloverleaf, Quadrifoglio, QV

Set to compete in today’s well-established realm of luxury sport sedans, the Giulia melds Alfa Romeo’s rich heritage with modern engineering, marking a return to form.


The launch was a rousing affair, thanks to the presence of Toro Rosso Formula One driver Max Verstappen, who was on hand not only to unveil the car, but also race against the finalists from a Red Bull F1 racing simulator competition, as well as greet and sign autographs for dozens of racing fans.
Happenings

Little French Cutie

IN Renault, Clio, Torro Rosso, F1, Hatchback, French, France, Launch, Diesel, Turbodiesel

Better late than never, the latest Renault Clio finally makes its local debut, at a launch event in conjunction with the Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 team.



© 2015 BURNPAVEMENT