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Considered the first pure asphalt round of the season, the Croatia Rally joined the WRC schedule two years ago and the varied roads around the country’s capital city, Zagreb, are already seen as some of the most challenging on the calendar.

With the service park located within Zagreb itself, the stages take place in the north of Croatia close to neighbouring Slovenia. The roads feature a wide variety of different asphalt types, which means that available grip is constantly shifting, while mud and rain can bring about further challenges. Some sections are technical and twisting, but many others are fast and flowing with jumps and crests.

Much of the route for this year is familiar from 2022. After the shakedown on Thursday morning and a ceremonial start in Zagreb that evening, Friday’s opening day action takes place just to the west of the city.

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Toyota Gazoo Racing makes asphalt return in Croatia

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team heads to the Croatia Rally for the fourth round of the 2023 FIA World Rally Championship season on April 21-23, 2023.

Markus Reiterberger (GER), Ilya Mikhalchik (UKR) and Jérémy Guarnoni (FRA) claimed third place at the opening event, which was the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, an extremely gruelling spectacle.

This was also the first podium for the new #37 BMW M 1000 RR, debuting on the track for the first time. Mikhalchik also posted the fastest lap time in it, clocking in at 1:35.751 minutes. The newly-formed Tecmas-MRP-BMW Racing Team enjoyed a perfect debut, claiming victory in the Superstock class.

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First podium finish of the season for BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team at 24 Hours Of Le Mans

IN BMW, Motorrad, World Endurance, 24 Hours, Le Mans

The BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team kicked off the FIM Endurance World Championship 2023 with a beautiful podium finish.

Following the endurance classics at Daytona and Sebring (both USA), this marks the first and shortest sprint race of the year.

Fresh from a podium finish at Sebring, BMW M Team RLL heads to California with momentum, and will again field two BMW M Hybrid V8s in the GTP class. Over in the GTD category, three BMW M4 GT3s will also line the starting grid.

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BMW Motorsport Joins Sprint Race Foray At The Start Of The IMSA Season

IN BMW Motorsport, IMSA, 2023, Season

The third race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season will take place on the street circuit at Long Beach (USA) on Saturday, 15th April 2023.

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New Maserati GranTurismo Takes Center Stage At Milan Design Week 2023

The new Maserati GranTurismo was an icon at the 2023 Milan Design Week, an annual international celebration of design attracting one of the most cosmopolitan and kaleidoscopic audiences in the world.

At the season-opening race, which was the 1000 Miles of Sebring, perfect team operations, exceptional driver consistency and smart tyre management delivered a one-two victory over a packed Hypercar field featuring other legendary endurance racing marques, such as Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, and Porsche.

Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López held the advantage in the drivers’ standings after their victory at Sebring in the #7 GR010 Hybrid. Reigning World Champions, and last year’s Le Mans winners, Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa began their title defence with a close second-place finish.

After the unique challenges over the bumps in Sebring a month ago, Portimão marks the start of an important and intense European-based preparation period prior to the Le Mans 24 Hours, which includes the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps at the end of April.

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Toyota Gazoo Racing Prepares For Portimão Showdown

Toyota Gazoo Racing aims to maintain its dominant start to the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season when it competes in Europe for the first time this year, at the 6 Hours of Portimão.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: The all-new BMW M2 may be positioned as the ‘baby’ M, the smaller, perhaps even lesser sibling to the M3 sedan and M4 coupe that it shoes its engine with. This M2 might be 50hp down from the Competition variants of the latter pair, but 460hp in a two-door coupe that’s barely larger than a MINI is certainly nothing to sniff at…

Put into context, the all-new BMW M2 makes more horsepower than the 996-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S from 2001 which, had all-wheel drive.

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2023 BMW M2 MAKES DRIVING FUN AGAIN

IN BMW, M2, G87

The all-new BMW M2 with a manual gearbox reminds us of what we’ll be missing while simultaneously showing us what to expect

The GR010 Hybrid #7 of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López bounced back from a practice accident on Thursday to take victory after a hard-fought 239 laps at the home of endurance racing in the United States.

After a tense race-long battle at the front, World Champions and 2022 Le Mans winners Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley and Ryo Hirakawa also clinched a perfect result for Toyoto Gazoo Racing by finishing second in the #8 GR010 Hybrid, with a gap of just 2.168 seconds.

Relentless consistency, flawless team operations and strong tyre management combined as Toyota Gazoo Racing overcame the challenge of new Hypercar rivals from Cadillac, Ferrari and Porsche. Toyota managed to lap all competitors twice, earning the team’s 40th WEC victory.

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TOYOTA GAZOO Racing secures Sebring 1-2

IN TOYOTA, GAZOO Racing, Secures, Sebring, 1-2

Toyota Gazoo Racing dominated the opening round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), securing a 1-2 victory in the 1000 Miles of Sebring in the face of strong Hypercar competition.

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SPOTV kickstarts 2023 MotoGPTM Season with free trial on SPOTV NOW

IN SPOTV, 2023 MotoGPTM, Season, Free trial, SPOTV NOW

Sports fans in Southeast Asia are in for a treat as leading sports entertainment platform, SPOTV, kicks off the new MotoGPTM season this week.

This is a tried and tested formula from Mercedes - take a loud boisterous engine, throw it into one of their cars, and magic happens. In the past, this would have meant a guzzling V8 or V12, with lots of other performance trinkets that turn their cars into undercover street weapons.

However, due to tighter emission standards and the quest for cleaner cars, Mercedes has replaced this formula with smaller displacements. The new Mercedes CLS 53 for example now comes with a smaller turbocharged inline-6 banger.

It still retains its four-wheel drive system and other performance parts, but is it enough to still be worthy of its AMG title?

Downsized engine, upsized fun

Happenings

Mercedes CLS 53 - Regal Rowdiness

IN Mercedes, CLS 53, Regal, Rowdiness

Want something that can pounce on most supercars on the road, and wake up the entire neighbourhood, whilst still looking discreet? Let me introduce you to the Mercedes CLS 53.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are undoubtedly the future for the automobile – at least for the next decade anyways, until governments and manufacturers come around to e-fuels…

However until then, if or when, the car industry is firmly committed to producing EVs. Like everyone else, I’m all for anything that is an improvement over whatever it replaces and so EVs ticks almost all the boxes.

One very big box that remains unchecked, however, is the business of charging. If you are an apartment dweller like me, who doesn’t have regular access to a personal wall box or is using your EV for a road trip, then you’ll know that you have to set up an account with the charging provider, and store your credit card number. And since there are several operators, it would be prudent to hold several accounts to minimize the chances of not being able to charge your EV when need to.

Oh, on road trips, charging stops have to be planned lest you be stranded with a dead EV.

Compare this with the convenience of refuelling conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars. The drive down the I-5 to Los Angeles takes you through one of the most uninhabited places in California. Yet, you could still find a gas station with no more than 25 miles between them.

You can drive up to any station, use any method of payment, including cash – imagine that, fill up and be on your way for the next 400 miles or so. All in 10 minutes or less.

While EV charging technology is getting faster, and over time will be more common, the business of paying for the charge is ridiculously complicated to paying at the pump. No amount needed, just hand over your money and go. How is this progress?

Okay, I’m sure someone is working on making EV charging more convenient. Wake me up when September ends.

Testing the hybrid theory

Until charging an EV becomes as convenient as refuelling, perhaps hybrid cars will be relevant in the sense that they offer all the advantages of an EV without the drawbacks. This proved to be the case when I drove a 2023 BMW 330e from Los Gatos to Los Angeles.

The car was chosen on the assumption that its 107hp electric motor would be sufficient for pottering around the city while the 181hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine would have the legs to handle the endless stretches of Interstate Freeways without breaking a sweat. Working in tandem with the electric motor, there’s a combined output of 288hp and 310Nm at its driver’s disposal.

Over 300 miles or so of interstate driving, the motor, along with regenerative inertia and braking would have plenty of time to charge up the batteries so I essentially could cruise in the city.

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2023 BMW 330e xDrive: The Really Easy e

IN BMW, 330e

A drive from Silicon Valley to Los Angeles shows why plug-in hybrids still make sense in a growing EV world.

Formula 1 is back after the winter break, and this season promises more action and close fights. Aston Martin, aside from their new signing with Fernando Alonso, will be showcasing its ultra-luxury SUV, the DBX707, as the official FIA Medical Car for Formula 1.

The DBX707 is the no-compromise, fully loaded variant of the DBX, and has received significant engine, transmission, suspension, and brake upgrades. These upgrades make it the (at the time of writing) the most powerful SUV on the planet.

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Aston Martin unleashes the DBX707 For the Formula 1 2023 Season

IN Aston Martin, DBX707, Formula 1, 2023

Aston Martin DBX707, the world’s most powerful luxury SUV, is the new Official FIA Medical Car of Formula 1.

Lamborghini returns to the ice in Livigno with Esperienza Neve, a yearly event which sees guests test-drive some beautiful machinery.

Hosted in the beautiful setting of the Alps, this event is accompanied by Lamborghini Accademia drivers, including Factory Driver Leonardo Pulcini and numerous Super Trofeo drivers.

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Ice & Snow Meets Raging Bulls - Lamborghini Esperienza Neve 2023

IN Lamborghini, Snow, Ice, Esperienza, Neve, 2023, Driving

Ever wanted to hoon some ice-cold Lamborghinis around an ice circuit?

The name previously existed on one of BMW’s most potent compact performance cars. It would take a very special car to be able to properly wear the CS title again, and thankfully it seems that BMW has done it. What they have created, is a formidable four-wheel-drive monster.

This limited-edition road-worthy track weapon shows off an uprated version of the BMW M3’s 3.0-litre turbo straight 6, producing an extremely respectable 542bhp. That’s 39 horses more than the ‘standard’ M3 Competition, and now the M3 CS has the same output as the BMW M4 CSL. Couple that to a plentiful supply of torque, which is rated at 650Nm, and you get a potent street weapon.

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BMW Launches New Limited-Edition M3 CS

IN BMW, M3, CS, Limited, Edition, Reveal, Launch

BMW has revived an old badge for a new car, and boy is it an exciting one. This is the brand-new BMW M3 CS.

Since I was a wee little boy, I was always enthralled by Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars. Probably because I am Asian, and probably due to games such as Need For Speed. I can still remember the day I first laid eyes on a Mitsubishi Evolution 8. The curves, the angles, god I was in love.

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On The Ground: Tokyo Auto Salon 2023

IN Tokyo, Auto, Salon, 2023, 2024, Nissan, GT-R, NISMO, Show, Toyota, Japan

If you’re like me and love all things JDM, brace yourself for three days of awesomeness.

The centre showpiece of Porsche's 75th anniversary is the unveiling of a new Vision 357 concept. This sleek concept pays homage to the original 356 first created in 1948 by Ferdinand Porsche.

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Porsche Reveals New Vision 357 For Its 75th Anniversary

IN Porsche, Vision, 357, 75th, Anniversary, Celebrations

Porsche is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023 with celebrations kicking off around the world.

The Automobili Lamborghini Museum has officially reopened following a redesign and new layout. This reopening marks the start of Lamborghini’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, and an important year ahead for the Sant'Agata Bolognese company.

The museum has changed its name and been entirely remodelled, both in its modernised layout and design and in its exhibits. The newly-created exhibition “THE FUTURE BEGAN IN 1963”, retraces the most emblematic eras and representative moments that mark the history of Lamborghini's first 60 years.

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Museo Automobili Lamborghini Refreshed With New Anniversary Exhibition

IN Lamborghini, Museo, Automobili, Sant'Agata Bolognese, Museum

Lamborghini is kicking off its 60th-anniversary celebrations in Sant'Agata Bolognese with a new exhibition titled “The Future Began in 1963”.

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Komoco Holdings Is Alfa Romeo's New Singapore Distributor

IN Komoco, Alfa Romeo, Stellantis

April 2023 will see things kick off with Alfa Romeo making a comeback after a temporary hiatus

It’s been 16 years since the Nissan R35 GT-R made its debut back in 2007. Not many cars survive that long of a production run, but the boffins at Nissan surprised the world again with the launch of the 2024 GT-R model year, after revealing earlier in 2022 that the R35 GT-R will be ending production.

Ageing chassis infrastructure did not stop engineers from chucking both mechanical and cosmetic improvements to the GT-R. For starters, the biggest reaction from the crowd at its launch was the inclusion of new daytime running lights (DRLs), making the GT-R’s front fascia look more futuristic.

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The GT-R is back! 2024 Nissan GT-R Unveiled With Two Special Editions

IN Tokyo, Auto, Salon, 2023, 2024, Nissan, GT-R, NISMO

The R35 GT-R doesn’t seem to want to retire, and Nissan proudly unveiled their latest 2024 edition to the world at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2023.

Here it is in all its stunning glory, the G81 M3 Touring. With 510hp and 650Nm of torque, 0-100km/h is dispatched in just 3.6 seconds while offering enough space for that Ikea and Giant shopping run. What's not to love? This will likely be the swansong of the pure internal combustion engine (ICE) M3 though, so strike while the iron is hot.

Subaru WRX Sedan & Wagon

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11 Petrolhead-Apropos Highlights of the Singapore Motorshow 2023

IN Singapore Motorshow, 2023

We're glad to see our local Motorshow back after a three-year hiatus, still with offerings for the hardcore petrolhead

The Kia Stinger first made its debut way back in January 2017, and it took the world by storm. A Korean sports sedan that wants to challenge the likes of other prominent German brands, were they insane? Oh yes they were, and it truly paid off.

Designated as a performance liftback sedan, the Korean model actually became a worthy opponent to some more well-known German cars. Think something something S5, M5 and E43 .

Even with impressive performance figures and practicality, sales of the Stinger were lacklustre worldwide. Competitive pricing by others meant the Stinger never got the spotlight it deserved, and the fact it has a “Kia” badge on the front didn’t help either.

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2023 Kia Stinger Tribute Edition Marks End of Production Run

IN Kia, Stinger, Tribute, Edition, Final, 1000

Limited to 1,000 units, say goodbye to one of the most underrated sports sedans on the market.