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The Renault Megane RS 265 did that to me. You see, I have an affinity for Renault’s modern hot-hatches; they’re special and unique, and you need to drive them (hard, most times) to truly appreciate these finely tuned cars. The first Megane RS I drove - yes, that oddly shaped one - was a blast and definitely began my whole entire love affair with hyper Renaults. Then came the hotter R26 — a few laps around Sepang made me wonder how on earth did Renault put together such a brilliant car.
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Go, Go Power Ranger | Renault Megane RS 265

IN Renault, Megane, RS, RS 265, Renault Megane RS 265, Wearnes Automotive

What to do when you want to keep your sweet handling hot-hatch ahead of the competition? Well according to Renault, you add more powaaaaaah…


Changes to the new Fluence are mostly cosmetic. The most obvious difference is the redesigned front end, proudly incorporating the Renault diamond front-and-centre, ala the new Clio. Expect future Renaults to also feature this new family face.
Happenings

Updated Renault Fluence Launched In Singapore

IN Renault, Fluence, Wearnes

Renault’s mid-sized sedan gets a refresh to keep it competitive in its segment.


The V40 was unveiled last year as an in-between successor of both the S40 and V50, but for some reason we only received the jacked-up Cross Country version. Now though, local dealer Wearnes Automotive has followed up on its success and launched the V40 R-Design, a lowered, sportier version of the car.
Happenings

Volvo Range Revamped

IN Volvo, V40, S60, V60, XC60, S80, R-Design, Facelift, Wearnes

It’s part-way through its models’ life cycles, and Volvo updates not one, but four of its models, as well as introduces the V40 R-Design to Singapore.


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


Then the flood came. And again. Suddenly, buying an SUV makes so much sense. Jokes aside, most SUV drivers made the decision to get one because of the simple fact that it provides the ability to look further ahead in congestions; a sense of security, in other words.
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Practically Speaking | Hyundai Santa Fe GDI 2.4

IN Hyundai, Santa Fe, GDI, Komoco Motors, Hyundai Santa Fe

The Santa Fe returns with a classier and bolder look, showcasing the Korean’s new upmarket identity; question is, does it drive as good?


“With the latest development in car ownership, we understand that Singaporean drivers are seeking to maintain their cars for as long as possible. Bosch offers advanced competencies in diagnostics to improve the accuracy in identifying faults within a vehicle, thus enabling technicians to make more well-informed repair work,” said Neo Chee Cheong, Regional Director of Workshop Concepts for Bosch in Asia Pacific. “With Bosch Car Service capable of serving the vast majority of car makes and models, we are confident that motorists will appreciate the availability of quality automotive maintenance and repair solutions coupled with the accessibility of Caltex service stations.”
Happenings

First Bosch Car Service Workshop Now At Caltex East Coast Station

IN Caltex, Bosch, Service, Workshop, Station

Motorists in Singapore the first in Southeast Asia to experience Bosch’s Premium Car Services at Caltex


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.


The Ghibli is smaller, shorter, lighter, more dynamic, less expensive and more economical than the flagship Quattroporte and provides a cornerstone in Maserati’s plans to build 50,000 cars a year by 2015.
Happenings

Maserati’s All-New Ghibli Unveiled

IN Maserati, Ghibli, Quattroporte

The all-new Ghibli marks a turning point in Maserati’s history.


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.


The LF-LC’s main styling highlight is its one-piece glass roof, which incorporates both the front and rear windscreens and is supported by a lightweight, cantilevered pillar inspired from modern architecture. Framed by a deep aluminium surround, the ‘spindle’ grille’s mesh pattern gives it a 3D effect, while the L-shaped daytime running lights with vertical fog lamps suggest a sense of movement. A rear deck spindle grille design echoes the front of the LF-LC, with L-shaped tail lamps utilising inner lighting (inspired by a jet’s afterburner) creating a sense of depth and width.
Happenings

Lexus Showcases the LF-LC Concept Car In Singapore

IN Lexus, LF-LC, Hybrid, Concept, Display

Lexus dealer brings in its stunning LF-LC concept car for a limited time.


Every $30 nett spent gives customers a chance to try their luck with Caltex’s Lucky Star Promotion. Simply key your total expenditure and your vehicle’s registration number into the iPad mini at the service kiosks, and print out your lucky draw coupon and a set of 4 winning Lucky Numbers! If your slip has 4 Lucky Stars, or any permutation of your vehicle’s registration number, you win $100 and $500 Star Cash respectively. If you’re lucky enough, you might win $1,000 Star Cash, when your Lucky Numbers match up to those of your car.
Happenings

Count Your Lucky Stars With Caltex!

IN Caltex, Petrol, Fuel, Contest, Promotion

Stand a chance to drive off in a BMW 316i at any Caltex® Station


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.


With this new car come a couple of milestones for the Aston brand. Not only is it the most powerful soft-top Aston ever to leave the gates at Gaydon, it is also the stiffest, thanks to its all-carbonfibre bodywork, another Aston first. Happily, the company has eschewed the current folding hardtop trend and gone for a traditional triple-skin fabric roof that takes just 14 seconds to fold. Roof up or down, the Volante has 279 litres of bootspace, 50% more than the outgoing DBS Volante.
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


The whole 'alternative-fuelled cars' fever is pretty much still going on, and if there’s one car company that you have to thank for it all, well, it has to be Toyota. They may not be the first to mass-produce hybrid cars, but they definitely did a good job at commercialising this concept and also making it the way forward.
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The Electric Co | Audi A1 e-tron

IN Audi, A1, E-tron, Audi A1 e-tron, A1 e-tron, Ingolstadt, Audi Future Lab, Audi TSC

Audi let us briefly sample their innovative electric A1


The natural trade-off though, is in its ability to carve a corner. Despite how tall the Forester is, body roll is less prevalent than expected, no doubt thanks to the Boxer drivetrain’s low centre of gravity, but unless you really enjoy feeling a car at its limit no matter how easily reached it is (which I do), there’s not much reward to be gained from hustling it. The tyres are designed for low rolling resistance and hence give up very easily, running out of grip at even moderate speeds, while the electric steering, though light and easy to twirl at parking speeds, has a vague, non-linear response during the first few degrees of lock. On initial turn-in the steering feels overly light but after that it firms up, with nice weighting and progression through the rest of the turn.
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The Family Rocketship | Subaru Forester 2.0XT

IN Subaru, Forester, XT, Turbo, X-mode, AWD, Review

With the next generation of WRXes and STIs still at least a year or two away, it’s up to the 4th-generation Forester to uphold the turbocharged mantle in the Subaru stable.


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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.



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