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Instead what it really is, is the sort of car that you want to go cruising around in, comfortably, with some company in tow. If you want something that offers a little sportiness, you’d have to look at Porsche’s 911; but at the cost of having only yourself and a travel partner. To carry extra human passengers at the back would be near impossible, even for short distances; they have to be legless. Or dwarfs. Not from this planet, in a nutshell.
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Mercedes-Benz E300 Coupe | Presentable Presence

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, MB, E300, E300 Coupe, Coupe, E-Class, Daimler, Cycle & Carriage, 2018

What’s German, is svelte and has presence? Meet the 2-door version of the highly loved E-Class


For car guys, we’re always looking for cars that are value-for-money. We want a car that has everything in one package; namely straight-line performance, handling, practicality, aesthetics and good build quality. If you could afford another car, you definitely could just throw practicality out the window and look for a, ahem, less exciting car for that particular duty.
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Seat Leon Cupra | Spanish Fly

IN Seat, Leon, Cupra, Seat Leon Cupra, Seat Leon, Hot-hatch, Seat Centre Singapore, Spanish, 2018

Seat's Leon Cupra is such a fun hot-hatch to drive; with dual characters, it doesn't compromise on practicality


Well, you get the idea as to where I’m going with this.
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Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo | Genre Buster

IN Porsche, Panamera, Sport Turismo, Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, Panamera 4, Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, Stuttgart Auto,

Porsche’s new Panamera Sport Turismo puts the S in the word 'sport'; even behaving like a hot-hatch, than a tourer, when you want it to


A little steep for most, I agree. But what if I tell you there’s an alternative that you could consider?
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Volkswagen Tiguan TSI R-Line | Hot-hatch On Stilts

IN Volkswagen, Tiguan, R-Line, VW, SUV, Volkswagen Tiguan TSI R-Line, 220 bhp, Volkswagen Centre SIngapore, 2017

What looks like an SUV but acts like a hot-hatch? This one…


But every once in a while, car manufacturers do churn out an SUV that stands out. Or excite, to say the least. When you come to think about it again, this is indeed a big challenge as people who buy SUVs generally just need a big, tall car to move around from point A to point B, and nothing else.
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Infiniti Q30 2.0T Sport | 2-in-1

IN Infiniti, Q30, Infiniti Q30, Compact Crossover, 2017, Wearnes Automotive

Not much attention had been given to the Q30, but surprisingly, it does have good things to offer


What is this?Meet the new convertible Cooper S. It’s the fourth variant - in the current F56-generation MINI line up - to be introduced here, after the Cooper S, Cooper S 5-door and Cooper S Clubman.
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Quick Bite: MINI Cooper S Convertible

IN MINI, Cooper S, Convertible, BMW, MINI Cooper S Convertible, Cooper, Turbocharged, Eurokars Habitat, BMW Asia

Without a solid metal roof, can the Convertible provide equal driving fun?


That said, the Jetta is a major departure from its conservatively styled Bora (remember that one?). Walk around it, and you’ll notice how its sporty frontage is akin to a bull glaring fiercely, waiting to charge towards the matador with the VW emblem making itself known. Those new headlamps with LED daytime running light however, only come standard with this top-tier Highline version by the way. Also, Volkswagen redesigned the front bumper to improve the car's overall aerodynamics - thankfully, it still remains handsome…
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Right Proportions | Volkswagen Jetta Highline

IN Volkswagen, VW, Jetta, Highline, Jetta Highline, Sedan, Veedub, Volkswagen Group Singapore

Can the latest facelift exercise make the Jetta any more desirable?


And for some — myself included — that simply, well, sucks; because along with the evolution, the cost of buying and maintaining one (servicing, petrol, road tax and insurance) has become expensive. A classic example is a fellow scribe who, having jumped from a humble Suzuki Ignis Sport - when his COE ended - to a Mark VI Golf GTI, ‘fainted and had to be revived with Axe oil rubbed into my nose’ (his exact words) the first time he pumped a full tank of petrol; the same thing happened when he did its second and third refuel. I’m equally sure most of you, who went through a similar jump, could associate with the similar scenario.My point is this: hot-hatches have grown in more ways than one.
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Flashback | Renault Clio R.S Sport

IN Renault, Clio, RenaultSport, R.S, Clio R.S, Sport, Wearnes Automotive

So the French is at it again giving us a playful little hatchback; but isn’t overly loud this time around


Developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and US, the new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. It will be the 30th car to wear the legendary RS badge, following such technology trendsetters as the 16-valve 1970 Escort RS1600, the turbocharged Sierra RS Cosworth of 1985 (oh, and remember its radical aerodynamics?), and the four-wheel-drive 1992 Escort RS Cosworth. The all-new Focus RS is also the first ever RS model that will be sold around the world and produced for all markets at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant beginning late this year.
Happenings

Ford's New Focus RS

IN Ford, Focus, RS, Ford Focus RS

Listen up all hot-hatch fans: Ford's all-wheel drive Focus RS all set to thrill!


Which makes it a little bit of a problem for BMW. Because a product like this is so out-of-the-box, not everyone would want to embrace it wholeheartedly. Trust us, we’ve done our questionnaire and not many would like to sign up for this Bavarian hot-hatch. After all, us hot-hatch fans grew up with front-wheel drive, manual transmission type. So a wholeheartedly complete hot-hatch should remain that way; Renault’s Megane RS is the finest example.
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Director's Cut | BMW M135i

IN BMW, M, BMW M, BMW Asia, M, M135i, BMW M135i

We've driven the M135i last year and it even made it to Burnpavement’s ‘Surprises of 2013’ list; this time, we sample a kitted M135i. Sound the alarm...


Looks wise, the V40 R-Design is truly an exciting car that screams
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Designed By A Rebel | Volvo V40 T4 R-Design

IN Volvo, V40, R-Design

Volvo’s answer to Audi’s S-line and BMW's M Sport turns the nondescript V40 into an able performer with the looks to boot.


On a separate note, the A250’s suspension system seems to have been set with the enthusiastic driver in mind. If you’re expecting C-Class level, the A250’s rather stiff setting might need some getting used to. It could just be yours truly, but when going over bumps, there’s that uncanny feeling the rear’s independent suspension has been mated to a stiffer pair of spring compared to the fronts.
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A+ For Effort | Mercedes-Benz A250 Sport

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, A-Class, A250, A250 Sport, Sport

So the A250 Sport is marketed as the sportiest A-Class, with promising on-paper digits — but overcoming the looks, does it fall into hot-hatch territory?


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…


Stomp on the pedal from standstill and the new GTI will accelerate to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 246 km/h. The GTI Performance will edge ahead a little at 250 km/h and 6.4 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h.
Happenings

New Volkswagen Golf GTI To Grace Geneva Motor Show

IN Volkswagen, Golf, GTI, Geneva Motor Show

Following the news on Volkswagen's GTD diesel hot-hatch, their iconic GTI has officially been announced and will make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show.


“Powered by the M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology, the impressive engine found on both the BMW X6 M50d and BMW X5 M50d is equipped with three turbochargers and advanced common-rail injection system. With its outstanding abilities, we trust it will only be a matter of time before this new engine enjoys the highest level of recognition just as its fellow award-winning siblings have.” added said Mr Fiorentinos.
Happenings

BMW M Performance Automobiles launched in Singapore.

IN BMW, X5 M, X6 M, Munich Automobiles, M Performance, M Performance Automobiles, MPA

With a high-powered SUV range and a scorching hot-hatch in its stable, M Performance Automobiles (MPA for short) has landed on our shores with a big bang.


Like all six Golf GTI generations before it, the seventh generation concept car being shown in Paris is distinguished from other Golf models by numerous additional equipment features and classic GTI insignia. Overall, the seventh generation Golf is also visually more dynamic than the previous one. The objective of the designers was to develop an even more striking and sporty character into the new Golf GTI - the goal was to give the GTI a lower, wider image with a more challenging character. Volkswagen Design developed numerous individual, detailed solutions for the new Golf GTI and integrated them harmoniously into the overall visual concept. Important here is the fact that the GTI-specific design elements are not simply
Happenings

Volkswagen Golf GTi Concept

IN Volkswagen, Golf, GTI, E35, 2.0, TSI, Concept, Paris Motor Show

Set to be launched in early 2013, the new Volkswagen Golf GTI will be powered by the engine from the EA888 series with 220 ps, and 230 ps if opted with the factory performance pack.


Happenings

Swift Sport Supplement Is Up On N.GINE

IN Suzuki, Swift, Swift Sport, Champion Motors, N.GINE, E-Supplement

Our very first Special Issue is a 36-page E-Supplement on Suzuki's latest hot-hatch! Check it out now!


From the rear, the new Tiguan immediately looks more 'manly' with the new tail-lamps. The curvy ones have made way for a simpler, but better design that feature VW's signature L-shape LEDs.
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King Of The Hill | Volkswagen Tiguan Sport 2.0 TSI

IN Volkswagen, VW, Tiguan, 2.0, TFSI, TSI, DSG, SUV, Sport

Back in the 90's, the Subaru Forester was an SUV that stood out from the rest. Grippy, fast and sweet to drive, it was the best sporty SUV out there. Now though, there's a new king of the hill...


The rear lamps also embody the new direction Volkswagen is taking with their characteristic M-shaped lights. A convenient feature we all can appreciate is the remote tail-gate function that can be opened from the key fob, very useful when you have your hands full.
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Sports-Purpose Vehicle | Volkswagen Sharan 2.0 TSI DSG

IN VW, Volkswagen, Sharan, 2.0 TSI, MPV

The Volkswagen Sharan feels like a overgrown hot-hatch. Which is a good thing, because this 7-seater is made for the grown-up who doesn't want to ... er ... grow up.


Undoubtedly, the technical aspect of the car is one of the most important. In almost all driving situations, the 16-valve four-cylinder turbo diesel engine offers the strength of a V8 sports car — a little lazy initially but once you hit that sweet spot, in the case of the GTD it’s before 2,500rpm, the world around you just turns into a blur.
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Golfing Around All Day Long | Volkswagen Golf GTD TDI

IN Volkswagen, VW, Golf, GTD, GTi, TSI, DSG, Caltex, Techron, Techron D, Diesel

When given the keys to Volkswagen’s diesel-powered hot hatchback, our Associate Editor deliberately spent his time driving around the whole of Singapore.



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