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Happenings

Sharper STI

IN Subaru, STI, Impreza, S207, Japan, Subaru Technica International

With turbo power and all-wheel drive the Subaru STI is already adept at covering ground quickly. The new S207 takes that formula and concentrates it further.


Designers drew inspiration from vintage roadsters. The MX-5 Spyder features a 'bikini top', Mercury Silver exterior, carbon fibre aero kit and grille intake, lightweight 17-inch Yokohama Advan Racing RS II wheels and a Spinneybeck Prima natural full-grain leather interior. The MX-5 Speedster, meanwhile, pares the roadster back to the bare essentials — it even has a deflector in place of the windscreen — for an old school wind-in-the-hair sports car experience. Mazda took its weight-cutting passion to extremes with for example carbon fibre doors and seats as well as custom 16-inch Rays 57 Extreme Gram Lights wheels. The Speedster tips the scales at only 943 kg, and is also 30 mm lower than the production MX-5 thanks to an adjustable coilover suspension.
Modified

SEMA 2015 Las Vegas: Lightweight MX-5 Concepts Revealed

IN Mazda, MX-5, MX-5 Spyder, MX-5 Speedster, SEMA 2015, Las Vegas

MX-5 Spyder and MX-5 Speedster concepts debut at 2015 SEMA show in Las Vegas; Mazda North America collaborated with various aftermarket parts suppliers to create both concepts


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.


Similar changes have been made to the car as compared with the original — the windscreen has been replaced with a minimalist carbonfibre 'aero' screen, the nose cone, front cycle wings and rear wings are made of carbonfibre, and the body is finished as standard in bare aluminium; the omission of paint alone saves six kilograms.
Happenings

Bare Bones

IN Caterham, Seven, 7, Superlight, Track, Anniversary, Edition, Special, UK

Caterham are known to make some of the most fearsome road legal cars around — even beating a Bugatti Veyron around the Top Gear track! And they all owe their lineage to one model: the Superlight


The Méhari was produced from 1968-1987, and saw use not only as a commercial vehicle but also as a military one. Just as the Mini Moke had a basic, roofless and doorless body on top of mechanicals from a BMC Mini, so too was the Méhari based on the running gear of the Citroen Dyane (itself a development of the iconic 2CV). Its ABS plastic body made the Méhari even lighter than the 2CV (just 535kg), which made it an excellent vehicle for light off-roading. As a result, the Méhari became something of a cult classic in rural and seaside France.
Happenings

Prickly heat

IN Citroen, C4 Cactus, Cactus M, Concept, Crossover, Frankfurt

The C4 Cactus has been one of Citroen's quirkier creations of late, with innovative use of plastics in its AirBump technology. Its latest concept, the Cactus M, takes that one step further.


Projek

I Bought One: Lotus Elise 1.8 (M)

About six months ago, we decided to swap our Golf GTI for this sexy little number. Here's a quick intro to the car we got.


Adapted from its production sibling, the 911 GT3 R features the distinctive double-bubble roof, and the wheelbase which has been lengthened by 8.3 centimetres compared to the previous generation. This ensures a more balanced weight distribution and more predictable handling particularly in fast corners, in comparison to the previous GT3 R.
Motorsports

Lighter And Faster: The New 911 GT3 R

IN Porsche, 911, GT3, GT3 R, 911 GT3, 911 GT3 R, GT3 Cup, GT3 Class

Based on the new 911 GT3 RS production sports car, Porsche has designed a customer sport race car for GT3 category racing around the world: the 911 GT3 R.


Based on the Veloster RM shown at last year’s Busan Motor Show, the new RM15 features a host of modifications that boost the latest model’s performance, handling and efficiency. Total weight is reduced to 1,260 kg (a saving of 195 kg compared to an all-steel structure), weight distribution is more evenly balanced (43% front, 57% rear), the center of gravity is just 491 mm from the ground and aerodynamic downforce is 24 kg at 200 km/h, aided by a competitive lift-coefficient. Integrated sub-frame (front & rear) and a WRC-inspired roll-cage add extra stiffness to the structure, providing a firm foundation for the aluminium double-wishbone suspension, enabling it to give precise responses and consistent handling characteristics. RM15 rides on stylish 19-inch diameter mono block forged alloy wheels fitted with 235/35 R19 front and 265/35 R19 rear tyres.New vertical air-intake placed ahead of the rear wheel arches increase cooling airflow within the engine bay and enhances powertrain efficiency.
The Pit

Meet Hyundai's Mid-Engined 'RM15'

IN Hyundai, Veloster RM, T-GDI, Veloster Turbo, Coupe, RM15, Racing Midship 2015

Latest concept demonstrates Hyundai Motor’s continued commitment to advanced vehicle technologies and materials; aluminum core structure with CFRP body panels minimizes vehicle weight


From Zhuhai, the Cup heads to the Korea International Circuit in South Korea, prior to making its debut in Chinese Taipei, at the Penbay International Circuit. From there, the Cup travels to Malaysia in August, prior to marking another first for the series with two race weekends in support of the FIA World Endurance Championship. At Fuji from October 10 to 11 and at the Audi R8 LMS Cup season finale in Shanghai from October 31 to November 1, fans of the brand with the Four Rings will have a chance to see the Audi motorsport family unite, with the Cup and the Audi Sport WEC team racing alongside each other.
Motorsports

Season Starts For The Audi R8 LMS Cup

IN Audi, R8, LMS, Audi R8 LMS, R8 LMS, 2015

Now with added drama courtesy of 'Super Pole', standing starts and new car technology


As testing continues, the McLaren P1 GTR looks set to be one of the fastest to ever wear the famous McLaren ‘speed mark’. Through significant weight-saving measures and track-optimisation of the petrol-electric powertrain, McLaren P1 GTR will boast a power-to-weight ratio increase in excess of 10 percent over the road-going model, to more than 690 bhp per tonne.
Happenings

McLaren's P1 GTR To Debut At Geneva

IN McLaren, P1, GTR, McLaren P1, McLaren Technology Centre, Woking

An excess of 690 bhp per tonne power-to-weight ratio achieved through motorsport derived weight saving and powertrain optimisation


This concept of front mid-engine and transmission in transaxle configuration makes for a beneficial weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent between the front and rear axle. In conjunction with the vehicle's low centre of gravity, this translates into extremely agile handling and permits high cornering speeds. With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.3 kg per hp, the Mercedes-AMG GT self-confidently lines up alongside the very best in its segment. The sports car also sets a new benchmark figure for fuel economy: fuel consumption of 10.8 km/L (combined).
Happenings

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT: 0-100 km/h In Less 4 Seconds!

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, AMG GT, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, AMG

An all-new aluminium chassis sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG and available in two variants offering 462 bhp and 510 bhp; here are some facts.


The new C-Class has grown in terms of size: with an 80 mm, 95 mm and 40 mm increase in wheelbase, length and width respectively over its predecessor (the W204), the new car (W205) now offers a more spacious interior. Even the boot capacity has increased to 480-litres (previously 475-litres).
Happenings

Orders For Mercedes-Benz C-Class Now Open

IN Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes, Merc, C-Class, C 180, C 200, C 250, Cycle & Carriage

We are very sure some of you have been waiting eagerly - well, here it is now!


The GFRP spring (left) next to a 'traditional' steel type Whereas a steel spring for an executive class model weighs nearly 2.7 kilograms, a GFRP spring with the same properties weighs approximately 1.6 kilograms. Together, the four GFRP springs reduce the weight by roughly 4.4 kilograms, half of which pertains to the unsprung mass, helping the suspension to react more quickly to changes in the road surface and to absorb imperfections more effectively.The core of the springs consists of long glass fibres twisted together and impregnated with epoxy resin. A machine wraps additional fibres around this core - which is only a few millimetres in diameter - at alternating angles of plus and minus 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis. These tension and compression plies mutually support one another to optimally absorb the stresses acting on the component.The GFRP springs can be precisely tuned to their respective task, and the material exhibits outstanding properties. It does not corrode, even after stone chipping, and is impervious to chemicals such as wheel cleaners. Last but not least, production requires far less energy than the production of steel springs.
Happenings

Newsflash: Audi's New Lightweight Springs

IN Audi, Vorsprung durch Technik, Lightweight springs, Glass fibre-reinforced polymer, GFRP

Audi is investing heavily in travelling lightly to boost efficiency with new polymer suspension springs


New

Volkswagen's Category A Knockouts

IN Volkswagen Group Singapore, Volkswagen, VW, Golf, Cross Polo, Beetle, Touran, TDI, TSI, DSG, Jetta

Punching above their weight, a selection of Volkswagen's new line-up of Category A cars was offered to the media over a two-day drive trip to Kuantan, Malaysia.


Police has breathed new life into the label by pairing iconic brand elements with new design features. Frames are crafted from acetate and ultra-light aluminium in trendy pop art colours, and the Police logo reinterpreted with a gothic style trim applied on metal inserts or as the iconic winged 'P'.
The Pit

Police Launches 2013 collection

IN Poice, Aviator, Shades, Lifestyle

Sin Kwang Optical has launched the 2013 Collection of sun glasses from Police.


Unveiled to clients and family during Vanishing Point 2013, the International Pagani gathering, the Revolucion would be the ultimate Zonda. Just like the Cinque and the R, the Revolucion has a Carbo-tanium central monocoque which weighs it in at 1070 kg. This lightweight shell is pushed around courtesy of an 800 bhp 6.0-liter V12, resulting in an impressive 748 bhp per tonne.
Happenings

The Last Of Its Kind

IN Pagani, Zonda, Revolucion, R, V12, Track

Pagani builds the ultimate Zonda to celebrate the end of its production run.


To be fair though, the Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept isn’t all max power and unhinged lunacy. In fact, the thinking behind it is fairly inspired — using Audi’s racing experience to shed massive amounts of weight: the car weighs just 1,111kg, 300 less than the TTS on which it’s based.
Happenings

Superleicht

IN Audi, TT, Quattro, Concept, Worthersee, Festival, Lightweight, TSI

Like a Superleggera, but German. The Audi Audi TT Ultra Quattro Concept makes Lamborghini's (and indeed everyone else's) efforts at a lightweight special seem completely inadequate.


A mismatch though it may be, the engine is still a great unit. It produces just 94bhp, which admittedly isn’t fantastic, but makes up with 230Nm of torque. That’s more pulling power than some NA 2.4-litre engines! An even bigger selling point though, is its cleanliness — just 99g/km of CO2. Perhaps this why only this engine is being imported here — it gets the maximum $20,000 CEVS rebate, a useful saving in Singapore’s problematic car market. And naturally, being a diesel, fuel consumption is excellent too; I managed just under 17km/l over 370km of not-particularly-economic driving.
New

Call Of The Jungle… | Peugeot 208 e-HDi

IN Peugeot, 208, 1.6 e-HDi, Diesel

… The urban one, that is. Peugeot’s latest baby has landed and, curiously for this end of the market, it’s a diesel!


Exterior-wise, the car looks pretty much looks like a mix of the Grand Turismo and a shrunken Quattroporte; the combination has produced a car that is dotted with sleek lines and sexy curves. The same cannot be said about the car’s rear end; the Kia Cerato-esque lights just do not fit the curvature of the Maserati bodyshell.
Happenings

Ghibli Is Ready To Take On The Middle-Weight Champs!

IN Maserati, Ghibli S, Diesel, Quattroporte baby, Luxury,

Maserati shrinks the Quattroporte and slaps in a V6 diesel.


GM hasn’t announced prices yet but has said that the Z/28 will be more expensive than the ZL1. My opinion? Get one, rip out the rear seats, install a half-cage and straight-through exhaust, then store it at the upcoming Iskandar race track in Johor and you’d have the most badass brute on the track.
Happenings

Return Of A Legend

IN Chevrolet, Chevy, Camaro, GM, Z/28, V8, LS7, Trackday, Muscle

Due to its large size and heavy gross weight, the current Camaro has always been seen as more of a cruiser than a bruiser. Until now.



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