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There are cars that only those with the keenest of eyes will be able to spot:
Happenings

The Car’s The Star Pt 1 | Cars & Coffee Dec 2015

IN Cars & Coffee, Meet, Meetup, Special, BMW, Porsche, VW, Lotus, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, JDM, Euro, Classic

Christmas is a time for sharing, so what better way to spread some festive petrolhead cheer than with a car meet with some of the rarest cars in the country?


BP — Would you be as effective with another driver or is there a sort of chemistry between you guys? MA — I think it depends mostly on how well you can cope with the system of a particular driver, because normally every driver has his own preference and the co-driver must adapt himself and understand what the driver needs. There are several co-drivers who have been successful with several different drivers, so I think that one driver can be successful with many co-drivers, but for a co-driver to be successful he needs a very talented driver. BP — Jari-Matti, has there ever been a case where you found yourself expecting more of Miikka? JML — No, not really. Its only been a few times where if Miikka has been a little bit late or going a little too early then I will just tell him to wait a moment, or just telling him ”next note, next note
Motorsports

An Intimate Interview with Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila | Part 1

IN VW, Volkswagen, WRC, Rally, World Rally Championship, Polo, Polo R, Motorsport, Latvala, Jari-Matti, Anttila, Miikka, Finland

Meet motorsport’s highest-flying Finns as they talk Group B, co-driving, and their intra-cockpit relationship.


Fans will also see the Bentley Continental GT V8 S road car - from which the GT3 racer is derived - on duty this weekend at the Sepang International Circuit as Bentley provides the safety car for the event. “Sepang 12 Hours gives us the opportunity to race in a region that is very important for Bentley,” explained Brian Gush, Director of Motorsport at Bentley. “In addition, it allows us to continue racing in the winter season and is good preparation for Bathurst 12 Hours in February.
Motorsports

Bentley Set For Sepang Debut

IN Bentley, Motorsport, Continental, GT, V8, GT3-R, GT3, Race, Bentley Team

A pair of works team Bentley Team M-Sport Continental GT3s to contest the final race of the season


Good for me. On the flipside, since I own one such car, I must confess over the years my social circle is getting smaller and smaller…
New

MINI John Cooper Works | Grown Up

IN MINI, John Cooper Works, JCW, Cooper, MINI Habitat

The JCW becomes significantly more fun with the bigger engine — growing up isn’t all that bad in this case


The GT4 Clubsport is blessed with many of the same traits that make its street-going sibling a riot to drive, such as bodywork that helps to produce genuine downforce on both axles, a lower, wider track and a mid-mounted 3.8 liter flat six engine that produces 385hp. However alterations have been made to beef up the base car, such as front suspension that has been lifted wholesale from a GT3 cup car while the rear has a revised strut design with GT3 cup car control arms. The 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brake calipers are also a one piece design now for added strength.
Happenings

Race Ready Goodness

IN Porsche, Cayman, GT4, Clubsport, Race, Homologation, Endurance, GT, Sports, Weissach

With the road-going Cayman GT4 released to wild acclaim, Porsche has taken the opportunity to develop a new track-only racer based off of it. Enter the GT4 Clubsport.


The new headlights which look like it was directly lifted from the 458 Italia, makes the car immediately more striking. You can be excused if you think that the California is just another hardtop with pleasing lines. However, it is more than that. If you hit the switch and wait 14 seconds, you find that the touring model is actually a drop-top. The California is equipped with a retractable hardtop that quickly slips out of sight behind the passenger compartment. Thanks to its intelligent design, the stored hardtop doesn’t take too much away from trunk storage. For a sports car, there is a fair amount of storage space - easily enough to hold luggage for a weekend away.
New

Ferrari California T | Cup Of T

IN Ferrari, Ital Auto, Ferrari California T, Cabriolet, Convertible, Turbo, Singapore

The Ferrari California T is the automaker’s “entry-level” touring model, marking Maranello's modern incarnation of their turbocharged stallions.


As has been well-documented in countless other BMW reviews though, that drivetrain layout which gives the 1-series its entertaining handling also leads to its biggest shortfall: interior space. Now, the new 1-series is not a cramped car. Unlike the first generation model, this new car is actually adequately spacious; the relatively large rear windows let in enough light to repel any claustrophobic feelings, and legroom is just about sufficient for two six-footers to sit in tandem. But compared to practically all its front-drive rivals, the 1-series doesn’t offer any surplus room to stretch out, and the transmission tunnel that runs down the middle of the car robs rear passengers of even more foot space.
New

BMW 116d | Simple One-ders

IN BMW, 1-series, 116d, Hatchback, RWD, Performance Motors, Diesel

BMW’s smallest model had just had its mid-life refresh and now comes with only one engine. We find out if this Cat A fighter can punch above its weight.


Also during this event, it was revealed the accomplishment of Infiniti's product offerings in the premium segment. According to the latest LTA statistics, the brand has enjoyed a 384 percent year-on-year growth in local vehicle registrations.
Happenings

The Infiniti Drive Singapore

IN Infiniti, Q50, Q70, QX70, Infiniti Drive Singapore, Wearnes Automotive, 2015

Infiniti showcases its technologies with a tailored drive event


New

Why BMW’s M5 Is The Only Sedan I Need | Random Writes

IN BMW, M5, M5 Competition Pack, BMW M5 Competition Pack, Random Writes, Munich Automobiles

The M5 may not sound like a favourable car to most, but here are some of the car’s unique quirks that actually raised its likeable factor for yours truly


Happenings

Back To Basics

IN Toyota, S-FR, Lightweight, Sports car, Concept

Building on momentum of the GT86 Coupe, Toyota unveils a sports car concept that is even smaller and lighter than its already svelte bigger brother - enter the S-FR concept


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


Happenings

Latest Bond mobile unveiled at Aston Martin’s new Singapore home

IN Aston, Aston Martin, Showroom, New, Wearnes, DB9, DB10

Britain’s coolest car brand moves into new premises under newly appointed dealer Wearnes Automotive.


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.


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


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...


This practicality is a result of clever packaging. Without the need to contend with gearboxes or fuel tanks, the model X is blessed with more space than any of its gasoline rivals can muster, with seven seats and two luggage compartments which should be more than sufficient for family trips. The theme of practicality continues with rear
Happenings

Crowd Pleaser

IN Tesla, Model X, Electric, SUV, Tesla motors, Ludicrous

Tesla expands its lineup with an all-electric SUV that has Porsche-baiting performance and massive falcon-wing doors. Method to the madness? Let's see.


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



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