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Sweet deals, Continental rides


Ahyoo2002
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Sweet deals, Continental rides

 

Continental rides have never been cheaper with plunging COE rates. Coupled with the falling euro, here is your rough buying guide.

Mon, Nov 10, 2008

 

By Christopher Tan

 

LAST month, certificates of entitlement (COEs) - Government-auctioned permits to own a vehicle here - sank to the lowest level in recent months.

 

The COE premium for larger cars (with engines above 1,600cc) was especially low, settling at $7,589 - half its usual value in recent years.

 

It was the first time that COE prices had reacted so swiftly and so drastically to an economic slowdown. In all previous crises, including the Asian financial meltdown of 1997 to 1999, premiums defied sentiment and stayed pretty firm.

 

Besides weakened spending, the strong Japanese yen has contributed to the soft premiums. After all, cars from that nation make up the lion's share of cars sold here.

 

Since sellers did not pass on all their currency cost increases to buyers for fear of losing out to the competition, their profit margins have narrowed. This, in turn, has weakened their ability to bid for COEs.

 

Even though COE premiums may rebound this month, the industry consensus is for prices to remain pretty soft for the rest of the year and for at least the first two quarters of next year.

 

What all that boils down to is this: Folks who are partial to Continental cars should be able to find some sweet deals, especially since the euro has also dropped in value.

 

Here are some models worth considering:

 

JAGUAR

 

A new version of the flagship XJ debuts in late-2009 or early-2010, but those seeking a posh carrier should still pause for the current feline limo. The 3-litre V6 is a good place to start as it adequately embodies the three core values of the XJ line: comfort, comfort and comfort. It isn't shoddy on performance either. Constructed from aluminium, the big, long-wheelbase car is as light as a Mercedes AMG racer. And its interior is oh-so-English-country-club.

 

Price: $246,000.

 

JAQUAR XJ FLAGSHIP: The car boasts a high-tech,lightweight aluminium

body that's longer, wider and taller.

 

If you feel the XJ is too old school, check out the XF (above), a sporty and gadget-filled sedan that still boasts the curvaceous bodywork and sublime leatherwork of the Leaping Cat. The variant to drool over is the supercharged 4.2 V8. Equipped with starship-like transmission and steering-mounted paddle shifters, it deploys its 416 horses to reach 100kmh in just 5.4 seconds.

 

Price: $295,000.

 

VOLVO

 

The S80 is one of the most undervalued executive sedans around. It is very spacious, very well equipped and has a clean styling that will stay in vogue for a long time. It also packs a lot of performance and comfort, with solid doors that are light on the triceps and safety features that have long been the hallmark of Volvo. Its adaptive cruise control, which applies the brakes to keep its distance, is one such feature. Ease yourself into the brand with the S80 2.5T.

 

Price: $164,000.

 

Then, there is the the Volvo XC60, one of the best-looking crossovers ever made. In the case of the 3-litre T6 version, perhaps the sportiest, too. The car, powered by an inline-6 turbo engine, hits 100kmh in 7.5 seconds, which is decent for a biggish crossover. Price: To be announced when car is launched in January.

 

MERCEDES-BENZ

 

Of all the cars in its extensive line-up, the E200NGT should get special mention because it is the only purpose-built bi-fuel car you can get from a showroom here. The E200NGT (below) is equipped to run on compressed natural gas as well as petrol. Unlike the gas-converted cars here, its CNG innards are neatly and intelligently packaged so they are unobtrusive. Its engine is modified to combust the cheaper and cleaner fuel with no ill effects and no loss of power. Not only that, Merc agent Cycle & Carriage is on an aggressive sales drive, by pricing the car nearly $30,000 lower than usual. Who says you can't save the Earth (and some moolah) if you drive a luxury car?

 

Price: $136,888.

 

E200NG: Cycle & Carriage has priced the car nearly $30,000 lower than usual.

 

LAND ROVER

 

It is still probably politically incorrect to go for beefy SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery or Range Rover. The Freelander, on the other hand, is rather palatable. Like the Disco and the Range, the new Freelander (right) is a competent climber, crawler, carrier and cruiser. On the road, the 3.2-litre offers car-like ride quality, a commanding stance and effortless straight-line tracking. And it is the only (affordable) SUV you can park in a hotel driveway without being shooed away.

 

Price: $168,000.

 

BMW

 

Obviously, the model to have is the all-new 7-series (below). It is just as luxurious, but more fuel-efficient, sportier and less daunting to operate than its predecessor. The new Bavarian limo range will have turbocharged engines for the first time. Due to arrive as early as January, the first variant available will be the 750Li. It is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 turbo churning out 407bhp and 600Nm of torque, enabling the big sedan to reach 100kmh in 5.3 seconds. A 740i with a 326bhp twin-turbo six-cylinder engine will be available later.

 

Price: To be announced.

 

THE NEW 7-SERIES: Just as luxurious, but more fuel-efficient, sportier and less daunting to operate than its predecessor.

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