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what do you think it should be named? simply Sports Hub ? was listening to the radio on this topic.

Saw this.... Front wheel drive.... oh man... but at least it does look like one of the sportiest MPVs around... http://paultan.org/2013/12/16/bmw-2-series-active-tourer-completely-undisguised/ Will you buy?

I don't know if its the visual comedy of it, but there's something quite fascinating to me about pocketbikes - basically, full size humans race on pocket size motorbikes. It looks absurd and hilarious, and I desperately want to try one. And we've all probably grown up playing a mini version of some sport or another. Remember those plastic bowling pins or little football goals you could buy at a mamak shop? Well, recently I have been made aware of another mini creation - tiny tennis: I need that court, right now.

Thinking of buying one. Any Opel owners car to share if there are serious reliability issues (e.g. like VW a few years back)? Also heard the depre is super bad? Other than that they seem more comfortable than similarly priced Japanese cars, hence considering. Do share your thoughts and experiences!

I would like to compare the abovementioned models. 1) Pricing 2) FC 3) Handling 4) Size 5) Appearance 6) Maintenance Cost like spare parts. I like both the car design especially Opel Astra 1.6 Twinport. Was considering of Toyota Altis and my friend strongly reccomend on Ford Focus in terms of handling. The pricing is higher than Altis if I'm not wrong. But how much higher? Astra got all the cost rebate, free insurance, etc. So in the end not sure of the selling price. Too confused. Can anyone enlightened me on the pricing as well as commend on the cars. Thks alot.

Opel Singapore has just launched the new Crossland X. Launch Price at SGD102,888. Probably replacing the Mokka X. http://www.opel.com.sg/vehicles/opel-range/cars/crossland-x/index.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw6ZLOBRALEiwAxzyCW1ILCXQTrvI_kHyJxhRfIt6y_wjbCpR6qwbymj0Xb-sgO2ZzG9zHMBoC438QAvD_BwE https://www.carzone.ie/reviews/new-car-reviews/Opel/Crossland-X/2017/548/ Farewell to Opel ’s family favourite, the Meriva, and hello to the car that replaces it for 2017, the Crossland X . The new Crossland X takes aim at popular cars like the Nissan Juke and Renault's Captur, and it blends downscaled SUV looks with impressive levels of interior space. It’s also the first Opel to be built under the German manufacturer’s merge with Peugeot PSA, so it is based on the same platform as the latest Peugeot 2008. We recently took the Crossland X for a week-long test drive on Irish roads to see if has the recipe for success in an increasingly competitive corner of the market. The Crossland X shares many styling similarities the popular Opel Mokka X SUV, although it isn’t as rugged from the outside. Features like the front grille and rear lights are recognisable from other cars in Opel ’s range, while its raised ride height and tall bumpers lend it an SUV stance. Choice of specification in Ireland consists of two models, SC and SE, while the base specification SC gets 16-inch alloy wheels and distinctive LED daytime running lights as standard. Our test car is a higher specification SE model, so it gains larger 17-inch alloy wheels and dark tinted windows. The Crossland X is more spacious inside than you would expect, with excellent head and leg room for front and rear seat passengers. Space in the rear is particularly impressive due to the flat floor, and boot space is respectable at 410 litres, trump rivals like the Nissan Juke. There is also an optional versatility pack which allows the rear seat bench to slide forwards and backwards and further increases boot space. The driving position is high which means it offers a commanding view of the road, and there’s enough support from the seats for comfort during longer drives. The quality of the plastics throughout the cabin is mostly good, but they are scratchy in certain areas such as beneath the steering wheel and lower doors. It’s nice to note that all Crossland X models have a user-friendly 7-inch colour touchscreen system in the centre of the dashboard as standard, incorporating Opel ’s Intellilink system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Also included is Opel ’s OnStar with a Wi-Fi hotspot, roadside assistance call out and lots of other features too, so it's fair to say that the Crossland X is more connected and smartphone-friendly than many of its rivals. The Crossland X is available with either a 1.2-litre petrol engine available in two different states of tune (81hp or 110hp), or a larger 1.6-litre CDTi diesel engine in 99hp or 120hp variants. We drove the 120hp 1.6 CDTi diesel with a six-speed-manual gearbox and it offers an ideal mix of performance and economy. 0-100km/h is possible in under ten seconds and it cruises confidently at motorway speeds, while we covered over 600 kilometres of driving in the midlands and managed 5-litres per 100 kilometres of driving in fuel economy (56MPG). The Crossland X has an accommodating suspension setup which means it is comfortable out on the road, but it isn’t very agile through corners. Light steering helps during parking, but again, there is little feedback from the steering when cornering. This is unlikely to affect family buyers who will value comfort over driving dynamics. Despite its SUV looks, the Crossland X isn’t available with four-wheel-drive, but the front-wheel-drive setup offers sufficial amounts of grip. Family buyers will appreciate standard safety features such as lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors and hill start assist. Our test car has desirable optional extras such as a panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors and Opel ’s lighting pack, but the asking price is bumped up accordingly and it can get expensive quickly. The Crossland X is a worthy successor to the Opel Meriva MPV, bringing more style and desirability than its predecessor. Family buyers will appreciate the Crossland’s generous interior space, along with the strong serving of standard equipment. That said, it feels and looks very similar to the latest Opel Mokka X, so differentiating between the two models can be confusing, and it also isn’t as fun to drive as some of its more-established rivals, such as the Peugeot 2008. Taking all things into account, the Crossland X makes for a well-priced alternative to cars like the Nissan Juke with best-in-class space and practicality.

TL;DR - Too Low to Go, lowered Opel Astra HB's foiled by Woodlands Checkpoint's speed bump Roadblock blues for other commuters, ‘suay’ max for car owner… Watch this 37 second clip to see the disintegrated car exhaust. What Happened? A lowered Opel Astra HB was caught up in an incident at the Woodlands Checkpoint yesterday, after its exhaust system was torn off while attempting to navigate a speed bump. Some netizens commented that the vehicle, which had lowered suspension, was moving slowly towards the checkpoint when the driver failed to clear the speed bump, causing the underside of the car to scrape against the concrete. In a matter of seconds, the car's exhaust was ripped off, sending debris flying. Authorities were quick to respond, with checkpoint staff redirecting traffic and alerting the traffic police. It was alleged that the car's lowered suspension had caused it to be too low to clear the speed bump, resulting in the exhaust system being ripped out. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has warned that vehicle modifications, including lowering the suspension, must comply with safety standards and guidelines, and that failure to do so could result in accidents and injuries. Online Chat If you want to mod your car, at least make sure you’re able to get past all these bumpy roads lah… Not the best idea to drive a lowered car through multiple speed bumps on a congested road. There goes its resale value in future… Low suspension is good for flat roads but doesn’t work well with humps. Hard and expensive lesson to learn. Takeaway The LTA also advised all motorists to exercise caution when approaching speed bumps and to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on a journey. With Hari Raya coming up, the checkpoint authorities have also reminded motorists to plan their journeys carefully and to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy and safe. ========= Be the first to get the latest road/ COE news and get first dibs on exclusive promos and giveaways in our Telegram SGCM Community. Join us today!

Yet another one... https://mothership.sg/2021/07/india-school-copy-singapore-sports-school-logo/ The logo of a school in Nagpur, India's state of Maharastra, known as Gaikwad Patil International School (GPIS) looks exactly like Singapore Sports School's (SSS) logo. Principal claims school is now closed and there's nothing further to discuss In reponse to Mothership's queries, SSS said that they had reached out to the principal of GPIS about the matter, as well as the school itself through the "Contact Us" page on their website. The principal then replied SSS, by sharing that she had left the job and that the school "is also shut now". As such, the issue of the two schools having the same logo "does not need any further discussion." SSS added that they interpreted the principal's comments to mean that GPIS is now closed. In addition, SSS asked the principal if she was aware as to whether the school's owner intends to take down the website, since the school is now closed, adding that it would otherwise be misleading having the website remain live. SSS also requested that the principal refers them to the owner of the school, if she was not yet aware. However, on these matters, SSS added that it has not received any further response from the principal since then. The schools' website appears to have since become inaccessible. Principal has assumed new job at DPIS which is located at the same address as GPIS Meanwhile, the principal appears to have assumed a new job at Delhi Public International School (DPIS), which appears to be at the same address as GPIS, according to her LinkedIn profile. Her last post on GPIS was about two months ago, in which she put up a poster stating that applications for GPIS were open. GPIS also appears to have been promoted by DPIS before, with a video by the latter in 2019 advertising the former's facilities. Who designed the SSS logo? According to SSS, it was designed by Ukulele, a commercial brand consultancy in 2003. The trademark was first registered on Sep. 16, 2003, with the school taking in its first cohort of student-athletes in 2004.

Produced since 2014, and to the chagrin of every hardcore traditionalist BMW “fan”, the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer twins were a pretty quirky and strange addition (some might say, experiment) to our (my) favourite German marque’s range of cars. A friendly and compact front-wheel-drive MPV created to introduce new customers to the brand with a focus on space and usability without sacrificing (too much of ) BMW’s underlying foundation of good drivability and dynamics by using a platform shared not only with the BMW 1-series. X1 and X2, but also the Mini Countryman and Clubman. And (to the chagrin of every hardcore traditionalist BMW “fan” once again) it must have succeeded because new for 2022, the 2-Series Active Tourer is now back, slightly less quirky, slightly more sporty, but still as friendly and usable. First off though, the bad news. In line with BMW’s efforts to streamline their product offering, there will, sadly, no longer be a 7-seater Gran Tourer variant. While this might come as somewhat of a shocker to many of us due to its popularity on our roads, the Gran Tourer’s sales success in Singapore didn’t quite translate to many other parts of the world, hence its sad departure from BMW’s newly updated stable. That said, the new 2-Series Active Tourer (seen here in 218i M Sport form) also marks a departure from its predecessor’s more “entry-level” aesthetics and interior. Outwardly, the new car has sharper edges and cleaner lines, aided by a set of flush door handles, a more heavily raked windscreen and an equally heavily redesigned frontal section with a very prominent kidney grille flanked by a slimmer pair of LED lights to create a more purposeful and broader stance. Side by side with the older car, the differences in character and attitude are much more obvious with the new car losing much of the older model’s more tamed exterior in favour of modern bold surfaces. On our test car’s M Sport trim package, this slightly more aggressive outlook is further enhanced with more sculpted front and rear bumpers and large black trim pieces to mimic air intakes and outlets. While it is still honestly not a car you buy based on appearances alone, this M Sport package is well worth the slight premium as it does help to inject a healthy dose of youthfulness into the car’s overall character. Inside, the shift upmarket continues with a cabin that improves on the outgoing model in almost every area with the iX-Esque iDrive curved screens now making an appearance and an overzealously designed M steering wheel that even though feels great, does look a little comical in such a class of vehicle. Those curved screens running BMW operating system 8 don’t just look good, they also contain within them this car’s host of high-tech features like the now ubiquitous BMW intelligent personal assistant, parking assistant and BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus navigation system. Elsewhere, much more supportive sport seats (with a fantastic massage function for the driver) are now available and the heavily used plastic surfaces from before have now given way to soft-touch materials with well pieced together trim pieces to help round off the much more premium-feeling airy interior. Interestingly, there are still some quirks to be found inside like the wide swath of air vents along the entire dashboard, the extra-large wireless phone charging pad with an integrated locking mechanism and a floating centre console that now houses the drivetrain controls. Unfortunately, there is also a slight cause for concern here because, for reasons unfathomable, BMW has opted to remove the physical iDrive controller on the Active Tourer whilst still keeping a small selection of buttons. While the latest iDrive UI is theoretically still fully operational using just the touchscreen, the actual practice of having to do so is quite cumbersome and counterintuitive, requiring a bit of thought to progress through the screens and some functions effectively hobbled. On the move, trying to adjust anything else other than the climate temperature becomes even more challenging as some of the on-screen icons and buttons are just too small to be accurately reached. Whilst, not a deal-breaker, I do hope that either the control knob will make a return, or an update comes to create a different user experience for cars that come without the controller. That aside, interior room is as roomy as before with plenty of space all around and added versatility to the rear with adjustable seats that can slide forward and aft. When it comes to the practicalities of cargo storage, the 2-Series Active Tourer can easily accommodate those trips to Ikea with a healthy boot capacity of 470 litres expandable to a generous 1,455 litres with the seats folded away. Should you require it, an additional storage bin is also available underneath the boot floor to hide away your precious belongings. On the move, progress is sufficient rather than swift, with the turbocharged 1.5litre 3-cylinder power unit spinning up a modest 134 horsepowers and 230Nm of torque. While not in the contention to win any century sprint contest, the Active Tourer’s tidy 230Nm of pulling power does allow it to neatly navigate through most slow-moving traffic with little fuss. Ride-wise, the Active Tourer brings with it BMW’s classic underlying stiffness that smoothens itself out as you bring it up to speed, bringing about a strong level of stability as you start venturing into “enthusiastic” speeds. Into the bends, the Active Tourer is surprisingly willing to play as it turns in well even if the steering feels a little uncommunicative. While it might feel slightly out of character to be attacking corners in a “family” hauler, the Active Tourer is quick to show you that while still cuddly, it is still ultimately a BMW. There are quite a lot of positives to this brand-new 2-Series Active Tourer. A decent drive, plenty of space, great versatility and a premium cabin adorned with high tech gadgetry, all fit for a family looking to enter (or remain in) the world of BMW motoring. But the discontinuation of the Gran Tourer variant was an unfortunate decision. Because without this 3rd row of seats, it has lost its rather unique selling point and now has to compete not just with similar rivals from other manufacturers but even with cars from BMW’s own fleet. Like the similarly priced, slightly less versatile but much more exciting Mini Clubman S or the smaller but no less premium-feeling BMW 116i hatchback that’s a tad easier on the wallet. And then there’s the incoming BMW X1 and iX1. BMW’s brand new baby SUV that’ll come with as much space and versatility as the Active Tourer but wrapped up in a great-looking new body that I reckon will be well worth the slight premium and wait. Ultimately, it will all boil down to what you want and what you need in a car and if the 2-Series Active Tourer ticks all the right buttons for you and your family, It’s well worth a look.

https://thedriven.io/2022/03/15/byd-seal-atto-4-electric-sportscar-to-rival-tesla-model-3-confirmed-for-australia/amp/ China doing what they do best, copying According to the source, this can do 0-100 in 3.9 s

McLaren 600LT by MSO revealed ahead of Pebble Beach debuthttps://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/mclaren-600lt-mso-revealed-ahead-pebble-beach-debut McLaren will be heading to this week’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with a bespoke version of its new 600LT. Showcasing a raft of personalisation options from the Woking brand’s MSO (McLaren Special Operations) division, the concept follows on from the first public outing of the 600LT at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month. Featuring MSO Bespoke Stealth Grey paintwork, the 600LT receives a number of carbonfibre upgrades, including an F1 Longtail-inspired air intake scoop mounted on the roof. Three carbonfibre upgrade packs also feature, with the material being used for the door mirrors and door inserts, as well as the front splitter, rear bumper, diffuser and engine cover. An ‘MSO Defined’ carbonfibre roof and front wing louvres are also part of the package. The new parts are said to reduce weight, although McLaren hasn’t disclosed how much lighter the MSO version is than the regular 600LT. Gloss black 10-spoke wheels complete the look. Inside, lightweight carbonfibre seats are sourced from the McLaren Senna, with orange contrast stitching. Six-point harnesses also feature, while a carbonfibre transmission tunnel and door inserts and an upgraded Bowers & Wilkins sound system are showcased. Detail touches to the interior include bespoke embroidery in the headrests, ‘600LT’ etching on the throttle pedals and even a set of hand-painted keys. The 600LT’s performance is unchanged over the standard car, with a 592bhp twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 taking it from 0-62mph in 2.8sec and on to a top speed of 204mph.

Source: https://mothership.sg/2022/09/bluesg-electric-opel/ BlueSG is launching 500 electric Opel Corsa-e hatchbacks gradually from October 2022, The Straits Times reported. The cost of the new cars was estimated to be about S$80 million, or S$160,000 for each car, at prevailing COE (certificate of entitlement) prices. BlueSG will have more than 1,000 cars on road A BlueSG spokesperson told ST that "200 or so" new Opel cars are on the way. If it goes according to plan, BlueSG, an exclusively electric car-sharing firm here, will have a fleet of about 1,000 cars in total before 2022 is over.There are some 800 two-door compact BlueCars on the roads in Singapore. BlueSG had some 650 cars plying the roads in Singapore in February 2021, and ST reported 250 more cars were gradually introduced subsequently. BlueCars are made in Italy. The Opel Corsa-e is Spanish-made. It has four doors. Acquired about a year ago In October 2021, home-grown engineering group Goldbell completed its acquisition of BlueSG from French transportation giant Bollore Group. The new Opel Corsa-e cars are being introduced almost a year after the acquisition. BlueSG is a loss-making business, ST reported. But Goldbell had said it would invest S$70 million up to 2026 to turn things around. Rental rates for the new cars, with more advanced features, are expected to be higher. Top photos via BlueSG

Want your Peugeot 308 a bit more German? Enter the all-new Astra. source: https://www.motor1.com/news/519625/2022-opel-astra-specs-photos/ One of the oldest cars in Europe's hugely competitive compact segment is switching to the next generation, bringing a completely new design inside and out along with overhauled underpinnings. Once again assembled at home in Rüsselsheim, the sixth iteration of Opel's popular Astra has all the ingredients to go up against the giants in this class: Golf, Focus, Megane, and the Octavia. It also has to do battle with the mechanically related Peugeot 308, with the two sharing the EMP2 platform as both brands are part of Stellantis – the world's fourth-largest car manufacturer. Even though their bones are quite similar, the designers have done a great job at differentiating the two compact hatchbacks. The French version takes a bolder approach whereas its German cousin plays it safe with a cleaner appearance. Let's talk size. The new Astra has been stretched by four millimeters (0.15 inches) over the outgoing generation and is now 4,374 mm (172.1 in) long. Even though the overall length has barely changed, the wheelbase has been stretched significantly by 13 mm (0.5 in) to 2,675 mm (105.3 in) by shortening the front overhang. Width has increased quite a bit, at 1,860 mm (73.2 in) or about 51 mm (2 in) more than before. Opel goes as far as to say the hatchback has "coupe-like" lines, although some will beg to differ. A new Astra GTC would be nice, but given the current demand for three-door hatches, we wouldn't necessarily count on it. The car's increased footprint pays dividends in terms of cargo capacity on the adjustable load floor as it has grown by 52 liters (1.83 cubic feet) to 422 liters (14.9 cu ft) with the rear seats in place. Much like the exterior, the cabin is a vast departure from the Astra K by adopting the less-is-more approach with few conventional buttons. You still have shortcuts for often-used functions, but most of the settings are accessed through the 10-inch touchscreen of the infotainment system. To its left, a fully digital instrument cluster has the same size. As you would expect from a totally new car, Opel's new C-segment hatchback is brimming with tech. It gets the matrix LED technology from the flagship Insignia, with no fewer than 84 light-emitting diodes per headlight cluster. Cruise control with stop & go is available, as are a head-up display and a 360-degree camera. Opel doesn't go too deep with details about the powertrains, but you can imagine these will be quite similar to those of the new Peugeot 308. The German brand does confirm the 2022 Astra will be available with a choice of gasoline and diesel units with output varying from 110 hp (81 kW) to 225 hp (165 kW). For the very first time, a plug-in hybrid setup will be available and will come in two configurations. Depending on the powertrain, six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions will be offered. The order books will open this fall and the first customer deliveries are scheduled to take place in early 2022. Opel has already confirmed there will be a new wagon once again for those in need of a bigger cargo area. Expect the estate variant to be revealed in the coming months. While it would make sense for the company to have both body styles on display in September at the IAA in Munich, Opel has announced it will not attend the show this year. As a final note, it's worth mentioning this will be the final Astra with combustion engines in Europe considering Opel has vowed to go EV-only on the Old Continent by 2028.

Source: https://www.motor1.com/news/693042/mazda-iconic-sp-concept-rotary/ The Mazda Iconic SP concept made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show today with a novel feature that sports car fans have been clamoring for since 2012: a rotary engine. Looking very much like the company’s Vision Study design piece from last year, the fixed-roof Iconic SP is a bit larger than the current MX-5 Miata, making it a tantalizing continuation of the RX-7’s legacy. But unlike that legendary coupe, the Iconic SP makes use of its two-rotor mill not to drive the wheels, but to charge a battery of unknown capacity, which then sends juice to an unspecified electric motor layout. While there are those burning questions about the so-called R-EV’s powertrain specifics, wherever the juice comes from, there sure is a lot of it – 365 horsepower to be precise. Mazda says the rotary can run on a variety of fuels, including hydrogen and renewable fuel, and the battery can also be plugged into a home outlet to recharge it. Coming in at 164.6 inches long by 82.8 inches wide and 45.2 inches high, the Iconic SP is 10.5 inches longer than a current MX-5 Miata and 4.1 inches shorter than a 1995 RX-7. According to the company, the Iconic SP weighs in at a slightly portly 1,450 kilograms (3,197 pounds), making it about 400 pounds heavier than the RX-7 and about 800 pounds more than the Miata. Such is the price one pays for electrons, and the Iconic SP still isn’t that heavy compared to the 3,342-pound Toyota Supra or 3,519-pound Nissan Z. It wears its size very well, too. Mazda says the compact powertrain allows a very low hood and ultra-compact dimensions, and the Iconic SP’s Coke-bottle fenders provide a modern contrast to the RX-7-style windows and rear hatch. The automaker’s modern grille shape appears on the nose, and Venn-diagram taillights recall both the NA-generation Miata and FC-generation RX-7. The doors open in a graceful, upward motion, not unlike Aston Martin's swan wing design. The Iconic SP is painted a beautiful shade called Viola Red, which is brighter than the company’s signature Soul Red Crystal – appropriate for a sports car. Inside, the Iconic SP is a triumph of minimalism, with a typewriter-key gear selector, digital instrument cluster, and small infotainment display being the only distractions from its curvaceous, flowing design. The kakenui stitching first seen on the CX-90 SUV appears on the Iconic SP concept’s dashboard and door panels, and the seats wear biofabric upholstery (a word we haven’t heard Mazda use since it developed a seat material made from renewable plastic in 2009). The combination of plug-in electric and range-extender tech isn’t new, even at Mazda – the MX-30 PHEV has a 0.8-liter single-rotor powerplant under the hood to keep the battery charged. The two-rotor engine in the Iconic SP might displace 1.6 liters, given the MX-30 uses a 0.8-liter single-rotor design. What’s more, the mill in the sports car can be used as a V2L generator, appropriate for everything from tailgate parties to backup power during severe weather. Mazda describes the engine architecture as scalable, so it’s possible the renewable-fuel rotary technology could be used for other applications. Dedicated home generators could make use of small-displacement rotaries, while larger vehicles could potentially daisy-chain rotors together to make bigger power. That said, the Iconic SP concept is a vehicle that is intended to underscore Mazda’s commitment to driving enjoyment first and foremost. “Mazda will always deliver vehicles that remind people that cars are pure joy and an indispensable part of their lives,” said company Representative Director, President, and CEO Masahiro Moro. “As a car-loving company that mass produces the inspiring mobility experience, we are committed to shaping the future … where everyone can proudly say, ‘We love cars.’”

Max Verstappen should have said: "Limpeh confirm, chop, can drive faster and better than you!" Hahahaha It turns out that being a three-time Formula 1 world champion doesn’t get you a leg up at the rental car counter, as Max Verstappen recently learned when on vacation in Portugal. Source: https://jalopnik.com/max-verstappen-too-young-to-rent-amg-gt-sports-car-on-v-1851128701 As reported by The Sun, Verstappen’s family and friends arrived in Algarve on three different private jets, having booked 20 rental cars through Sixt with the intent to drive to the Algarve International Circuit (also known as Portimão), which Verstappen had rented out for two days. When the Dutch world champion arrived at the Sixt counter, he was told that he could not drive the Mercedes-AMG GT that he had reserved for himself because he was too young. Sixt’s insurance policy for the GT requires that drivers be 30 years old, and Verstappen is only 26. His manager ended up taking the GT, while Verstappen had to make do with a BMW 5 Series. A source said: “Max and the group went to Portugal for a fun racing trip and had booked the cars they wanted. “When they got to the airport, Max was shocked when he was told he wasn’t allowed to drive the Mercedes he wanted. “He’s a seasoned F1 driver who’s used to handling powerful cars, so it’s quite astonishing to think he wasn’t allowed to get behind the wheel of this one — but those are the rules, so he abided by them.”

I think this topic has been discussed to death for the longest time, and finally someone did an official study to "confirm" the theory. Hahahahaha I just need a Chery QQ BTW. 😁 Source: https://www.carscoops.com/2023/02/surprising-absolutely-no-one-men-who-believe-they-have-a-small-penis-are-more-likely-to-want-a-sports-car/ The results seem to relate specifically to sports cars, not just luxury goods Did you know that the average male reproductive organ is 10 inches (25 cm) long? No? That’s okay, because I was actually psychologically manipulating you into wanting a sports car. That is, in effect, what researchers at the University College London, say is possible. They sought to find if there was any truth to that old adage that sports car owners tend to be compensating for dreaded downstairs deficiencies. The team, though, had to be clever, because uh… measuring this effect was difficult. As the researchers put it, “self-reported penis size is notoriously unreliable,” and, more to the point, “even an objective study of penis size and sports car ownership would also be limited in correlational evidence.” That’s because, as anyone who has ever driven sports cars knows, objective measurements are often less important than subjective experience – a Chevy Corvette is very fast until it lines up next to a Bugatti Chiron. And yet, neither makes a Toyota GR86 any less fun. But enough metaphors, the researchers decided to try and manipulate their subjects’ self-perception by giving them fake facts about penis size. The information either exaggerated or underrated the average length in order to make men feel better or worse about what was going on under the hood, as it were. So as not to put their fingers on the scale, the fake facts were presented within a larger collection of random information, and subjects were told that the experiment was looking at how people multitask online, such as when they’re shopping and browsing simultaneously. When presented with the “fact” that the average penis was 18 cm (seven inches) long – which is way longer than the actual average – the participants rated sports cars as more desirable. Intriguingly, the effects of this particular kind of manipulation were stronger the older the subject was, with those under the age of 29 not showing as much interest in fast cars. Of particular interest, though, is the finding that the penis facts seemed to have no impact on men’s interest in other luxury products. The correlation, therefore, appears to be specifically related to sports cars. People aren’t just shopping to make themselves feel better. While there are still a lot of unanswered questions in this research – like whether or not general feelings of inadequacy, in addition to genital jealousy, affect a man’s desire for a sports car – it suggests that people trying to show off in music videos should sing about hatchbacks, not C8 Corvettes.

With the arrival of the BMW U06 2-Series Active Tourer and G42 2-Series Coupe, BMW Singapore has now completed their local lineup of 2's which quite interestingly also means that the 2-Series now has the most versatile mix of cars on offer. With a choice of a front-wheel-drive 4-door sedan with the Gran Coupe, a front-wheel-drive MPV with the latest Active Tourer or the brand new and sublime rear-wheel-drive 2-door Coupe. For the latest 2-Series Active Tourer, a model that with its first-generation successfully introduced an entirely new segment of owners to the marque, BMW have incorporated the bold aesthetic flourishes of its more premium siblings into its exterior design. With the prominent kidneys, slim tapered headlights, clean-cut side surfaces and increased rake on the windscreen eschewing a sportier visual dynamic over the outgoing model to pair with its significantly improved cabin ambience. For the local Singapore market, there will be two 218i variants available both powered by BMW's B38 TwinPower Turbo In-line three-cylinder, the Luxury line and M sport. With the M Sport featuring not just key visual enhancements but also adaptive M suspension with frequency-selective damping and a 15-millimetre drop in ride height. Whilst the price of the M Sport variant has yet to be announced, do expect it to command a slight premium over the Luxury line's S$220,888 pricetag (S$229,888 for the higher-specced Launch Editions). Both 218i Active Tourers sit on BMW's UKL2 platform which it shares with the 1-Series hatchback and 2-Series Gran Coupe, so expect this little MPV to serve up a class-leading driving experience. There's no news yet on whether the 225e or 230e PHEVs will be coming to our shores but with the local authority's continuous push towards electrification, we wouldn't be too surprised if they eventually make their way over. Of course, the star of the day belonged to the 2-Series Coupe, the most BMW of BMWs available for sale today. Compact, agile, usable and capable of delivering plenty of smiles per mile, the 2-Series Coupe is quite simply the embodiment of everything enthusiasts love about BMWs. Having driven one in Germany a few months ago, I'm already smitten. For the Singapore market, two distinct variants will be available, the flagship and very lovely M240i xDrive powered by BMW's venerable 3-litre Twinpower Turbo'd B58 Straight-Six in B30O1 guise pumping out a stomping 382 horses and juicy 500Nm of torques, and the entry-level 220i with a 2-litre Twinpower Turbo inline-four B48 producing a still respectable 184 horses and 300Nm of torque. Unfortunately, there's also no news yet on whether the middle ground 230i (with its updated 248hp B48) will make it here but from what we gather, don't get your hopes up. The price of entry for the new 2-Series Coupes starts at S$257,888 for the 220i and S$$349,888 for the M240i xDrive. Better start saving then. *Prices are accurate as of 10 March 2022 and are inclusive of COE.

With production of the Insignia ending this year, Opel is officially bidding adieu to sporty vehicles by discontinuing the OPC badge. However, the folks from Rüsselsheim are not abandoning exciting cars altogether as the plan is to bring back the GSe moniker. It used to mean "Grand Sport Einspritzung" (Grand Sport Injection) on the Commodore GS/E and Monza GSE back in the day, but going forward, the acronym will stand for "Grand Sport electric." Touted as being a new range-topping sub-brand, GSe (with a lowercase "e") will be used for "dynamic, fun-to-drive cars" thanks to bespoke chassis tuning and extensive testing on the Autobahn. With Opel using the word "electrified" rather than just "electric," logic tells us some plug-in hybrids could also get the suffix, along with pure EVs. As a refresher, all of the German brand's models will have an electrified derivative by 2024 ahead of 2028 when the combustion engine is going to be dropped completely in Europe. The announcement comes along with the reveal of a new badge, which was previewed in May 2021 when Opel unveiled the Manta GSe ElektroMOD. Back then, it was only an LED graphic in the headlights, but now it has been revealed as a standalone logo future production models will wear. It’s unclear which road-going model will be the first to receive the GSe treatment. However, Opel has said the Manta will return in 2025 as an EV in crossover shape because of course. The Insignia's replacement has already been confirmed to drop the ICE. A spicy electric Astra is believed to be in the works. That would usually mean a GSi or an OPC derivative, but it could ultimately be called the Astra GSe. It is only a matter of time before Opel will roll out a purely electric Astra taking into account sister brand Peugeot came out this week with the E-308 in both hatchback and wagon flavors. A GSe version would need a beefier setup since the French duo has only 156 horsepower (115 kilowatts) and 260 Newton-meters (191 pound-feet) of torque, which doesn't exactly scream performance.

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/vauxhall/astra/hatchback/review Heard from my Opel SE that the Astra 2016 is here already. Anyone test driven already? Can the 1.0L turbo version make it? I'm a little bit skeptical about the power myself. Hoping to get some advice from the gurus around

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Honda-eyes-reviving-iconic-NSX-sports-car-as-EV?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20220921123000&seq_num=11&si=44594 Honda eyes reviving iconic NSX sports car as EV The car could highlight company's shift to battery-electric propulsion Honda plans to end sales of the NSX by the end of the year. (Photo courtesy of the company) PAUL A. EISENSTEIN, Contributing writerSeptember 21, 2022 11:30 JST DETROIT -- With only a handful of special editions left in dealer showrooms, the Acura NSX from Honda Motor seems ready to drive off into the sunset. But we might not have seen the last of the iconic sports car. When it was first introduced back in 1990, the Acura NSX served to demonstrate the technological prowess of Honda's luxury Acura brand, a strategy repeated with the launch of an all-new NSX in 2016. Now, Acura planners are giving thought to how they might bring the premium sports car back to demonstrate the brand's upcoming shift in direction. While he declined to say whether a third-generation NSX is set to follow, "I would bet on it," said Vice President and Acura Brand Officer Jon Ikeda at American Honda Motor Co. And if it does, he said in an exclusive interview, "it's going to be [all-]electric." Loosely based on the 1984 HP-X, the Honda Pininfarina eXperimental concept, the original NSX debuted as a 1990 model and was used to highlight such technological breakthroughs as the use of an all-aluminum body and chassis. It remained in production, with an ongoing series of tweaks, for the next 15 years. After spending nearly a decade exploring ways to revive the iconic nameplate, Acura brought the NSX back in 2016, this time as a three-motor gas-electric hybrid. It was lightning fast, rocketing from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds, and used the unusual drivetrain's Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive system to give it the sort of handling that even Ferrari struggled to match. But production recently wrapped up with the end of a limited-edition run of NSX Type-S models. And, at least officially, Acura says it has no plan to bring the sports car back. No official plan, but company officials tell another story on background, noting that a third-generation NSX would be the perfect platform to highlight the brand's shift from internal combustion to battery-electric propulsion. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has shifted gears to EV production. (Photo by Tetsuya Kitayama) While parent Honda was an early pioneer in electrification, the carmaker was long reluctant to embrace pure battery power, much like its bigger rival Toyota Motor. To meet strict California emissions standards, Honda formed a joint venture with General Motors. That will see it bring two battery-electric vehicles to market in 2024: the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX. But, since taking over as CEO in April 2021, global CEO Toshihiro Mibe has shifted gears. Mibe plans to spend $40 billion to have his company go fully electric by 2040, with 30 BEVs due by the end of this decade. The plan actually expands on Honda's ties with GM -- the two set to work up a series of low-priced, all-electric models by taking advantage of their joint economies of scale. But Honda also is developing a BEV platform of its own. Dubbed the e:Architecture, it will provide the underpinnings for both mainstream Honda and highline Acura models. And that's where a new NSX would come in, according to Ikeda. It would fit its role as a halo nameplate and provide a clear indication of what the new battery-car platform is technically capable of. Battery propulsion systems are, by nature, capable of delivering impressive performance, noted Ikeda, as electric motors deliver maximum torque the moment they start spinning. And a number of automakers are putting that to good use already. Even mainstream models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 can deliver sports car-level 0-60 (mph, or 0-96 kph) times, depending on their configuration. Extreme machines, such as the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Dream Performance edition, are turning in some of the fastest launches ever, at barely 2 seconds. And Croatia's Rimac is hinting at a new model that could cut even that time in half. But Ikeda cautioned that a new NSX wouldn't simply deliver rocket-like speed. As with the second-generation hybrid model, the goal would be to demonstrate extreme levels of handling and other technological advantages. "It won't be just about straight lines," he stressed. The final decision on bringing back the NSX will likely be up to Mibe, Ikeda acknowledged, though the new CEO's support for electric power appears to be a solid sign that a new sports car will follow. The real question, Ikeda and other insiders said, is one of timing. While Acura will have Prologue, its first long-range battery-electric vehicle, in production in 2024, it will be a couple more years before its first model based on the e:Architecture platform is ready. And that, several said, would seem to be the perfect time to debut a new NSX. Late to the BEV market, Acura could need a halo product to show it can truly compete with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus, as well as all-electric brands such as Tesla. If Mibe gives the go-ahead, that could see formal development of a next-generation Acura NSX begin within the next year or two. Paul A. Eisenstein is the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of TheDetroitBureau.com, an U.S. automotive web magazine.

No more F1 and UFC from 1st Oct 2021. Fox Sports exiting SG. https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/sports-fans-in-spore-face-anxious-wait-as-cessation-of-fox-sports-channels-looms Sports fans in S'pore face anxious wait as cessation of Fox Sports channels looms Post-race highlights of F1 races are no substitute for the live races themselves, said an F1 fan.PHOTO: EPA-EFE Kimberly Kwek PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO FACEBOOKWHATSAPP SINGAPORE - Formula One, tennis' Grand Slams and the Majors in golf have long been a staple of sports fans' diet but they could no longer be available to those in Singapore from next Friday (Oct 1), when Disney shuts 13 pay-television channels, including its Fox Sports channels. The decision was announced in April "to pivot towards a direct-to-consumer-first model and further grow (its) streaming services". Telcos Singtel and StarHub had offered these channels as part of their subscription packages and while on Friday both announced they have secured the broadcast rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the status of F1 and the premier events in golf and tennis remains unclear. David Tan, a StarHub subscriber who is a UFC and F1 fan, expressed his disappointment at the lack of updates from the companies over the past few months especially when "they had six months to do something about it". He added: "We waited for them to release more information, but they just said we'll lose Fox Sports but we still can enjoy the other channels. "They should have more feedback channels, which wasn't done well so it gives the impression that they don't really care." In response to queries from The Sunday Times, both telcos acknowledged the situation and said they were trying to resolve it. A StarHub spokesman said: "We are aware that a segment of customers may still feel some impact, as alternative viewing means are not yet available for certain 'live' sports events. "To this end, we remain in talks with various content providers to enter broadcast deals for popular sporting events, to cater to our customers' needs. We will make available more information when there are developments." The spokesman noted it has other offerings like the Bundesliga, UFC, WTA Tour, World Wrestling Entertainment and National Basketball Association (NBA). Singtel, which in recent months has added world cricket tournaments through Astro Cricket plus the World Table Tennis and Badminton Asia Championship, said it will "continue to look for quality and popular live sporting events to enhance our sports line-up for customers, and we will share further updates in the coming weeks". But F1 fan and Singtel subscriber Gilbert Teo, 30, reckons such content cannot supplant what will soon be disappearing from his screen. The senior account manager at an adtech company said: "Maybe there are additional sports events, but it's not a like-for-like replacement." Even post-race highlights of F1 races are no substitute for the live races themselves, he added. Aside from the telcos, there are other options for consumers, like over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms from the rights holders themselves. There are MotoGP Videopass, F1 TV and Golf TV but there are some limitations. For example, F1 TV Pro is unavailable in Singapore, meaning fans here can only watch race replays. Golf TV has live coverage of PGA Tour and European Tour events but has only one Major, the British Open, on its line-up. None of the four tennis Grand Slams (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open) have a dedicated OTT service. Teo does not plan to cancel his subscription as his current TV package, which he pays about $90 monthly for, includes the English Premier League, but feels there should be some form of rebate from the telcos. He said: "The price of watching sports in Singapore is very high so if they don't have the telecast of certain channels, I think we should have a fair compensation." Existing TV packages that include the Fox Sports channels range from $33.80 to $99.90 for Singtel, while StarHub's Sports+ package costs $20 monthly. The Singtel packages include access to non-sports channels. The looming Oct 1 deadline is particularly significant for F1 fans like dietitian Melody Foo, 29. After this weekend's Russian Grand Prix, there are another seven races scheduled for this season with Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton locked in fierce battle - the former leads by five points - for the drivers championship. Foo said: "It's definitely a concern that I cannot watch them, it's a big part of my life and I look forward to watching all these (competitions) during the weekend. "The next Grand Slam (Australian Open) is in January so I still have time for tennis and the ATP tournaments are still showing, so that's still okay." Even though Hong Kong pay-TV service provider Now TV secured the rights for the F1 and US Open following Disney's decision, Deloitte South-east Asia sports business group leader James Walton said it is unclear if the local telcos would follow suit. He said: "Realistically, it's now down to a point where unless beIN Sports steps up or Singtel or StarHub decide to invest in this, there will be a question of how many channels they want to run, how much content they want to produce and do they really see any value in locally broadcasting some of these activities or if it'll go into video-on-demand. "But ultimately, it's looking increasingly likely that a lot of these sporting properties are heading towards video-on-demand, subscription and pay-per-view models and it's something that fans will have to get used to in the years to come."

JDM, Euro and Exotic sports cars For the uninitiated, sports cars consist of 3 main categories: JDM, Euro, and Exotic. These sports cars come in a bunch of varying specifications. Let me give you some examples. The Renault Megane RS is a 4-cylinder turbocharged, manual, front-wheel-drive Euro sports car. Likewise, the Mclaren 720S is a V8 twin-turbocharged, automatic, rear-wheel-drive exotic sports car. Last but not least, we have the iconic JDM street-legal rally car – The Subaru Impreza WRX, a 4-cylinder turbocharged, all-wheel-drive sports car that is available in both the manual and automatic transmission. The list goes on and on, but you get my intention, don’t you? With dozens of offerings for sports cars of varying specifications, there is always an ideal sports car for you, no matter the specifications you require and whether you can afford it. Why 2030? Unless you have been living under a rock, you would have encountered the Electric Vehicle (EV) craze surrounding us lately. According to the SG Green Plan 2030 (SGP 2030) announced during Budget 2021, we will be looking at significant changes to the status quo. Nope, I am not talking about the rise in petrol duty rates. I am referring to the phasing out of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040, driven by these three aspects of the SGP 2030: Cessation of new diesel cars and taxi registrations from 2025 Requirement of newly registered cars to be of cleaner-energy models from 2030; and All vehicles to run on cleaner energy by 2040 What does it mean for us? The SGP 2030, coupled with our beloved COE system, is the perfect formula for phasing out ICE cars in Singapore. Unfortunately, this will spell the demise of JDM, Euro and Exotic sports cars alike. From 2030 onwards, the supply of ICE sports cars will be what we currently have in the market. As such, does this mean that the low supply of ICE sports cars drives its market value up? If you wish to drive your dream Nissan GTR, BMW M4 or Lamborghini Aventador in the future, you better pray hard that its current owner renews its COE. Then again, it would be best to consider the maintenance and upkeep cost required for these ageing cars before purchasing them in the future. Similarly, manual transmission cars will be phased out eventually. Here's why. EVs have an electric motor in place of an ICE vehicle’s “engine” by using a single-speed transmission that regulates their electric motor. Except for the Porsche Taycan, which uses a Two-Speed gearbox. As such, EVs come only in automatic transmissions, and the phasing out of existing manual transmission ICE cars means the demise of manual transmission cars. Electric Sports Cars Yes, they are insanely fast. Yes, it produces instantaneous torque. But can we consider them as true-blue sports cars? Aside from the speed and torque, car enthusiasts also seek the pleasure of high engine revs, the burbling exhaust sound and, most importantly, the liberty to modify various car performance components – None of which an electric sports car is capable of fulfilling. Furthermore, the single-speed transmission that regulates its electric motor seems like a bore that takes the fun out of driving compared to manual gear shifts or the quick gear shifting of DCT transmissions. For those Gen Y & Z car enthusiasts out there, I will do one for you. — Here’s a plea to those of you that currently own any sports car; please renew your COE so that the future generations of car enthusiasts will have a chance to own the car of our (childhood) dream someday. Last Thoughts The golden question here is, will a manual (class 3) license still be relevant in the near future? If it is irrelevant and deemed obsolete, this will remove any segregation between the community’s existing “Class 3 vs 3A” mentality. If you are unaware of the "Class 3 vs 3A" commotion, read the article below: --- Thinking of selling your car? sgCarMart Quotz guarantees the highest selling price for your car. We’ll even give you $100 cash if you find a better offer elsewhere! Get a free quote to find out how much your car is worth today!

Over the years, we’ve seen our fair share of sports cars racing and speeding on the roads, especially late at night. While most of these drivers are experienced and often race without injury, it is not all that uncommon for them to get involved in a major accident. With one wrong move, these drivers might find themselves crashing their precious supercar beyond salvation. This then begs the question – Should there be a new class of license for sports cars? What is a sports car? Once used to describe two-seater cars with a soft top that are eligible for competition in the postwar era, the definition behind the term ‘sports car’ today seems to have faded into a rather grey area. For most consumers, a ‘sports car’ might be used to refer to any car that was manufactured by luxury automobile companies such as Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini. While these brands are famous for their sports cars, Asian automakers like Honda, Toyota and Nissan are often referred to as 'bread and butter', and not deemed with the same high regard (even though these brands produced some legendary sports cars like the NSX, Supra and GT-R) For the sake of this article, we shall define a ‘sports car’ as cars with a high-powered engine of more than 200 bhp, and generally seats two people. This includes a wide array of offerings, such as the BMW Z4, Porsche 718 Boxster and Alpine A110. More implementations for sports cars in SG Following the tragic Tanjong Pagar accident earlier this year, the government has installed more safety features to decrease speeding incidents along long stretches of roads. According to the Straits Times, road dividers, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be implemented. The Traffic Police has stepped up patrols and enforcement in the area as well to deter and detect similar traffic offences. The accident occurred after a speeding white BMW M4 Coupe, a powerful vehicle that produces 510 bhp and 650 Nm of torque, crashed into a vacant shophouse unit and burst into flames. All five individuals in the car were killed. Call for a sports car license Although the Tanjong Pagar accident has been deemed to be an isolated incident in the area, there have been more instances of sports cars getting involved in crashes all over the island. Some of these include: As much as I love fast cars, the reality is that there is nothing in life that would prepare any driver to pilot a rear-wheel-drive performance car that puts out close to 500 bhp. No matter how many years of driving experience one has unless it’s been in a high-powered sports car, it is a whole different ball game when it comes to a Mustang or a Miata. Like pilot licenses, where multi-engine planes and seaplanes require extra training and are add-ons to a standard private license, there should be a special class of driving license should be implemented for these fast vehicles. Drivers of all ages should be better prepared if they want to drive a sports car. Just my two-cents worth. Please don't roast me. --- Thinking of selling your car? sgCarMart Quotz guarantees the highest selling price for your car. We’ll even give you $100 cash if you find a better offer elsewhere! Get a free quote to find out how much your car is worth today!