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Mention the words 'small fun hatches for the driving enthusiast' and you will usually hear the words Swift Sport in reply. This may not be the case soon as 2013 has seen quite a few new arrivals like Renault's Clio RS 200 Turbo and Ford's Fiesta ST. A new addition to this group is Toyota with its new Vitz GRMN Turbo. The Vitz is actually Japan's version of the Yaris hatchback, which actually just arrived on our shores. GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Meister of Nurburgring and they are Toyota's racing partner. The Vitz GRMN Turbo churns out 150hp and 206Nm of torque from its 1.5-litre turbocharged in-line four and this non-turbocharged version of the engine actually comes from the Vios. Mated to this engine is five-speed manual transmission with well-placed alloy foot pedals to allow for quick shifting. No official figures were given but we reckon it will blitz the century mark in well under 9 seconds. With a low kerbweight of 1,070kg, it should be able to walk away from a Swift Sport easily. To keep the car under control, Gazoo Racing added a larger four-pot caliper brake system and recalibrated the suspension to make it sportier. Larger 17-inch rims round up the chassis dynamic upgrades. The racy theme follows into the car with the standard Vitz seats giving way to snug, Alcantara-lined racing seats and a cool-looking metallic instrument cluster. Even the audio system has been removed to keep the weight down. Here's the bad news. Production is limited to just 200 units and out of the 200 units, we will be receiving erm.. zero.
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Following a teaser released earlier, Ram has introduced the 1500 Rumble Bee Concept. The concept marks the 10th anniversary of the Rumble Bee, a popular model inspired by the Super Bee muscle car of the late 1960s. This muscle truck is based on a 2013 Ram 1500 Road/Track (R/T) and has a two-door, two-wheel drive setup with a matte 'Drone Yellow' paint. Both sides of the truck feature a new 'Speed Bee' design within a glossy black stripe which fades into the honeycomb. It sits on glossy 24-inch Vellano VRH alloys and has a two-inch lowered suspension courtesy of King Suspension. The dual-exhaust tailpipes, fuel door, badging, hood vents and front grille are in glossy black, adding on to the car's aggression. Traditional Rumble/Super Bee colours and graphics spread throughout the vehicle, including the Ram R/T-based interior that features black and 'Drone Yellow' leather sport mesh seats with two-tone yellow/light-grey stitching. 'Rumble Bee' lettering and Ram logos adorn chairs, floor mats and door bolsters. Now if you look closer - there is a real amber-encased bee mounted into the rotary gear knob, which will light up to expose a honeycomb pattern background. Is that weird or cool? There are also two buttons positioned below, which make the cat-back Mopar dual-exhaust system go from loud to louder. The unique honeycomb pattern is shared with the door trim and the dash, where a milled aluminum '10th Anniversary' commemorative badge serves as the truck's ID. Powering the 2013 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee Concept is a HEMI 5.7-litre engine mated to an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission delivering 395bhp and a peak torque of 551Nm. Talk about a huge-ass rumbling bee ramming your way..
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Subaru teased us with a photo of the BRZ with the enticing STi logo on its Japanese website a few days ago. However, it turns out that it is actually a tS edition, which will commence selling soon. The Subaru tS edition will be available for sale in two different versions - the standard BRZ tS and the BRZ tS 'GT-package'. The white car seen here is fitted with the 'GT-package' comes with new 17-inch lightweight black alloy rims, a more pronounced front lip, side skirt and rear bumper. It will also get lower springs, sports muffler, front strut tower bar and some interior trimmings. Bigger Brembo brakes, Bilstein dampers, lightweight driveshaft, Recaro seats and a GT carbon fibre wing are some of the features that buyers can get for this car. The standard tS makes do with the aforementioned bodykit, springs, muffler, strut bar and the minor interior details. A total of 500 units will be produced and it will very likely be a Japan-only model. Tough luck for us locals! We wonder if Subaru will produce a full blown turbocharged STi version of the BRZ. We are definitely crossing our fingers for that one!
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Jay Leno welcomes the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 into his garage
Akram_saheed posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Point a kid or teenager to the Chevrolet Camaro and they will probably just scream "Bumblebee!" Thanks to GM's association with the billion dollar Transformers trilogy (S$3.38 Billion in box office receipts to be exact), the retro Beetle was replaced with the fifth generation Camaro concept, and modified versions of it appeared in the sequels - much to the hatred of hardcore Transformers fans. But hey at least the sfx was awesome. The Camaro was envisioned as a competitor to the legendary Ford Mustang. But compared to the American stallion, the bowtie did not fare well in sales or recognition as a muscle car in its first year. Production commenced in September 1966, and the Camaro survived four generations until the model went out of production in 2002. After eight years of hibernation, the Camaro name was revived with the fifth generation (or post Transformers generation) armed with a new design and platform. I have to admit after years of viewing the mustangs, corvettes and challengers - it was refreshing to see the sharp and striking looking Camaro. Not to mention the larger than life heroic portrayal in the live-action Transformers trilogy aided the nameplate, especially with the younger audience. I am no expert in muscle cars, but if there is anyone out there who knows his muscle cars more than anyone else - it could be is none other than the self-confessed auto nut, Jay Leno. Frequent visitors of the blog might be familiar with his web series -
With 197bhp, 300Nm of torque and a top speed of 234km/h, a high performance version of the new 1.6-litre SIDI turbo engine will globally premiere in a Vauxhall Cascada at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The engine is one of the newly-designed Vauxhall four-cylinder SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) units and will join the existing 167bhp 1.6-litre SIDI turbo, available from its launch. The new power unit delivers 11 percent more power, including 300Nm maximum torque with overboost - 70Nm more than the comparable 1.6-litre turbo predecessor. At the heart of the SIDI turbo is a new engine block that can withstand a maximum combustion pressure of up to 130 bar in the cylinder. The block is made of grey cast iron with an aluminium baseplate. A different type of piston was also developed on top of a reduced compression ratio. Vauxhall engineers also achieved a high power output with exceptional refinement by optimising the car
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The 2013 Ford SVT Raptor. Something cool for the non- tree hugging people.
chitchatboy posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
This is probably not your everyday car nor is it going to be setting any track records. But it is, by far, one of the coolest vehicles ever produced in recent years. The Ford Raptor debuted in 2010 as a SuperCab model with 310bhp, 5.4-litre V8 as a truck that is built to travel off-road at speeds that will break normal trucks. Since then it has been upgraded to a 6.2-litre V8, with 411bhp and 588Nm of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. As with the 2010 version, the 2013 F-150 SVT Raptor is also available in a four-door SuperCrew model. With the introduction of the 2013 model, it features industry-first, direct-from-the-factory forged-aluminum conventional wheels that can be upgraded after purchase to extra-capable beadlocks. Beadlock wheels secure the edges of a tyre to the wheel between two surfaces so the tyre is unlikely to roll off the rim if it's aired down to very low pressure, providing extra grip on the trail. For 2013, SVT Raptor adds a new 4.2-inch multifunction LCD screen for the MyFord -
Nothing is official yet, but we hear that the local distributor may be bringing in the four-door bodystyle of the WRX STi. This is good news for the local fans of Japanese sports cars after the dust from the Toyota 86 and Subaru's own BRZ has settled. From the late 90s to the early 2000s, its arch rival - the Mitsubishi Evolution - and itself, carved out a niche for themselves with their boombastic point and shoot performance. Its basic iteration, the Impreza WRX, was easily the best bang for buck performance car in Singapore when the price of COE was low. All the local racing wannabes hankered after one. Fast forward to today, soaring COEs and the onslaught of German hot hatches contributed to the falling appeal of these wonderful rally reps. We are hoping the new four-door body will come soon and allow the newer generation of drivers to taste the magic of these rally-inspired turbocharged AWD sedans. And yes, there may also be a automatic version too for those who prefer a less frantic experience.
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The Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer produced from 1978 to 2002. As an iconic sports car, the Supra has appeared in numerous video games and movies. Some of the most notable appearances include Grand Theft Auto, Gran Turismo, and Need for Speed series of video games as well as The Fast and the Furious film series. Let's take a look back at the history of the Toyota legend. The first generation Supra was born in 1978 and was based largely upon the Toyota Celica liftback, but was longer by about 130mm. Toyota's original plan for the Supra at this time was to market it as a competitor to the very popular Datsun Z-car. In late 1981, Toyota completely redesigned the Supra for its 1982 production year. Still based around the Celica platform, there were several key differences seen in the Mark II, most notably the design of the front end and fully retractable pop-up headlights. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra became a separate model from the Celica. In turn, Toyota also stopped using the prefix Celica and began just calling the car Supra. The Mark III Supra launched in February 1986 with an all new coupe body fractionally shorter than the outgoing model. We see some similarities with the Nissan 180SX and 240SX here... did Nissan lift some design off Toyota? The fourth generation and last Supra was first unveiled at the 1993 Chicago Motor Show after a four-year developmental gestation. Unlike the previous three generations, the car's proportions and flowing design owed more to the 2000GT. Thanks to a long, low bonnet line and high-rise optional rear spoiler, it was nevertheless aerodynamically efficient and clearly aimed at delivering a much higher top speed. The Mark IV Supra was by far the most successful in motorsport and also the one that we fondly remembered. The model won its class in the Swiss Mountain Races and competed in two years of Le Mans. More impressively, it charged up Pikes Peak, was competitive in American SCCA racing, and became a dominant force in the All-Japan GT Championships (JGTC) from 1995 all the way through to 2003. Despite these successes, however, times were changing and worldwide vehicle purchasing trends were slowly moving away from sports cars like the Supra. The Supra was discontinued in the U.K. in late 1996 and by the end of 1998, the Supra's four-generation run in North America had also come to an end. Production continued in Japan until August 2002, ceasing owing to restrictive emission standards. There has been plenty of speculation as to the return of the Supra nameplate in recent years and the good news is that the legend may well make a comeback. No clues as to how it may look, but there have been words that it may look like the above rendered image or the FT-HS hybrid sports car concept (below). Toyota Motor Corp's Chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada, has also said that he wants the sports car the company is co-developing with BMW to be a mid-sized vehicle comparable to the discontinued Supra. Uchiyamada also added on that Toyota's next sports car should be like the Supra so that it doesn't overlap with the 86 coupe (above). Should Uchiyamada, who's leading the negotiations with BMW, get his wish, Toyota would be reviving a model that was last produced in 1999 after a 20-year run. We do hope that the rumours comes true, as well as seeing the Supra land on our shores.
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BMW Asia together with the local distributors of the German marque - Performance Motors Limited (PML) - locally launched the all new 3 Series Gran Turismo (GT) last week. The car is a looker, it has typical BMW dimensions and trademark design characteristics that does not fall from the existing 3 Series family. BMW claims, the 3 Series GT combines the Sedan's dynamic, sporting genes with the practicality and versatility of the Touring body style. Personally, I think the car suffers from severe personality disorder(s). I have nothing against the car or the potential buyers or even the brand. With a guy who possesses mild traits of OCD, I am just confused with is the sole purpose of the 3 Series GT and not to mention I do understand the whole trend of 'hybrid' multitasking products. Let me put it this way, you belong to one of the affluent classes (or getting there), you have a successful job, a small family and a decent pay that allows you to buy the above mentioned car despite the stringent loan restrictions and rules. On a simple night out with friends or extended family members you display your new metallic and leather possession
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The Shibetsu Proving Ground (SPG) in Japan is the birthplace of the original Lexus LS 400 and has been the top secret test track for new Lexus models. Recently, Lexus offered an inside look at it. The SPG opened in 1984 after six years of planning and building. Rumour has it that the scale of the construction was so large, the Soviets mistook it for a fort being created by the Japanese. Imagine the Soviets mobilising their troops..right.. Hidden behind heavy security and tall metal fences are five circuits, each varying in size and function. The longest of these is about 10 kilometres. The tracks are surrounded with tiny villages of buildings and facilities, used to assess and maintain all kinds of vehicles, ranging from production cars to highly confidential prototype models. A high speed circuit on home soil didn't take long to bear fruit for Lexus. Firstly, the SPG helped reduce costs. It also sped up the research and development process, with the majority of testing now done in-house. When it came to the LS 400, the proving ground's biggest contribution was helping to forge superb aerodynamics and an exceptionally quiet cabin environment. More impressively, the engineers could analyse and perfect the vehicle's acceleration, movement and noise at speeds as fast as 250km/h - impossible on the shorter domestic courses previously used by Lexus. The four other circuits at Shibetsu also have their own special features - such as tree-lined country roads - to help put vehicles through their paces. To examine the effects of certain road conditions on Lexus vehicles, more than 20 road surfaces unique to different regions and countries around the world, such as the German autobahns, have been duplicated and installed on several sections of the courses at Shibetsu. We wonder if there's a mini Nurburgring in the SPG? Well all in all, SPG brims over with everything the Lexus automobile engineer - they call them takumi - needs to hone the vehicles. Is this Area 51 for Lexus? Or perhaps they have another Area 52 somewhere else? Whatever it is, this is a really rare glimpse and we hope to see more of these in the future, only if allowed of course. Photo Credits : Lexus International
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2013 has seen quite a good number of car launches in Singapore so far. Many were important models while a few of them were highly anticipated ones. The Lexus IS, Audi A3 and Porsche Cayman are examples of such. So what's left for 2013 that deserves the extra attention? Alfa Romeo 4C There has been much hype about this little sports car for some time now and it isn't dying anytime soon. Why would it when it has a lacquered carbon tub, 237bhp, plentiful torque, weighs less than a tonne and utilises an unassisted steering? Also included in the package are a mid-mounted engine and a dual-clutch gearbox for maximum efficiency. A 45 AMG Hot hatches. Any true blue enthusiast will hanker after one sometime in his/her life. How about the most powerful one currently in production? The A 45 AMG has 355bhp from a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a huge specific power output of 178bhp per litre. According to Mercedes Benz, it can also do around 17km/L, which is frankly a miracle. Coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive it is going to be one good weapon for the track. Look out for these two. I'm serious.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm90__azVSo Mercedes has revealed the 2014 S 63 AMG ahead of its public debut in September's Frankfurt Motor Show. The high performance Mercedes flagship sedan is powered by a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged 5.5-litres V8 engine which delivers 585 bhp and 900Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT sports transmission with three selections, namely "C" (Controlled Efficiency), "S" (Sport) and "M" (Manual). Both the SWB and LWB S 63 AMG take only 4.4 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill. The AWD 4MATIC model even manages to shave off 0.4 seconds from the century sprint performance. All models have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. The new S 63 AMG is up to 100kg lighter than its predecessor due to several weight saving measures. These include the usage of light alloy rims, aluminum construction for the roof and front panels, usage of carbon fibre for the spare wheel recess, among others. The lithium-ion battery itself already contributed to 20kg of weight savings. The S 63 AMG is equipped with Mercedes' AIRMATIC suspension which offers continuous damping adjustment. This enables the performance sedan to adjust better to driving styles and road conditions. The suspension offers two settings, namely "Comfort" and "Sport". A torque vectoring system helps to improve handling. High performance AMG ceramic composite brake, which weighs 20 percent lighter than stock ones, is on the option list.
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If you live in China (or plan to go there in the near future) and you have extra amount of money to spend, you may want to consider buying yourself a luxury coupe from German automaker BMW. Introduced for the first time back at this year's Detroit Motor Show, BMW is planning to start selling the M6 Gran Coupe in a wide range of countries, including China where the model has already made its debut. Let me remind you, to me, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe is nothing less than a very luxurious four-door coupe that will not hesitate to take you to the century sprint in only 4.2 seconds. Under its hood, the coupe packs a 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine which has the capability of delivering the power of no less than 560 horses in addition to 680Nm of torque in total. In order to sell the model in the origin country of pandas, the German automaker has teamed up with Brilliance, a local company, and they both have planned big things for the said coupe. Well, last but not least, as far as the price tag is concerned, BMW is demanding 2,390,000 yuan (around S$493,000) in exchange for a M6 Gran Coupe. Well, are you interested?
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Mercedes-Benz claims that the 2014 S-Class is the best car in the world. AutoExpress took the brand new German flagship sedan for a spin in Canada to see if the claim is justified. Since the S-Class is supposed to pamper its occupants, the review begins with the reviewer taking a back seat and enjoying the executive seat package. Well, I was pretty amazed by the hot stone massage function, pull-up table from the centre arm rest and air conditioning system which included five different fragrances. The reviewer proceeds to take over the helm and he was impressed by the way the magic body control scans the road conditions and sets up the suspension accordingly. Speed bumps are soaked up very well and the occupants would barely feel them. Taking into account the price and level of engineering and technology, the reviewer concludes by saying that the new S-Class could just be the best car in world. However, everyone has a different set of judging criteria. Perhaps, it would be more appropriate to say that the S-Class could be the best "towkay" car in the world.
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The 2013 Skoda Octavia RS will be making its debut at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed. But before that, the Czech automaker has released the first official video featuring the RS in sedan and Combi body styles. On the exterior, the Octavia RS has subtle styling cues that distinguish it from the regular model. These include a blackened grille, honeycomb air intake, dual chromed exhaust pipes, red brake calipers and a rear spoiler for the sedan. The new generation Octavia RS is available with either a 2.0-litres TSI petrol engine producing 220 bhp or a 2.0-litres TDI delivering 184 bhp. Both engines are available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed DSG dual clutch transmission. The petrol/manual combination sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds while the TDI/manual version takes 8.1 seconds to do so. Sports Chassis is standard equipment on the RS, which makes the car sit 15mm lower than the standard Octavia. Electronic XDS differential lock is also a standard feature, which is part of the ESC electronic stabilisation programme. The XDS system improves wheel traction and reduces understeering during fast cornering.
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A friend of mine visited the Nissan showroom recently and was informed that a hatchback from Thailand would be launched in Singapore sometime in August this year. A visit to Nissan Thailand website revealed that this model could likely be the Nissan Pulsar. The Pulsar hatchback is known as the Tiida (Latio Sport) in other parts of the world. Hence, the Pulsar is the spiritual successor to the Latio Sport, which was a popular hatchback in Singapore. The Pulsar shares the same engine and transmission options as the Sylphy. This means a DOHC Twin C-VTC 1.6-litre that pushes out 116bhp and 154Nm of torque as well as a 1.8-litre version that churns out 129bhp and 174Nm of torque. Both engines are mated exclusively to an Xtronic CVT gearbox. The Nissan Pulsar measures 4,295mm by 1,760mm by 1,520mm (L x W x H) with a wheelbase of 2,700mm. This is similar to the Sylphy and is 100mm longer than the first generation Latio Sport. Should the Pulsar arrive at the Lion City, it will face stiff competition from the likes of the VW Golf, Opel Astra, and not forgetting the forth coming Mazda3 and Forte K3 hatch.
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[extract] Skoda has unveiled the estate version of the Rapid sedan ahead of its world premiere at September
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The Sin R1 is as fast as the Bugatti Veyron with only 525bhp
FaezClutchless posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Bugatti Veyron is a car that many would easily recognise especially if you are a car nut. It is a powerful machine with over 1000bhp, a top speed of over 400km/h and does the century sprint in 2.46 seconds. But, I am not going to write or talk about the Bugatti Veyron. Instead this is about a car that can accomplish the century sprint in 2.5 seconds with only around half of the Veyron -
Auto Express pits the Mercedes A 45 AMG against the CLA 45 AMG
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Both cars are built on the same platform. Both are powered by the most powerful series-production four-cylinder turbo engine in the world. Not only that, both are equipped with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission and performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive. These two cars could not be more similar. We are taking about the Mercedes A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG. Auto Express has put up a comparison test involving the two AMG vehicles. These cars are the first four-cylinder models from the tuning company. So, which model will emerge victorious ? The CLA 45 AMG The A 45 AMG -
Toyota and Nickelodeon collaborate on a eccentric Spongebob themed vehicle
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Nickelodeon and Toyota have collaborated together for the first SpongeBob SquarePants-inspired vehicle. The SpongeBob 2014 Toyota Highlander will feature a custom SpongeBob-themed exterior and an interior design that captures the character's high-octane energy and his eye-blinding yellow colour. While I used to be a fan of the show in my younger days, I would not go to the extent of wrapping my vehicle with his square jawed face. Especially the headrests. They look freaky and I have no idea what kind of a kid would enjoy a ride in a yellow car with a face on the headrest. The one-of-a-kind (thankfully) concept is based on the new highlander and was unveiled on July 13th, during Nickelodeon's SpongeBob Day at the Padres vs. Giants game in California. The car will embark on a tour for a "Happy Driving!" promotional tour throughout the U.S.A, bringing SpongeBob's special brand of fun to seven locations across the country. As part of the "Happy Driving!" campaign, the SpongeBob Toyota Highlander will visit seven locations, from July 19th to December 9th. These events will feature character meet-and-greets and photo opportunities and a prize wheel where kids and families can win exclusive prizes. Fans can go to the Nickelodeon, SpongeBob and Patrick Facebook pages to see photos of the SpongeBob Highlander's road trip and the intricate design details of the vehicle. The redesigned 2014 Highlander made its global debut on late March at the New York Auto Show this year. Toyota claims the 2014 Highlander has plenty of cargo room, enhanced safety features and a sophisticated interior -
After all the speculations, here's the first set of official photos of the 2014 Mazda3 sedan. Bearing the same front fascia as the hatchback, the Mazda3 has a short boot with an elongated bonnet, giving the new sedan an imposing stance. From certain angle, the latest Mazda3 bears a resemblance to the second generation Lexus IS, which is not a bad thing. In my opinion, the Mazda3 and Kia K3 are currently the best-looking compact sedans from Asia. The Mazda3 sedan will be offered with the same engine and gearbox line up as the recently-launched hatchback version. This means a range of SKYACTIV-G petrol with capacities of 1.5-litre, 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre and a 2.2-litre SKYACTIV-D diesel. Depending on the model, transmission options include a six-speed automatic and a six-speed manual gearbox. According to a report by The Straits Times, the new Mazda3 will arrive in Singapore in the first half of 2014. In the meantime, we can feast our eyes on the gallery below.
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[extract] Although the 20th Anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is over, Ferrari fans had many memories on which to reflect until next year's event. The Italian marque was represented by a diverse array of classic and modern road and race cars from the Prancing Horse
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New Range Rover Sport races the mighty Spitfire aircraft at Goodwood
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] Two examples of British engineering, the new Range Rover Sport and the legendary Supermarine Spitfire, have engaged in a unique duel to measure their off-road mastery. The Range Rover Sport, the fastest production Land Rover to date, representing the latest advances in all-terrain performance has been pitted against Britain -
[extract] The Queen
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The annual CATS Classified Car-nival took place at the Singapore Expo on 7th July. The event showcased both new and pre-owned cars, car-related accessories and other services. In addition, there was a Race Queen Pageant, games and what's a carnival without free goodies! While I was at the event, happily snapping away photos, I indulged in a packet of Oregon Fresh potato chips and a can of Orchard Fresh Grape Float that were distributed freely. Below are snippets of the models - both four-wheeled and two-legged - that were on display.