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Recently, I read from an advertisement on The Straits Times that the C-Class C180 Blue Efficiency sedan will receive a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. Erm, but don't we already have a 1.6-litre C-Class sedan in the form of the supercharged C180 Kompressor Blue Efficiency ? This spurred me to demystify what this new engine is all about. Codenamed M274, this new turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is the longitudinally mounted version of the M270 which has already made its debut on the new generation A-Class. The M274 is developed for use in rear-wheel-drive platform. The advent of the M274 will lead to a gradual phasing out of the current M271, a turbocharged 1.8-litre with up to 201bhp. The combustion process of the new engine is based on the third generation Mercedes-Benz direct injection system which was introduced last year with the BlueDIRECT V6 and V8 engines. It will feature a Camtronic two-stage variable valve lift. The direct injection system pressure is up to 200 bar and is variably optimized according to the engine
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[extract] Seat has finally pulled the wraps off the production version of the new generation Toledo. Like its twin sister, the newly launched Skoda Rapid compact sedan, the MK4 Toledo measures 4,480mm from head to tail. And just like the Rapid, the Toledo is a notchback saloon and comes equipped with a wide-opening rear hatch. The styling differences between the two are concentrated in details such as the front end, the tail lights design, rear license plate fitment, wheel designs and interior trim. I prefer the front end of the Toledo as it looks sleeker and comes with more shapely head lights. However, when it comes to the rear, the typical
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[extract] BMW has already introduced the new 3-series in Singapore. Soon, there might be a new variant making its way here, the 316i. Like the 116i, the new entry level 3 series is powered by a 1.6-litre engine that features turbocharging and direct injection technologies. BMW
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[extract] The all new 2012 Toyota Camry has just arrived at our shores. It is available as a 2.0L, 2.5L and 2.5L hybrid. According to a recent interview conducted by sgcarmart with the Camry
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Making its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on 6 March 2012, the face-lifted RX range, consisting of the RX 270, RX 350 and RX Hybrid, is set to arrive in Singapore in Q2 this year. The new RX exterior features a new, more elegant and aggressive frontal design. An enhanced interior offers an expanded choice of colour schemes, new trim finishes, a new steering wheel, a revised instrument binnacle and a second generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI). The versatility of the RX Hybrid
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[extract] The newly launched F30 BMW 3series is bound to be a hit among most young (and not so young) urban professional. A lot equate the 3series as a symbol of success, good taste (subjective) and a sign that they are motoring enthusiasts. Those that buy the basic BMW 3series like the 320i or the 320d are usually those that also dream of owning an M3, or even if they do not actually want a M3, want their BMW 3 series to look much faster than what it usually is. This usually means a body kit by the usual suspects
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[extract] For those who wants to own a piece of the new BMW 3 series but would not want to fork out extra dough for the 328i, here
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[extract] The new Civic was launched in Singapore about a week before the 2012 Lunar New Year. Having owned the 8th generation Civic 2.0 SI (A), I was interested to find out how Honda builds upon an impressive ex-model. The new Civic maintains the low-slung, aerodynamic profile of its predecessor. However, the rear lights seem to adopt a more generic design rather than the distinctive
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I was looking forward to Monday, 12 Dec 11, not because I missed my work so much but rather it is the first day of BMW Fascination Roadshow. I was there on Monday in order to beat the weekend crowd, which would facilitate photo taking. In addition to catching a glimpse of the futuristic BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept Car as shown above, I was there to collect the Team BMW finisher pack for the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore and to see the all-new BMW 1 series in flesh (or rather metal). The 1 series model on display is the 118i Sport. It comes equipped with the aggressive-looking Xenon light for both low-beam and high-beam. According to the technical data, the 116i Urban comes fitted with similar headlights as well. Looking at the dashboard layout, the 1 Series makes you feel like you are in a vehicle that is of a higher class. The chunky steering is nice to hold and it comes with red stitching. The upper dashboard is laid with soft-touch plastics but is letdown by the material at the lower portion (especially the glovebox), which feels a little hard. The plastics on the internal door panel should have utilized better soft-touch material as well. On a more positive note, the thick interior door handle gives a substantial feel to the car and the supportive rear bench can accommodate 3 adults comfortably. The red stitching throughout the interior reminds the passengers that they are in the sport version which sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 7.5 secs. After surveying the 1 Series, I proceed to claim the finisher pack at the ticket counter, which consists of a pair of BMW slipper and towel. Both items feel
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[extract] According to AsiaOne Motoring, Toyota's latest sports coupe, the 86, will likely arrive in Singapore in the middle of 2012, as confirmed by Borneo Motors Singapore recently. In fact, the authorised distributor for Toyota has already started collecting indications of interest on the sports coupe concept on its website a few weeks ago (refer to the screenshot above). The 86 is recently launched at the 2011 Tokyo Motorshow. The rear-wheel driven 86 is developed in conjunction with Subaru. Power comes from Subaru's 2.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer engine with Toyota
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Team BMW @ Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore (SCMS) race pack collection
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
BMW is one of the co-sponsor of the SCMS 2011. As a participant, I went down to Marina Bay Sands to collect my race entry pack. The BMW booth was beaming with activities. Among many others, there were video games and a board game whereby the participant has to maneuver a table tennis ball within a restricted path. BMW staffs were also distributing balloons to the visitors. However, what I appreciate most is the race gift pack that BMW has prepared for all runners who had registered with Team BMW. Although I am a registered runner, I was unable to join them for their training runs due to time constraint. However, I was still entitled to the gift pack. (By the way, I was still serviced with a smile although I was wearing a Volkswagen Group Polo T.) Allow me to commend on the box prior to the contents. The box was constructed with the same high standard as the BMW automobiles. It comes with a slit that allows the box to be opened side way but at the same time has a built-in stopper that prevents the inner box from being removed completely. The design is quite thoughtful and reminds me of a mooncake container. The box contains a cap, wrist band, race belt and the best of all, a dri-fit T shirt. A generous gift pack from the German automaker indeed. BMW also distributed postcards to the runners to keep them informed of another upcoming BMW event, which is held from 12 to 18 Dec 11 at Suntec Singapore. Titled -
I was at the CATS Car-nival recently to catch the preview of the all-new Ford Focus. The model on display was the 4-door version, although I have hoped to see the 5-door instead as it looked more stunning in picture. However, buyers can select the 2 body styles which are priced similarly. A wagon body style is also available, costing an extra $3000. The avant-garde dashboard is attractively styled as compared to the more conservative VW Jetta. On top of that, the soft touch plastic on the dashboard feels good to touch and adds a premium feel to the interior. According to the sales lady, the plastic is supposedly certified to be non-allergic in the UK. However, the same quality feel cannot be said of the interior door panels, which is a shame as they are molded in hard plastic. The new Focus is available in two trims, namely the
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Prior to the CATS car-nival on 26-27 Nov 11, Borneo Motors has been advertising heavily on the all new Prius C hatchback. The Prius C is the second spin-off of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. I was looking forward to viewing the actual car at car-nival but was disappointed to see only a pair of live-sized cardboard showing information about the car. I understand from the sales lady that the car is not launched yet but interested buyers can put down a $2000 cash deposit, which is refundable if he decides not to make the purchase ultimately. Some research on the internet reveals that the production version of the baby Prius will be unveiled in the November 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The Prius C measures 3995 mm(L) x 1695 mm(B) x 1445 mm (H). In terms of dimension, it is slightly larger than the VW Polo. According to the sales lady, the launch price of the new hybrid model is expected to be around $110K, according to the current COE level. The damage to the wallet is quite similar to the Polo as well. Power is provided by the combination of a 1.5L VVT-I engine and a high-output motor to generate a total of 100 bhp. This propels the Prius C from 0 to 100km/h in 10.7 sec and returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 27km/L. The century sprint timing is somewhere between the Polo 1.4L and the 1.2TSI Sport. Although the achievability of the claimed fuel efficiency is unknown, what is certain in that the Prius C is a very safe car. It comes fitted with Traction Control, Anti-Lock Braking System and is awarded a 5 star NCAP rating. The baby Prius is stuffed with 7 SRS airbags
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If you are thinking of owning an all-new 2012 Lexus GS saloon but wish to pay less road tax, here is your chance. The new entry-level model for the GS saloon has been revealed in the form of the GS 250, equipped with a 209 hp 2.5-liter V6 Dual VVT-i engine featuring D-4S direct port injection. The base car was shown recently at the China International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou. The GS 250 is the third model in the new GS lineup after the GS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306 hp and the GS 450h that links a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 to the Lexus Hybrid Drive for a combined system output of 338 hp. The base 2.5-liter engine is capable of pushing the GS from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 230km/h. The 2.5-liter is mated to a close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission that features sequential manual shifting mode. According to Lexus, the GS 250 returns a combined fuel economy of 8.9L/100 km with CO2 emissions of 207g/km. Despite being the least powerful model of the range, the GS 250 is available with the optional F Sport Package that adds cosmetic touches such as a refreshed bumper, 19-inch alloys, sportier suspension setup and more direct steering wheel system. Lexus said that the new GS 250 will be available in several markets around the world including China, Japan and Europe. More specific details will be released nearer the date of the launch next year. I am pretty sure that Borneo Motors would welcome this model with open arms.
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[extract] I was reading The Straits Times on 6 Nov 11 and caught this advertisement on the new Hyundai Elantra. What actually caught my attention was not the car itself but the way advertisement was phrased. Don
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Some 35 yrs ago in 1976, the iconic VW Golf GTI hot hatch was born. According to the Chinese Zodiac, it coincides with the year of the Dragon. The dragon baby is certainly a lucky model for the VW, being perhaps the most recognizable car of the entire VW range. For the first time ever, Volkswagen Singapore is celebration the birthday of the Golf GTI in a big way on 26 and 27 November. At a specially transformed Old Kallang Airport, Golf GTI fans can catch an exclusive showcase of some of the best GTIs, including the extremely rare original model. The Golf GTI E35, the fastest production Golf GTI ever, will be displayed for the first time in the Lion City. The GTI E35 is powered by a detuned version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Golf R. It produces 232bhp of power and 300Nm of torque, which is down from the Golf R
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I had the lucky opportunity of taking the BMW 1-Series M Coupe for a short drive recently, when sgCarMart had the car for a review. And I must say, I'm deeply impressed with this amazing little car. A BMW M car is always special, no doubt. But the 1-Series M Coupe somehow brings back to the brand what it has been missing for a while now. Namely, a small, focused little car, with little frills, leaving the driver to concentrate on the art of just driving. Despite the fact that it's manual only (can be troublesome in Singapore), and that the pedals are a bit too offset to the right, you just never feel bothered about these little niggles when you drive the 1M. Because the rest of the car just feels, so addictive. Yes the power is ferocious, but the car also handles so gamely, at your control. It puts the power back into your hands, and the car goes along with what you ask of it. You want to flick the tail out? Sure, it will do that if you want to. You want it to go round corners quickly? It obeys your request as well. It's just a lovable little car, and whoever gets to own one, will be very lucky indeed. If I have to vote for the car of the year so far this year, this would be it.
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Audi announced the press launch of the A6 locally by inviting journalists and the media to the Changi Exhibition Centre, where they set up a huge circuit for us to put the car through its paces. Audi went all out to ensure that us privileged media had a great time, with a sandwich buffet spread and even a massage for the tired souls. But of course, the fun parts were outside, when we got to experience the all new A6, in a manner which most buyers will probably not put their cars through. There were three stages, the most sedate of which was the Park Assist station. This was to showcase the A6's novel new parking system, which (almost) literally parks the car itself. It's a complicated system of sensors and etc, and the driver still has to control the brakes and throttle, but it is quite an interesting feature, and it is quite surreal to see the car steering itself into the lot. Handy for those tight parking spaces you find sometimes. The other two stations involves slightly more hard driving. There was the slalom stage, where Audi offered us the chance to try out three cars. There was the new A6, in standard form; an old A6 for comparison; and a modifed new A6 that has been weighted down, so that it weighs the same as the old A6. The purpose of this test was to highlight the new A6's lighter aluminium construction, and how different the car feels with less weight. There was a noticable difference, as the new A6 felt more controllable, with better handling, than its predecessor. It goes to show that bigger may not always mean better. The final test, and the most anticipated one, was the dry circuit. Here, journos get two rounds in a new A6, set to Dynamic mode, and have to navigate a circuit set with a series of lane change manouveres, quick and slow corners, and another slalom, before ending with an emergency braking test. Us being us, we probably thrashed the life out of the poor car. But the A6 managed to cope well, despite having to endure numerous rounds of being abused at high speed. We don't recommend doing any of these on public roads however. All in all, the A6 proved an impressive performer on a day of tough torture. Which bodes well for potential buyers I guess. If you want a sneak preview of the new A6 (but without the hard driving unfortunately), Audi are showcasing it at an event held at the Marina Bay Sands, together with a massive 14-storey tall mega yacht, from the end of August until September. The supermaxi yacht, called the "Audi ultra lightweight", will then be moored at the One Degree 15 Marina Club until October. For more information, click here.
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Local Kia distributor has just announced the arrival of the new Kia Forte hatchback, fresh off the back of the recently-revised Forte models with new six-speed gearboxes earlier this year. Oddly enough, as I was driving the six-speed Cerato Forte the other day, I was wondering to myself, when will Kia bring in the Forte hatchback, if at all. And lo and behold, they have done! It promises to be exciting times ahead for fans of Korean-made cars. Chevrolet and Kia fired the first salvos earlier this year with revised versions of their Cruze and Cerato Forte sedans respectively. Hyundai was prepared to hit back with the launch of their new Avante replacement (which will re-use the Elantra name once again) in the next couple of months, but Kia pulled off another trick by releasing the Forte hatchback. We're expecting the Cruze hatchback before this year is out too, so all three manufacturers are most certainly battling hard for the consumer's dollar. I guess especially so now with COE prices showing no signs of coming down, Korean carmakers have to fight even harder for a decreasing slice of the Singapore automotive pie. Which can only mean more choices for us. Now, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?
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Porsche held a launch event at Prive at Keppel Bay, for the ultra-exclusive Porsche 911 Speedster. Just 356 of this limited edition sports car will be built, and Singapore gets just the one unit. This white one you see here is the only example available locally, and it has already been spoken for. The Sppedster is an iconic part of the Porsche's history, with the first one being based on the classic 356 (hence the numbers). Subsequent Speedsters were based on 911s, but they all have that unmistakable Speedster look, such as the double-bubble tonneau cover for the (manually-folding) roof. Performance is also a Speedster highlight, with the latest one featuring an uprated version of the 911's 3.8-litre flat-six boxer engine, producing 408bhp. For the lucky dude who managed to snag the one and only 911 Speedster in Singapore, he's bound to be the envy of all his friends. Let's just hope that the car is properly utilised, instead of being stored in a garage somewhere.
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[extract] Spy shots have been popping up all over the internet in the past few months of Honda
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They say you can never put a good idea down, and the Tesla Roadster is a most definitely a good idea indeed. And so, depsite a setback earlier this year, Tesla has decided to try again in the Singapore market. This time, it has the support and backing of a local electric vehicle specialist, EV Hub, and the company held a media event to announce the launch of FSG Mobility Concepts, which will be the official retailer for Tesla in Singapore. Besides the Tesla, FSG are also retailing the YikeBike, which is a nifty gadget that has been dubbed as the world
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[extract] It was a hot Sunday afternoon but that did not dampen my enthusiasm in paying a visit to the annual CATS Classified Car-nival event. I was there for 3 main reasons
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The good die young: BMW 1 Series M Coupe set for an early demise
Rigval posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
So what does the 'M' in a BMW stand for? Marketing. Yes, marketing and not motorsport. The reason is that BMW has stated in a recent report by TheDetroitBureau.com that the BMW 1 series M coupe will only have a one year run. One measly year? One year for a car that enthusiasts deem to be the spiritual replacement to the BMW E30 M3. And it was only launched and previewed in Singapore at the end of January. Of course BMW said that they will only make 2,500units of the car and we all know a manufacturer like BMW would find it easy to produce that many limited run units in a year. But the question is, is the M Division into selling cars that are actually the 'Ultimate Driving Machines' or up to market forces? The reason I stated market forces because the report also stated that BMW admitted that less than a thousand units of the 1 series M Coupe will be produced instead of the 2,500 units that was slated for production. It also looks like M series 'enthusiasts' aren't really interested in being nostalgic with a car that is as small as the E30 M3 and lighter as well as nimbler than the current V8 powered E92 M3. I suppose those that can afford an M series BMW wants more than that and this is the reason the 1 series M Coupe seems to be selling badly. This is usually the case with cars like these. Enthusiasts harp on and on about it but no one actually wants it. Or maybe enthusiasts are those that are already old, dying, with a bad left foot and can only use an automatic or are young and poor? It looks like Sales and Marketing or sales numbers has won instead of actually wanting to carry on building a proper motorsport type of car like this one. One year is too short a time to be just chopping a car from the sales catalog. Whatever the case, expect the 1 series M Coupe to be highly collectible (and ultra rare) after this. news source:autoblog.com -
[extract] Citroen recently held an event at their showroom, in conjuction with Lush99.5FM, to celebrate creativity, innovation and style. Dubbed "Innovate!", the event was attended by Citro