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sgCarMart's video reviews are back! Finally after more than a month of quiet we are back with another review! And first up after our long break is the Audi A1 Sportback. Oh right, and its only Julian reviewing the car this time round, you know, cause sgCarMart is being socially responsible and all. The Audi A1 Sportback may have a decent boot by supermini standards, but looks like that boot is still just enough to make Julian work up a good sweat when loading in the child seat haha! And it looks like it has a pretty glam cockpit as well! And what about the drive? Well, I think this shot pretty much sums up the experience behind the wheel of the A1. So, if perhaps you're looking for something with a premium badge but is still compact enough to squeeze into any parallel lot at Little India, could this be what you have always been looking for? Watch the full video to find out more!

Seat has named their supermini offering after the renowned holiday destination hoping to capture some of that youthful and carefree spirit, and for the most part, I dare say they have been largely successful. For those thinking that the new Honda Jazz looks a little too cutsey for their taste, the Seat Ibiza rightly should be more than the next alternative in the practical small hatchback segment. It packs a 355 litre boot, and the rear seats provide plenty of knee room even for someone of my height. Sharp lines and an appealing angular design, coupled with a beautiful font for both the central infotainment and the driver's instrument cluster round off the supermini package. And speaking of packages, this Ibiza I tested was a top-spec (locally at least) Style Plus model, meaning it now gets additional tech features including adaptive cruise control, tiredness recognition, and keyless access. Yare yare. All you really need to know is that this is a $92,999 (as of 31 October 2019) car that packs a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder delivering 114bhp and 200Nm. For context, that's practically as much torque as you get in the larger 1.4-litre Volkswagen Golf. And boy does that seven-speed DSG make use of that torque. Day-to-day driving will see the dual-clutch shifting gears at the earliest opportunity, meaning that you get a fuel consumption of 14.7km/L, which is nice, but flog the pedal and the car switches instantly out of siesta mode, sending you away. The three-cylinder's thrummy noises switch into something addictively snarly, and being in something so small makes that zero to 100km/h figure of 9.5 seconds feel conservative. Readers of my stuff elsewhere will know I was an absolute fan of the old Audi A1, but this car just feels so much more nimble. The light but communicative steering makes it feel like you can chuck it into corners with near reckless abandon, and the car swallows directional changes with much aplomb, but the new MQB A0 platform also adds to the Ibiza's suite far greater highway sovereignty. Sound insulation feels like a class above and the car suffers none of that nervousness other cars in the segment can be prone to at high speeds. Just how exactly has Seat managed to make the Ibiza feel so chuck-able in the twisites yet so mature at the straights is genuinely astounding, especially when you consider that this car makes do with only a semi-rigid rear suspension. So there has to be some catch right? Well, unfortunately, yes. The Volkswagen Group's brand positioning becomes apparent when you knock on the door cards, which sound definitively hollow, and that DSG I mentioned earlier can be over eager to switch into the taller gears when doing gentle cruises, leading to some uncouth vibrations transmitting into the cabin. Shoppers looking for a mature, grown-up supermini ought rightly to look at the Volkswagen Polo or the Skoda Scala. But who really gives a toss about little niggles like that. The Ibiza is bleedingly fun to drive and (I suspect) own. Adaptive cruise control and tiredness recognition in a car this fun? Obviously someone out there hasn't been taking their pills. Just like Mike Posner on his holiday trips, why not choose to do something fun once a while? Make this car your trip. Live life on the fun side. Opt for horsepower just once. Buy this. Now, where's my Valium? ----------------------------------------------- Click here for the full review on sgCarMart! -----------------------------------------------

Peugeot has taken the wraps off the new 308 hatchback. The new model sports chiselled lines as compared to the outgoing model which looked bubblier and somewhat feminine. The new French model adapts Peugeot's new family face and is built upon the new EMP2 modular platform which contributes to weight savings of 140kg. Peugeot claimed that the interior quality has improved and highlighted its 'i-cockpit' which does not have any buttons. The main focal point of the cabin is the centrally-mounted 9.7-inch touchscreen multi-functional display. Peugeot has not released any engine details at the moment but it has confirmed that CO2 emissions will be as low as 85g/km. The new 308 will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show come September. In the meantime, enjoy the gallery of France's latest VW Golf competitor. The outgoing 308

MG has revealed the 2013 Euro-spec MG3 at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. The new MG3 is the production version of the MG Zero concept car which was displayed at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show. The U.K. designed and engineered supermini will be assembled at Longbridge, U.K. MG U.K. Sales and Marketing Chief, Guy Jones, commented that the new MG3 is designed to compete with the MINI, Citroen DS3 and Vauxhall Adam and hence will be available with a wide variety of customisation options for both the interior and exterior. The black A-pillars of the concept had made it production, which gives the impression of a wrap-around windscreen. No interior photo of the new car is available but do expect the futuristic dashboard of the concept (below) to be heavily toned down. The 2013 MG3 measures 4,015mm x 1,728mm x 1,520mm (L x W x H) with a wheelbase of 2,520mm. This makes the car larger than its British rival, the MINI Cooper, in all dimensions. The new MG3 will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder VTi-TECH petrol engine producing 104bhp. The engine will be connected to a five-speed manual transmission.

[extract] Four years after the Fiesta was launched, Ford has given the supermini a facelift for the 2013 model year. It gains a new face that incorporates a prominent grille which is similar to the new Fusion

Renault has released the initial details on the all-new 2013 Clio, ahead of its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The MK 4 Clio is the first production model to be penned under the watch of Renault's new chief designer, Laurens van den Acker. Described as the first full expression of the Renault's 'design renaissance', the model has a DeZir concept-inspired grille, sweptback headlights and muscular fenders. The gloss black trim that stretches across the lower door panels, LED daytime running lights and integrated rear door handles make the French supermini stands out from its competitors such as the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta. When the Clio 4 goes on sale in Europe this fall, it will be launched with two engines. These include a new 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbocharged Energy TCe petrol delivering 89bhp and 135Nm of peak torque with an average fuel consumption of 4.3L/100km. Next is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with also 89bhp. The oil burner returns a combined fuel consumption of just 3.2L/100km. In early 2013, Renault will enhance the range with a new 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 118bhp and 190Nm of torque. It will be coupled to a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission as standard. Renault has not released the details on the Clio 4's exterior dimensions but the company said that the car will have a lower ride height and wider tracks than its predecessor. The new Clio is a whopping 100kg lighter than its predecessor. That's about the weight of an American wrestler. Renault is allowing the customers to personalise the interior and exterior of the car in many ways, such as the steering wheel, gear lever, upholstery materials, dashboard, front grille and rear and side door inserts. "[The] New Renault Clio was conceived as a piece of sensuous sculpture which stimulates desire," explains van den Acker. "Like muscles, its curves express the dynamism radiated by the DeZir concept car. No acute or aggressive angles, just voluptuous curves that make you want to go up to it and caress it." I fell in love with the car when I first lay my eyes on the photos. Looks like Renault has got a winner here.

It will only be a matter of days to the launch of Peugeot's all new 208 in October 2011. Directly aimed at the likes of the Ford Fiesta and the Renault Clio, it is considered to be the most important model of the year for the automaker due to the supermini's popularity, especially in its native country. It will be smaller and lighter than the car it replaces, but the newcomer is aiming to make an even bigger splash than the top selling 207, thanks to distinctive looks and efficient engines. It will be one of the first cars in the supermini class to feature a removable touchscreen cabin-control system that owes at least some of its design to that of the iPad. With functions to upload and store maps, music and more, the device looks likely to be offered as standard on all but entry-level models. Leading the charge will be this sporty three-door version, which debuts alongside the five-door model. Both three and five-door cars will offer a wide range of petrol and diesel engines - including an innovative three-cylinder turocharged petrol unit offering almost 70mpg. However the star of the show is set to be a new 211bhp evolution of the 1.6-litre THP turbocharged engine available in the RCZ. The car, which some describes it as a spiritual successor to the famed 205 GTi, will be one of the fastest, most powerful small Peugeots ever built. Drivers can expect race-style bucket seats, and a thick rimmed steering wheel. The car will also get a large rear wing, and special trim on the sills and wheelarches to make it look that little bit meaner than the standard model. But despite this focus on performance, the car will also sport the latest fuel saving technologies, with stop and start and direct injection. With variable valve timing and a potent turbocharger the power on offer will only be one part of the effort to make this car a hot hatch to watch out for.

The Audi A1 has been named What Car? Car of the Year, beating strong competition from the Ford Mondeo and Seat Alhambra. Last year, it won What Car? Reader Award for the most exciting car to be launched in 2010. Audi's smallest car to date went on sale at the end of 2010 and has already proved incredibly popular with buyers. The hugely popular Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec picked up two awards for Best Family Car and Best Estate Car. The Jaguar XF was crowned Best Executive Car for the fourth time for its looks, drivability and pricing. The Volkswagen Golf won Small Family Car for the fifth year running, a feat matched by the Mercedes S-Class which was named Best Luxury Car. The judges praised the Mercedes limousine for its lavish equipment levels and its class-leading blend of ride quality and handling. This year's Reader Award went to the new Range Rover Evoque, ahead of its sales date. The British-built, all-electric Nissan Leaf was awarded the new Ultra-Low-Carbon-Car Award. The list of winners can be found below - The winners: Car of the Year: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport Supermini: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport Small family car: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr Family car: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec Estate car: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec MPV: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S Hot hatch: Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup Coupe: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport Open-top: BMW Z4 sDrive23i Performance car: Ferrari 458 Italia Crossover: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport 4

The Kia Venga Not sure if its coming to sg though.

Another new offering from Kia.. The old Picanto which looked like one of the worst superminis ever to have driven on the face of the Earth looks THIS good! Better still, theres going to be a 3 door option which will stick well with all its sporting pretensions. No matter what people say about the brand, this is a great looking supermini. It will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March alongside the Rio which will also have a new look. This is no concept as it is shown here in its full production glory. Kia says that this new Picanto is "bolder, more mature and self confident" and I totally agree with that statement. It all started with the Cerato Forte and that grille which has sown its seed into the other range of models from Kia like the Sorento. And its just not the grille, it looks like the designers at Kia have finally got their act together and destroyed the pantry in the office and got down to work on making good looking cars. In the past, they looked flimsy, plain and 'unappetizing' but this has the recipe for a winning supermini. Under the hood lies a perky 1.0 litre or a 1.2 litre engine and Kia claims that they boast class leading CO2 emission standards. With the COE prices soaring at its current state, I'm pretty sure that this car will be rather popular over here due to its affordability and increasing quality standard.

At long last, Nissan has finally uncovered the all new Nissan Micra (March) at the 80th Geneva Motor Show. I believe the existing generation has been around for at least the past 6 years - quite a long production lifespan. Developed and built on Nissan's all-new V-platform, the Japanese supermini goes global with production set to take place at several overseas manufacturing sites including Thailand, India, Mexico and China. Expect Singapore's March to be sourced from the land of thousand smiles. This fourth incarnation of the Micra is slightly longer and lower than its predecessor. Nissan claims that the extended wheelbase has further improved interior space. Nissan's new city car will be offered with just two engines options, a naturally aspirated 1.2-liter three-cylinder petrol producing 80HP and 108Nm, and a turbocharged version of the same engine with direct injection that pumps out 98HP and 142Nm of torque. Both versions of the 1.2-liter three-pot are available with either a 5-speed manual gearbox or Nissan's all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Sales of the new Micra are scheduled to start initially in Thailand in March 2010. Local fans of the Micra can expect to see the new model around mid 2010.

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S national auto maker Proton said on Monday it was recalling 34,000 Savvy supermini cars because of malfunction risks. In a statement, Proton said there was a possibility of water entry into the rear wheel bearing that could lead to a malfunction of affected components. 'As a precautionary measure, we are recalling all Savvys for inspection and repair,' Proton Managing Director Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said in the statement issued through the national news agency Bernama. The statement did not give details of any complaints reported so far. The company urged Savvy owners to bring their vehicles for free inspections at its centers. -- AP