Indice dei contenuti per August 2015 in Torque

When BMW introduced the i3, it marked a revolutionary change in the automotive world. Its bold new approach to modern mobility previewed solutions that would, in time to come, redefine our view of the world of motoring as we know it. But human nature is such that any major change is often treated with caution, and a proposed solution has to be demonstrated as clearly better than existing options in order to be viewed as viable. In the case of the i3, it has already bested some of the traditional class leaders in the automotive world in several areas. AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION CARBON FIBRE CLUB The i3 is a member of a highly exclusive club that consists mostly of high-end supercars, thanks to its extensive use of advanced Carbon…

Fashionable station wagon buyers searching for an equally stylish estate could consider the all-new MINI Clubman, which will arrive here in January 2016. Like its predecessor, the latest Clubman also features a vertically split tailgate, but instead of having three doors for passengers, this automobile utilises a more conventional four-door layout. The new version is larger than the older model – its overall length has increased by 292mm and its 2670mm wheelbase is 123mm longer than before. Naturally, the Clubman swallows more luggage, thanks to its 360-litre boot, which expands to 1250 litres with the rear seats folded. These figures are a substantial 100 litres and 320 litres more than what the preceding model offered. The vehicle is also more upmarket than its predecessor. It’s the first MINI to offer…

Volvo’s Excellence Child Safety Seat concept might make the job of securing infants in cars a lot easier if it goes into production. The concept does away with the front passenger seat and replaces it with a swivelling child seat instead. For practicality’s sake, the concept also provides storage space underneath for parents to stow baby accoutrements. The child seat can be turned to face the rear and locked in position. Research has shown that it is safer for children to travel in a rearward facing position until they are three or four years old, as this helps prevent whiplash injuries in a collision.…

DURING medieval times, knights participated in jousting contests to hone and demonstrate their skills. This consisted of two knights on horseback armed with jousting sticks who would charge at each other, with the aim of unseating their opponent. The two coupes we’ve gathered here are a modern – and automotive – equivalent of two knights. Like their human counterparts from days of yore, each wears a distinctive suit of armour and carries its own unique array of weaponry. Attempting to intimidate its rival using its looks alone is the RC F. The first proper coupe from Lexus is built on a chassis that is a hybrid of the GS and IS saloons. It looks more than aggressive – with that enormous front grille and sharply angled headlights, the car is…

DRIVER’S LICENCE 4 NUMBER OF PORSCHES OWNED DR ANDRE LAM Torque’s Porschephile has a love-hate relationship with the new 911 GT3 RS, and he wants to re-mortgage his house for it. THERE are few cars in the world as covetable as the 911 GT3 RS. The road-legal racecar is a very desirable collectible – one that appreciates in value the moment it is purchased, with the exception of high-tax countries such as Singapore, where car prices are artificially inflated. I’m at the Blister Berg Circuit in Germany, the same place where Porsche launched the 911 Turbo and Turbo S two years ago. I can’t wait to put the new GT3 RS through its scorching paces. Without a doubt, this is the 991 model that causes the deepest visceral stirrings. Demure…

THE previous generation of the Audi TT didn’t invent the sub-2000cc two-door coupe segment in Singapore. But it did become the segment’s “911”, thanks to its distinctive design, high quality and stirring Teutonic performance. Now there’s a new TT in town, with an edgier design, even higher quality (plus high-tech features) and stronger yet more economical performance. It’s the hot new “poster toy” for the German compact coupe category. After playing with the big “TToy”, Torque’s two big boys are not on the same page. Fortysomething David thinks it adds 10 years to his age, whereas 30something Jeremy reckons it subtracts 10 years from his… “ITS SHEER MODERNITY GIVES ME A FEELING OF ANTIQUITY.” “KEEPING UP WITH IT MAKES ME FEEL YOUNGER AND MORE BOYRACER.” JEREMY CHUA (JC): This coupe…

THE internal combustion engine is inherently inefficient, which is why automotive manufacturers and engineers have always had fuel efficiency as one of their priorities. Electronic fuel injection, forced induction, lean-burn combustion, low-friction bearings and variable valve control are some of the essential technical ingredients that can improve fuel consumption. It is also affected by drivetrain designs and aerodynamic considerations. Auto stop-start switches off the engine when the car comes to a standstill, say, at a traffic light junction. Some drivers find this feature annoying, but its fuel-saving effect is indisputable. Think about it for a moment: When stationary, any motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine that’s running does exactly zero kilometre (or metre, for that matter) per litre of precious fuel. On the instantaneous readout in certain on-board computers,…

Audi has unveiled the new A4, its latest contender in the junior executive segment. The new model is larger than its predecessor, but is up to 120kg lighter and claimed to have the lowest drag coefficient in its class. The A4’s bigger size means the cabin is roomier than ever, with enhanced headroom for front passengers and greater legroom for rear occupants. For added comfort and flexibility, the redesigned front seats now have headrests that are adjustable for distance to the head. Nifty options include in-car Wi-Fi and wireless charging for smartphones. The infotainment system offers better smartphone connectivity, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard functions. Audiophiles can also specify a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi system, which supposedly delivers “3-D sound”. Sure to attract yuppies is the entry-level…

Multi-purpose vehicles are usually seen as boring. But not this one. The second-generation Toyota Sienta not only has a more funky design (supposedly inspired by trekking shoes) than its boxy predecessor, it offers equally stylish paint options, too, such as the Air Yellow hue seen here. This compact seven-seater MPV also offers plenty of practicality with its numerous storage points, plus the convenience of second-row seats that have one-touch, tumble-forward mechanisms. Compared to the old Sienta, the new one is also more spacious and accessible – there’s more legroom now, and the opening width of the powered sliding doors is 50mm wider. The first-gen Sienta was only available in Singapore through parallel importers, but it was overshadowed by the hugely popular Wish. At press time, official Toyota agent Borneo Motors…

It’s a Friday night and the feeling’s right… to head to town and cap off a long week of work with some well-deserved relaxation. Just as you’ve worked hard, it’s time to play hard. First up on that agenda? Checking out that most talked-about dining spot with your date. And the best way to get there is in an Audi A1 Sportback – a car that’s as trendy as you are, and perfectly matches your lifestyle. More than just a means of getting you from point to point, your choice of car is representative of your personality and lifestyle. We present you five ways the exciting new A1 Sportback complements the bold trendsetter. THE POWER OF FIVE: HERE’S HOW THE AUDI A1 SPORTBACK MIRRORS THE LIFESTYLE OF TRENDSETTERS. ALWAYS IN…

ACQUIRING a brand new saloon in light of current market conditions is difficult, but not impossible. The three subcompact saloons we’ve gathered here are proof of this – each one is within reach of buyers who are shopping with a $100,000 budget. Keen to appeal to these buyers is the Hyundai Accent, successor to the Verna. Instead of looking like a basic Korean saloon, the Accent has a Euro-centric design that resembles its larger Elantra sibling. The Accent also has a healthy engine output and pretty lively performance. The newest player in this “cheap and cheerful” segment is the Mitsubishi Attrage. It offers a reasonably well-equipped cabin and an efficient 1.2-litre drivetrain, which aims to lower running costs. The most established contender of the trio is the Nissan Almera. As…

THIS pair of compact convertibles from Audi and BMW are well-equipped to tempt prospective buyers. Handsome exterior design? Check. Slick, electrically operated roof mechanism? Check. Generous equipment list? Check. Badge snob appeal? Check. However, what is less apparent (on casual inspection) about the topless Teutons on test here is how the two are vastly improved over their predecessors. Let’s start with the BMW 220i Convertible. Its immediate forebear, the 120i Convertible, doesn’t have a lot going for it – the car has gawky lines and compromised rear legroom, and feels like it’s built to a budget. To be fair, it’s far from abysmal, but the interior quality could be much improved. And I’m happy to report that BMW has turned things around in dramatic fashion with the 220i Convertible. Longer,…

SUPERVELOCE simply means high speed, although Lamborghini insists it means extreme speed. Either way, it sounds better in Italian. Lamborghini first used the term for its 1971 Miura, skipped it for the Countach, and used it again in 1995 for the Diablo. The Murcielago also featured an SV in 2009 as the run-out model. Superveloce is Lamborghini’s time-tested formula that comprises body lightening, chassis/suspension uprating and engine tuning. The price, too, is “tuned” upwards. If you think the regular Aventador already looks hot, then the SV variant will sear your retinas from a hundred paces. The huge rear wing, redesigned front nose, plus longer and deeper spoilers and splitters are guaranteed to rock your world. That rear wing can be manually adjusted to one of three different positions to suit…

WE’RE used to seeing bike manufacturers strip the fairing off their flagship superbike, detune it for less power, strap on higher handlebars, and then call their creation a supernaked. But what happens when you take a supernaked, throw in even higher bars, raise its suspension and give it touring capabilities? The result is the brilliant BMW S1000XR. Like the offspring between BMW’s near 200bhp superbike, the S1000RR, and the bestselling adventure bike in the world, the R1250GS, the S1000XR fuses the creature comforts of the GS with the potency of the S1000RR’s chassis and ferocious engine. Based on the detuned 999cc, 160bhp 4-cylinder as seen in the S1000R (the naked version of the S1000RR), the S1000XR spots a new frame, a tall windscreen for touring, longer-travel suspension, a longer swingarm…

NO matter where your supercar loyalties lie, driving a Ferrari is always a special experience. So when someone asked if I would like to tag along on the inaugural Ferrari South East Asia Grand Tour, in my very own Ferrari (on loan) for four whole days, all I could do was pinch myself, thank the motoring gods (or in this case, my editor) and quickly reschedule all other appointments. The tour saw Ferraris from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia taking part in driving-related activities up north, which included a track day at the Sepang International Circuit and a drive up the winding Bukit Tinggi Hill near Kuala Lumpur. It was a trip that totalled about 800km, excluding the track time at Sepang. Boyhood dream aside, it was also a reunion of…

ENTHUSIASTS were given the chance to put Audi models through their paces at the Audi Driving Experience 2015. The event, which took place on June 12-21, got off to a roaring start by setting the record for Singapore’s “Largest Test-Drive Convoy” that consisted of 24 Audi cars, including the brand’s A6 and A7 models. During the 10-day event, over 1000 participants worked their way through various driving exercises at Changi Exhibition Centre. They were guided by instructors from the Audi Driving Experience team. Said exercises included an “Urban Driving” component, which allowed guests to get acquainted with the latest navigation and handling technology. Keen drivers were not disappointed either – they got their adrenalin fix in the “Acceleration” exercise, which allowed them to get behind the wheel of the RS6…

SUZUKI VITARA PRICE ON APPLICATION Targeting trendy buyers, Suzuki’s new crossover offers chunky styling and funky paintwork options, such as Atlantis Turquoise and Horizon Orange. Although unlikely to be driven off-road, the Vitara should give its suburbanite owner plenty of confidence, thanks to its standard all-wheel-drive system. RIVAL SUBARU XV PORSCHE 911 TURBO S SG50 $930,897 ON THE ROAD If you’re a patriotic (and well-heeled) enthusiast looking for a one-of-a-kind sports car, you should consider this one-off special edition model, which commemorates Singapore’s 50th birthday. Apart from the unique paint job (which is specific to this unit), the 911 SG50 also has distinctive logos that cannot be specified for other Porsche models. RIVAL JAGUAR F-TYPE R COUPE VOLVO XC90 PRICE ON APPLICATION This seven-seater sports utility vehicle is both roomier…

Aimed at younger drivers, the all-new second-generation Chevrolet Cruze has a sleeker design than its predecessor and promises better driving dynamics, too. Key to this car’s enhanced driveability is its stiffer body, which utilises more high-strength steel. This also makes it up to 113kg lighter than the older model. Complementing the body is a new 1.4-litre turbo engine that’s capable of 150bhp and 240Nm – an increase of 10bhp and 40Nm over the previous 1.4-litre turbo. Inside, the car is claimed to have a higher-quality cabin that’s roomier compared to rivals such as the Hyundai Elantra. More soft-touch materials are used this time around, and there’s a snazzy new infotainment system with enhanced smartphone connectivity. Safety has also been enhanced, with 10 airbags as standard. The new Cruze will come…

Lego fans and budding engineers alike will enjoy assembling this scale model of the Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245. The kit, which consists of 2793 pieces, includes power functions and pneumatic actuators that let users play with the truck’s lifting functions. Mirroring its real-life counterpart, the scale model comes with four-axle suspension, too. When assembled, this model measures 54cm x 14cm x 31cm. Like other large Lego Technic kits, this one offers buyers a second build option – the Mercedes-Benz Articulated Construction Truck.…

SINGAPORE has come a long way since 1965. So has the nation’s motor trade, which has been supplying the cars to keep motorists on the move in the Lion City for the past 50 years. Back in the 1960s, there were car showrooms in Orchard Road, selling brands such as Volkswagen, Rover, Land Rover, Toyota and Fiat. Two of the showrooms were located where today’s Lucky Plaza and Wisma Atria stand, while the anchor tenant at Liat Towers was a spacious Mercedes-Benz dealership. There was even a company called Orchard Motors (under Inchcape), which represented Vauxhall cars. In the present day, Orchard Road is the pure shopping belt it’s meant to be, while Singapore’s motor trade zones are parked in Leng Kee and Ubi. In the spirit of SG50, we…

ONLY a few decades ago, my parents were driving cars that had no power steering, no power windows and no central locking. Today, cars come fully equipped with a gazillion features, which have become the norm. Keyless entry, pushbutton start/ stop, automatic headlights, head-up display, ventilated seats, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning… the list goes on. Built-in satellite navigation systems have replaced dogeared copies of Singapore street directories, providing visual and audio directions that guide us to our destinations effortlessly. Bluetooth connectivity provides a seamless interface between our cars and smartphones. However, the thing with technology is that it doesn’t matter how advanced it is. The extent to which technology benefits us hinges on how well we’re able to integrate those gadgets into our lives. Take the keyless entry system,…

With its decent equipment and intuitive controls, the Attrage appeals to the driver motoring on a shoestring. The car’s only drawback is its relaxed performance, but it earns points for being frugal (which makes it cheap to run) and green (which qualifies for a $10k CEVS rebate that makes it cheaper to buy). For added peace of mind, the engine is also covered by a 10-year/200,000km warranty (the car has to be serviced at Cycle & Carriage), which is unique in this segment. The Nissan Almera isn’t as fuel-efficient as its two rivals in this article, but its spaciousness and refinement are very convincing. Less compelling, however, is its comparatively higher cost. At press time, it commands a premium of $7.8k and $4.8k over the Accent and Attrage respectively. This…

WE once had a colleague who was fond of saying: “Go big or go home.” It refers to not using half-measures when doing anything. And if you don’t go all-out, you shouldn’t even bother trying. It’s probably also the mantra of the engineering and design teams behind the Toyota Alphard. In the world of multipurpose vehicles, few models are as accomplished as the Alphard and its Vellfire sibling (see box story). Both models have elevated the business of moving people to another level. An MPV’s purpose is to ferry people. But while most, if not all, MPVs cater to family men, the Alphard is preferred by businessmen. It’s easy to see why an Alphard would be attractive to a big-business man who wishes to make an equally huge statement. Apart…

IF you love working a clutch pedal and changing gears yourself, the manual version of MINI’s most powerful model can be your automotive soulmate on both road and racetrack. Some of you reading this may not have driven a car with a manual transmission. Even fewer people drive one daily. This is because the default gearbox you get with most of the cars in Singapore is an automatic, with two pedals in the driver’s footwell. It’s no secret that three-pedal cars are fast disappearing from our roads. Well, I drive a “manual transmission” every day. For this petrolhead at least, it’s enjoyable exercising my left leg/foot for the clutch pedal and using my left arm/ hand to row through the gears. So it is with some satisfaction that I get…

CLAMSHELL handphone. I was one of the very last journos in Singapore Press Holdings (and probably the whole of Singapore) to use one of those. It serves its two key functions well – make/take GSM telephone calls and send/receive SMS. It’s light yet solid, black and sleek, cheap and good. But it’s stupid compared to today’s smartphones. After all, it could only handle calls and messages. My first smartphone can do a lot more than that, thanks to its Internet connectivity, camera capabilities and all the apps I need to be a better worker/ writer. My second smartphone is even smarter than my first, with even more applications and functions – helping me to “apply” myself to my work, and to “function” more effectively as a motoring writer. Considering how…

1. “FREE” AS A BIRD Raymond Weil has partnered with Piper Aircraft to achieve takeoff for its first pilot watch. The Freelancer Piper doesn’t reach for the sky with its mechanical self-winding chronograph movement and 46-hour power reserve, but it looks ready to fly with blue minute and hour hands inspired by propeller blades, a compass-style GMT pointer and an “attitude indicator” sub-dial that actually indicates the seconds. The aviator aesthetic is completed by the openwork leather strap. Every Freelancer Piper comes with a scale model of a Raymond Weilbranded Piper aircraft, which the owner can park on the private airport apron atop his desk. 2. (NORTH) POLE POSITION Swiss deluxe watch brand Edox stays ahead of the (ice) pack with its Hydro-Sub North Pole Limited Edition. The original Hydro-Sub,…