Torqueの March 2016 の目次

EFFICIENT DYNAMICS Long before the terms “eco-friendly” and “sustainability” became popular, BMW began equipping its models with innovations such as ECO PRO, Brake Energy Regeneration and Auto Start-Stop functions to reduce fuel consumption. BMW i3 The world’s first electric vehicle from a luxury carmaker, the i3 has a carbon fibre chassis, a swanky interior, and features coach-style rear doors. 1602 The first BMW electric vehicles were a pair of 1602 models fitted with lead batteries. Showcased at the 1972 Munich Olympics, these were utilised as support and camera cars, and had a maximum range of 60km. iDRIVE BMW started the “integrated infotainment” revolution with the iDrive operating system. Introduced in the fourth-gen 7 Series, iDrive still sets the benchmark for infotainment systems today. GESTURE CONTROL The latest 7 Series offers…

Ferrari has renewed the five-year-old FF and renamed it as GTC4Lusso. The new name is less snappy, but everything else about the four-seater “sporting grand tourer” is even sharper, from the styling to the engine. The 6262cc 12-cylinder develops 690bhp and 697Nm, compared to the FF’s 660bhp and 683Nm. The V12 engine can accelerate the supercar from a standstill to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and take it to 335km/h. Another mechanical upgrade is the integration of rear-wheel-steering with the patented four-wheel-drive system. Inside the cabin, there’s a new steering wheel with a smaller airbag, all the controls are more ergonomic and the infotainment has been improved. The GTC4Lusso will be launched in Singapore at the end of this year.…

How do you stay connected while on the go? Gadgets like smartphones make connectivity easy in this day and age, but how do you do so safely while driving? With Opel, the answer is IntelliLink. GET FOCUSED IntelliLink offers smart connectivity options while helping you stay safe and focused on the road. It incorporates a built-in voice-activated GPS navigation system that ensures you’ll never get lost, while also offering you the option to sync your smartphone via USB or Bluetooth to it, allowing for handsfree operation while on the move. Access to the navigation or your smartphone functions is via the intuitive touchscreen, or through smartphone voice control, with IntelliLink compatible with Apple’s Siri voice recognition system. Furthermore, IntelliLink offers additional infotainment options through the Apple CarPlay app (above), which…

“THE NEW PASSAT IS A BIG STEP FORWARD FROM THE OLD ONE, OFFERING GREATER COMFORT, PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICALITY.” THE previous Volkswagen Passat has a keen powertrain and decent handling, but it’s not big on passenger space. And with European competitors such as the updated Peugeot 508 and well-equipped Ford Mondeo (which won Best Category B Saloon in the 2015 ST-Torque Awards) in the same segment, the latest Passat couldn’t have come sooner for the German carmaker. But given how the new version bears a strong resemblance to the old one, buyers might find it tricky to tell both models apart. Placed beside each other, however, the styling differences become clearer. For instance, although both models have a four-bar grille, the one on the latest Passat is wider and nicer. The…

Our 30-page, 13-car mega feature on sports utility vehicles has something for everyone and covers plenty of ground (from sock-soft to rock-hard). We compare two well-equipped 2-litre seven-seater SUVs, the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 T5 (flip this page). We also referee an atas 2-litre turbo SUV fight between the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Lexus RX200t (pg 66). And we see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA180 stacks up against the BMW X1 sDrive20i (pg 70). We also review the Subaru XV (pg 80), Mercedes-Benz GLE450 AMG Coupe (pg 82) and Jeep Renegade (pg 86). In addition, we convene a tribal council in Singapore’s suburban jungle with Jeep’s Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Cherokee (pg 74), and check out Honda’s HR-V and CR-V (pg 78).…

“SHOULD YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR LIFESTYLE MACHINES FROM BMW AND MERCEDES-BENZ, THE X1 AND GLA CONSTITUTE YOUR ENTRY POINTS.” THE second-generation BMW X1 has moved to MINI’s front-drive UKL platform. While giving “hind-legs-only” BMW purists brain aneurysms, the move has yielded immediate packaging dividends. With the engine mounted transversely, the X1 is now a credible “utility” vehicle, despite a 36mm decrease in overall length. Mercedes’ contender is an extension of the A-Class family, alongside the original hatchback and the CLA saloon. Almost exclusively photographed from low angles, Mercedes would like you to consider the GLA a proper mini-SUV, despite it being lower than the Honda Jazz. For Singapore, BMW has brought in the 4-cylinder 192bhp sDrive20i as the base and only X1 model, eschewing the sDrive18i. Mercedes-Benz has taken…

THE Subaru XV was launched in 2011, though it only came to Singapore in 2012. Touted as a smaller and cheaper alternative to the Forester, it played the role well and looked the part, too. The car’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive was available with a 1.6- or 2-litre boxer engine. The mildly updated XV comes only with the 1.6-litre horizontally opposed 4-cylinder. The 114bhp motor and its Lineartronic CVT have been carried over into the refreshed model. A quick drive reveals adequate power, but nothing more. The 2-litre version driven in Thailand has more grunt. At the same media launch, I put the renewed XV and its predecessor through their paces in back-to-back slaloms, hard brakings and sharp lane changes. Most noticeable to me are the increased heft of the (closer-ratio) steering…

“BRAKE HERE,” said the instructor. I daintily tapped the left pedal like a good, civic-minded driver on Orchard Road. “Brake! Brake! Brake! BRAKE!” His voice rapidly became a rising crescendo as we shot onto the generous runoff area in a lime green 641bhp McLaren 650S. It is easy to forget to use the car’s full braking potential, which is often barely approached on public roads. It is my first time on a racetrack, and as an entry-level circuit driver in a far-from-entry-level car, there are a few things I wish I had known. What struck me initially is how unexpectedly unfamiliar it all looked and felt sitting in a bucket seat behind that low cowl. The view looks enticingly good from the on-board cameras on Formula One cars because they…

Porsche’s updated Boxster and Boxster S models are now called the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S. For the first time in the models’ history, both are powered by turbocharged flat-4 engines. The last mid-engine Porsche roadster with a flat-4 was the 914, which was developed together with Volkswagen. It was produced from 1969 to 1976. The 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S are propelled by turbocharged 2-litre and 2.5-litre flat-4 motors, which replace the naturally aspirated 2.7-litre and 3.4-litre flat-6 motors in the outgoing Boxster and Boxster S respectively. The 718 Boxster packs 300bhp and 380Nm, or 35bhp and 100Nm more than the old Boxster. The 718 Boxster S offers 350bhp and 420Nm, or 25bhp and 60Nm more than the old Boxster S. These figures enable the 718 Boxster…

Land Rover celebrated its 68th anniversary in January as the final Defender rolled off the Solihull production line in the UK. Said unit was a Defender 90 Heritage Soft Top. Over two million Series Land Rovers and Defenders have been produced at the facility since 1948. Ironically, the final Defender will not be conquering inhospitable terrain like its siblings and unstoppable predecessors. It will instead be housed in the Jaguar Land Rover Collection. The next-generation Defender is in the pipeline.…

THE British marque has updated its entire lineup of Continental GT coupes and GTC convertibles. Since the debut of the GT range in 2003 and the subsequent full model change in 2011, the two-door grand tourers have been the company’s saviour, selling over 50,000 units. It’s a little disappointing to me that Bentley only improved the GT’s standard 6-litre W12 motor. Cylinder deactivation, as applied in the newer V8s, has helped the twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder reduce fuel consumption by 5 percent, while a remap of the engine’s ECU has netted modest gains of 15bhp and 20Nm. The GT range starts with the 500bhp/660Nm V8 and graduates to the 521bhp/680Nm V8 S. The range-topping GT Speed offers 626bhp and 820Nm from its souped-up 6-litre W12 motor. With Bentley, styling updates are usually…

“THE Q7 CAN OUTSPRINT THE XC90, BUT THE LATTER HAS MORE LINEAR POWER DELIVERY.” TEN years ago, the term “base model” had very negative connotations. It referred to the least expensive car in a carmaker’s lineup – the one with the lowest performance and fewest standard features. These days, however, base models are relatively well-equipped, even when compared to their higher-end siblings. Getting an entry-level model from a premium brand no longer means ending up with a car that’s “all atas badge and no substance”. These two contenders we’ve gathered here are the newest and arguably most competent seven-seater SUVs in their segment. The trophies under their respective belts are proof of this – the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 were named the “Best 3-litre Sports Utility Vehicle” and “Best…

“ THESE “NATIVE AMERICANS” ARE AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE LOCAL JEEP “RESERVATION”. ” THESE two “Native Americans” are at opposite ends of the local Jeep “reservation”. The Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the most expensive and powerful model in the tribe, whereas the Cherokee has the fewest ponies and is the brand’s entry-level model here. Compared to other Jeeps today, the Cherokee looks unusually futuristic, with a robot-like face that has slim headlamps flanking the iconic seven-slot grille. The rest of the exterior design, however, isn’t as “robotic” or dramatic. In fact, the rear end looks bland. Shift your gaze to the Grand Cherokee SRT8 and you’ll know that this is no ordinary Jeep. Its bonnet has two sizeable vents, the ride height is lower than that of “regular” Grand…

1_Illuminate your campsite with the LuminAID PackLite Spectra. After seven hours of solar charging, it provides up to 12 hours of light. The lamp has eight selectable hues and is waterproof to a depth of 1m. $25 2_Chronicle your off-road expeditions with the Olympus Tough TG-870, which has a 21mm lens and a 5x zoom. Apart from its GPS and Wi-Fi functions, this camera is waterproof to 15m, operates in environments with temperature as low as minus 10 degree C, and can withstand a crushing force of up to 100kg. $POA 3_Keep your iPhone 6 running with the Mophie Juice Pack H2PRO, which contains a 2750mAh lithium-ion battery that lets users enjoy up to 14 hours of extra talk time. The shock-resistant construction helps protect your device, too. $189 4_The…

BMW has unveiled the M760Li xDrive, the most powerful 7 Series to date. This is also the first time that the automaker’s flagship saloon is available as an M Performance variant, enabling it to closely match rivals such as the 605bhp Audi S8 Plus. But unlike the S8 Plus, which has a turbocharged 4-litre V8, the M760Li packs a turbocharged 6.6-litre V12. The engine’s output is 600bhp and 800Nm (estimated figures), with an expected century sprint time of 3.9 seconds. The M760Li, however, is outperformed by the Alpina B7 (inset), a “boutique” luxo-barge based on the 7 Series. The B7 does 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds, despite it “only” having a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8.…

THESE three executive saloons are very close in terms of performance. Each one is front-wheel-drive, has a turbocharged engine and a 6-speed automatic gearbox. But performance aside, execs in a hurry also want a saloon that’s roomy and practical. Sure to grab the attention of keen drivers is the updated Opel Insignia and its muscular powertrain. But this car also aims to impress with its enhanced cabin, which is more upmarket than before. Also looking fresher is the facelifted Peugeot 508. The nip-and-tuck exercise keeps this French number looking sharp, while the slight bump in power should improve its driveability, too. Facing off against the 508 and Insignia is the Ford Mondeo, which we tested in fastback form. Although the Mondeo is underrated in Singapore, it remains a strong contender,…

“THE 911 TURBO S PRODUCES 580BHP AND 750NM – ENOUGH TO BREAK THE 3-SECOND BARRIER IN THE SPRINT TO 100KM/H.” THE “master” of turbocharged sports cars has just been given a mild but critical makeover. Porsche has consistently developed its top 911 model ever since it introduced turbocharging to sporty motoring. Back in 1973, the first-ever 911 Turbo was the only one of its kind in the world. Nothing from Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin, or any other manufacturer of fast cars you wish to name, had a turbocharged engine to boost its power and performance. Porsche’s early start in “force-fed” engines means the company possesses some of the best turbocharging technology that you’ll see anywhere. The 911 Turbo is now truly a supercar, and while it is not the…

“ THE RX200T MAJORS IN COMFORT, LUXURY AND REFINEMENT, WHILE THE DISCOVERY SPORT SCORES IN PRACTICALITY, PERFORMANCE AND OFF-ROAD CAPABILITY. ” THE sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment is a crowded one, with plenty of contenders, big and small, jostling with one another for consumers’ attention. The “compact premium” SUV subsegment is particularly heated, with virtually every carmaker of note offering something to compete against the rest in the same keenly contested sector. Two of them are Japan’s Lexus and Britain’s Land Rover. The latter is known for its SUVs, with the latest Discovery Sport aimed at modern nuclear families who desire a ruggedly stylish/ squarish Landie packed with practicality. Lexus has nearly two decades of experience building urbane SUVs, starting with the RX. Featured here is the latest fourth-generation version,…

MY idea of an RV (recreational vehicle) is different from Honda’s “R-V” concept. To me, an RV is a caravan of love, a motorhome away from home, a happy camper van for even happier campers. I could live in one, and my lifestyle would be a long-running, relaxing road trip – islandwide, Sentosa, across the Causeway, up into Malaysia, and repeat. But Honda’s “R-V” range, the HR-V (Premium version) and CR-V, are not about caravanning or camping. Their preferred form of recreation is in the city area, around East/West Coast Park and on the daily commute. They are outdoorsy crossovers for folks who prefer indoor sleepovers, complete with air-con, cable TV and Wi-Fi. Both chalets-on-wheels don’t have television and a router, but their air-conditioning is automatic and fantastic, with the…

The “coupe-sports utility vehicle” segment began in 2008 with the X6, which BMW refers to as a Sports Activity Coupe. The direct competitor to the GLE450 AMG Coupe is the X6 M50d. Armed with a tri-turbo 3-litre inline-6 diesel that kicks out 381bhp and 740Nm, this Bimmer demolishes the century dash in 5.2 seconds – an impressive half a second quicker than the Merc. More significantly, the X6 M50d is also nimbler, behaving more like an oversized hatchback than a ginormous SUV.…

“ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN OR STEERING RACK.” MOTORCAR manufacturers have been moving away from hydraulically assisted steering. Initially, the belt-driven pump was replaced by an electric motor-driven one. This reduced weight and engine power consumption because there was no longer a need for the crankshaft to drive a pump. But the oil tank and hydraulic piping network remained. In the most modern version of power-assisted steering, there is no hydraulic oil pressure to speak of. Assistance is provided solely by an electric motor mounted on the steering column or steering rack, depending on the car’s make and model. Logically, the direct mechanical coupling between the motor and the steering mechanism should mean lucid response and undiminished feel. The reality, however, is not…

PRIMED TO PLEASE Diners looking for a fusion of local and European cuisines should head to Portico Prime, which is located at Block 10, Dempsey Hill. Headed by award-winning executive chef Nixon Low, the 118-seater restaurant’s must-try dishes include the scrumptious Collection of Heirloom Tomatoes ($24) and the pan-seared Pulau Ubin barramundi ($38). The former tantalises taste buds with slices of Jamon Serrano, marinated Hijiki seaweed and frozen honey melon dressing, while the latter has carrot ginger puree and a trout roe buerre blanc sauce. For dessert, try the warm chocolate fondant ($16), which consists of a chocolate cake made from 65 percent dark chocolate, speculoos crumbs, puffed barley and butter beer ice cream. Portico Prime also offers a variety of wines to complement its dishes, and has a well-stocked…