Torqueの March 2017 の目次

SPECIAL SHUTTLE BUS The styling and two-tone paintwork of Volkswagen’s I.D. Buzz pay tribute to the classic Microbus, but the concept MPV is closer to Universal Serial Bus in terms of technology and connectivity. The versatile vehicle has a zero-emissions, all-wheel-drive system with an electric motor at the front axle, another at the rear axle and a 111kWh battery pack which can be recharged to 80 percent of its capacity within 30 minutes. With a power output of 369bhp, the electric vehicle can accelerate from a standstill to 100km/h in around 5 seconds and reach a governed top speed of 160km/h. The theoretical driving range is 600 kilometres – about the distance from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and back. It’ll be a pleasant journey for the folks on board, thanks…

SPORTS utility vehicles (SUVs) have replaced saloons as the most popular type of car in Singapore. But if you’re one of the few motorists who have refused to jump on the SUV bandwagon, the three contenders we’ve gathered here are definitely worthy of your consideration. The Toyota Vios is the oldest model in this story, but its design hasn’t really aged. Beneath its sheet metal, the Vios has received improvements to its powertrain. Its engine is now more frugal than before, and the previous 4-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox has been replaced by a more efficient CVT (continuously variable transmission). Also not showing its age is the Honda City, which was launched here three years ago. In this contest, the City will aim to woo buyers with its combination of roominess…

CARS are generally built for a specific purpose. Sports cars need lots of power and torque, and be agile in handling. They usually come with two doors and have comparatively little space for passengers and baggage. Family cars need to have four doors, seats for five passengers and a sizeable boot for grocery runs. They also need to be easy enough for everyone in the family to drive – from the father who has been driving for 25 years to the son with a newly minted driving licence. Luxury cars must have brand appeal, presence and rear legroom that the towkays will approve of. Few cars have all the key attributes of a sports car, family car and luxury car bundled into one package. The new Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic+…

1_ Your child can’t ride a BMW motorcycle yet, but the Junior Cruise Bike, which has six speeds and disc brakes, will do just fine for now. $916 2_ Toddlers aged one to three can fuel their need for speed with the Baby Racer III, which has rubber tyres for good grip and a small turning circle for tight manoeuvres around the living room. $201 3_ Kids too young to operate remote-controlled models might enjoy the M3 GT2 Light & Sound, which has a pull-back motor. True to its name, this 1:32 scale model has flashing lights and makes revving noises to delight little enthusiasts. $32 4_ Can’t find your old packs of Top Trumps? You can always grab a set of these card games and challenge your children. $23…

RENAULT MEGANE FROM $116,999 ON THE ROAD The new Megane is more upmarket than ever, and comes with a long list of features that include a digital instrument cluster, snazzy infotainment unit and a branded hi-fi system. The model is available in three variants – a sedan and two hatchbacks. The Megane Sedan and GT-Line hatch are powered by 1.5-litre turbo-diesel engines, while the Megane GT will tempt enthusiasts with its 205bhp output and standard four-wheel-steering system. • RIVAL: VOLKSWAGEN GOLF BMW 5 SERIES PRICE ON APPLICATION This new executive saloon is filled with more technology than its predecessor, boasting features such as Lane Change Assistant and optional Remote Parking. The car also delivers greater driving pleasure, thanks to its 100kg lighter body and more powerful engines. The 540i, for…

“NAPKIN SKETCHES ARE PROBABLY THE BEST SKETCHES.” IF you spent at least 10 minutes talking to Jonathan Disley, you might begin to think that future Volvo models are going to have retro designs, and will be bereft of any advanced features. This is because the 46-year-old Briton is very much a fan of classic cars, and has owned models such as the Porsche 356 and 912. Although his heart may be in the past, his mind is firmly in the modern age. In fact, since most of his work experience revolves around concepts, you could also say that his eyes are on the future. Jonathan started his automobile design career in 1995 with Audi, where he penned the exterior of the A4 Cabriolet. His first stint with Volvo came four…

IF l was working in human resources and put in charge of hiring, I wouldn’t subject job applicants to interviews and personality tests. Instead, I would put them behind the wheel. Because I believe that a person’s driving style is more revealing than any face-to-face interaction or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. On the road, various traffi c situations will bring out a person’s true colours. For instance, a candidate may be all smiles in front of your desk, but in a car, may cut in front of another driver without signalling, speed up to prevent another motorist from changing into his lane, or be over-enthusiastic with his headlights-flashing and honking. Some aggressiveness can be a positive trait in the workplace, especially if he or she is applying for a sales position,…

NO , your eyes are not deceiving you. The Infiniti Q30 Sport and Volvo V40 Cross Country might look like hatchbacks, but they have slightly taller ride heights and are marketed as crossovers by their respective brands. And although these crossovers are not deemed “hot”, a quick glance at their technical specifications will have you thinking otherwise. The Q30 has 208bhp and 350Nm, while the V40 possesses 190bhp and 300Nm. Both crossovers are powered by turbocharged 2-litre engines, but surprisingly, the more powerful Q30 takes slightly longer than the V40 to complete the century sprint (7.3 seconds versus 7.1 seconds). The difference in acceleration is probably down to the Q30’s all-wheel-drive system and heftier mass. At 1540kg, it weighs 70kg more than the V40. Between the two crossovers, the V40,…

ON paper, it seems like the 911 Carrera GTS is just a 911 Carrera S with the optional Powerkit installed. The Powerkit, which comes with bigger turbochargers, adds 30bhp and 50Nm to the Carrera S, putting it on a par with the Carrera GTS. Apart from the boost in power, the Powerkit also includes the Sport Chrono Package, which features dynamic engine mounts and a sports exhaust system. However, the Carrera GTS has a few more goodies apart from its more powerful motor. Aesthetically, the model comes with the SportDesign front apron and wing mirrors, and has “smoked” tail-lamps. The tailpipes and logos are also finished in black to further distinguish the car from its non-GTS siblings. More significantly, the Carrera GTS uses the wider body of the all-wheel-drive Carrera…

UNLIKE the Italians, who like you to think their cars are soulful beings rendered in carbon fibre, there is no pretence in Vorsprung durch Technik (Advancement through Technology) – Audi Sport makes killer robots. When Skynet takes over, Audi Sport will be the Terminators’ official automotive partner. In the meantime, I assault our roads astride a combined 1100 angry German horses – packaged in bright orangey red, audible before they are visible, like thunder portending a hurricane; all in the name of defining just what the RS badge represents. Upholding the honour of Audi Sport in the crucible of a Torque twin test are the second-generation R8 V10 and an improbably ballistic Ikea hauler, the RS6 Avant V8. Of course, I start with the mid-engine supercar. The original R8, for…

THE HUMOUR MILL ALVIN PHUA I was a subscriber of Carma before it became part of Torque , and I continue to subscribe to Torque . I enjoyed the articles in Carma and its sense of humour, and I’m glad Torque has been able to preserve that. But I think Torque can do better if it can be more critical in the car reviews. It seems that the focus is always on the positives, with not much mentioned about the shortcomings of the cars reviewed. In any case, I still enjoy reading Torque and always look forward to receiving my magazine every month. Torque…

IF you want solid proof of how much Hyundai cars have improved in the past decade, just put two generations of the same model side by side and compare their stark differences in design, quality and technology. We’ve done exactly that here, placing Hyundai’s all-new LF Hyundai Sonata alongside its NF predecessor from two generations ago (the previous YF model was marketed as the i45). Ten years separate the two saloons in Singapore, but the rapid progress that the Korean automaker has made within that time makes the 2000s Sonata look and feel as if it’s from the 1990s. The new Sonata’s contemporary styling is one of the clearest testaments to this progress. It has an imposing front grille flanked by chiselled headlamps, and sleek lines across its body. Only…

THE i-Road reminds me of two other atypical Toyotas I drove in the past. One was the iQ, a 996cc runabout that tries to be smarter than Daimler’s Smart micro-hatchback in terms of packaging. The other was a forklift. Like the iQ, the styling of the i-Road could qualify as a car-toon from the pages of a manga comic book. And like the Toyota forklift I took for a spin years ago, the i-Road has three wheels – two in the front and one in the back. But this little Toyota is much closer to being a car than a warehouse industrial vehicle, or one of those peculiar three-wheeled scooters. It has a completely enclosed cabin, with a pair of doors plus front and rear windscreens made of glass, the…

Seafood fans looking for a hearty buffet may want to check out Angie’s Oyster Bar, which is offering the Eat & Drink All You Want special (above) from March 13 to 18. Feast on green butter steamed oysters and mussels steamed with cider and bacon, and choose from a selection of stout beers to quaff your thirst. Angie’s Oyster Bar is located at 50 Raffles Place. Beer lovers who want to celebrate St Patrick’s Day may want to head down to Nickeldime Drafthouse, which is offering the Irish Beer Mammoth Chicken (above), an entire bird cooked in a big can of beer. The promotion is valid from March 13 to 18. The establishment is located at 273 Thomson Road. Patbingsoo Korean Dining House serves Seoul-ful dishes with a western twist…