Tabla de contenidos para April 2016 en Torque

REPAIR COSTS ARE LOWER THAN EXPECTED Because the BMW i8’s body utilises screw-on/clip-on plastic panels, replacing them following a minor accident is relatively simple. In fact, the repair costs in such cases are similar to that of regular BMW models. SOUL-STIRRING PERFORMANCE The BMW i8 sprints from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds. That means the i8 easily keeps up with a BMW M4 equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. EVEN ITS GLASS IS SPAGE-AGE The BMW i8 is the world’s first volume-produced car equipped with chemically hardened glass, which has so far only been utilised on smartphones. This enables the vehicle to further shave off weight, as chemically hardened glass is 50 percent lighter than the conventional type. IT’S BUILT LIKE AN EXOTIC CAR The BMW i8’s LifeDrive architecture is…

Maserati has taken the wraps off the Levante, the first sports utility vehicle (SUV) in the brand’s 102-year history. This automobile enables Maserati to compete in the highly profitable premium SUV segment, where it will face firmly entrenched rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne. Indeed, the initial lineup of Levante variants would suggest that Maserati has the Cayenne in its sights. The Levante and Levante S variants both have turbocharged 3-litre V6 motors that endow them with 350bhp and 430bhp, giving them more ponies than the Cayenne and Cayenne S models. And because Ferrari manufactures the petrol-driven V6 engine, Levante owners can claim – albeit tenuously – that they’re essentially driving a “Ferrari SUV”. Other standard goodies include air suspension and a new infotainment system called Maserati TouchControl Plus (MTC).…

THE principal on-paper differences of the new topless Audi TT vis-a-vis the BMW Z4 are thus: four-wheel-drive versus rear-wheel-drive, and soft-top versus folding hard-top. It therefore is befitting of the occasion that no sooner have I settled behind the wheel of the TT late one balmy Saturday morning, torrential rainfall starts to bucket down. First impressions behind the wheel of the Audi are reassuring. The cloth canopy motors up in a leather-preserving 10 seconds, the cabin’s refinement and serenity are virtually indistinguishable from a regular coupe’s, and I am immensely glad to have quattro. Many car companies have slogans that are meaningless, but not Audi. Those guys take their “Vorsprung Durch Technik” seriously, and it’s immediately apparent on my initial acquaintance with the TT’s relentlessly futuristic robot face and laser…

GERMAN automaker Mercedes-Benz has introduced a slew of SUVs lately – a logical move considering the momentum at which SUVs are gaining popularity. The company’s latest offering in this fastest-growing segment of the market is the GLC, a crossover based on the W205 C-Class. It succeeds the GLK, which was only ever produced in left-hand-drive. The renaming strategy makes perfect sense because Mercedes sports utility vehicles are now more closely associated with their saloon siblings. We now know in an instant that the GLA is the A-Class in compact crossover form and the GLC is the C-Class on stilts. As a mid-size SUV, the new GLC is a more convincing package than the old GLK. It’s 120mm longer and 50mm wider, with more interior space for people and cargo. Yet…

WHEN I first drove the 2 Series (220i) Coupe, I was impressed by its balance and agility. It had more than enough power for Singapore roads. I thought to myself: “Who needs an M235i?” But I had to eat my own words the moment I drove off in an M235i. I assumed it would be too much for local roads, but I was duly swayed by its linear performance. I concluded back then that this should be it. If BMW created an M2, it would simply be too powerful. The output would overwhelm the compact coupe and render it undriveable. Having put the M2 through its paces at the Laguna Seca circuit recently, and driven it up and down the scenic and winding Pacific Coast Highway, I realised I was…

Although the lineage of the car goes back to the W120 of 1953, the E-Class was first used as a model name only in 1993, when the W124 saloon was facelifted and the letter E as a suffix (200E) became a prefix (E200). Before that, the E stood for Einspritzmotor, German for fuel-injection engine. The suffix has been used by Mercedes-Benz since the 1960s. But by 1983, all Mercedes-Benz production cars already used fuel-injected engines, so the E as a suffix became redundant. The carmaker made it a model name instead. The W124 was renowned for its reliability. It is not uncommon to see the first-generation E200 and 200E on Singapore roads, even today. In 1995, the W124 was replaced by the W210 that left its mark in two ways:…

“WITH CLEAR SKIES AND BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, THE SOLAR CELLS ARE SUFFICIENT TO KEEP SUNSPEC4 CRUISING AT 70KM/H ON FLAT GROUND.” THE World Solar Challenge (WSC) is a biennial race for electric cars with solar power. It’s more of a road rally, though, because the challenge starts in Darwin, Australia and ends in the southern city of Adelaide – a total distance of 3000km in six days. Competing cars travel on public roads and, hence, are bound by Australian highway code and traffi c regulations. There are also strict rules on the technical specifications/limitations of the participating cars. Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has been constructing its very own solar racecars for the event since 1999. Up till 2013, the WSC cars were all single-seaters. Last year’s challenger created by SP was a…

Bugatti has unleashed the Chiron, the world’s fastest and most powerful production car ever. Compared to its Veyron predecessor, which has “only” 1200bhp, the Chiron develops 1500bhp. Torque is rated at a tugboat-like 1600Nm. These mind-blowing figures come from a redesigned 8-litre W16 engine equipped with four turbochargers, which are activated in two stages. When moving off, only one pair provides boost. The second pair is only activated at 3800rpm. The engine sends its output to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox – the largest one in any car today. The Chiron’s performance is breathtaking. It goes from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds and will crack 200km/h four seconds later. The car’s eye-watering 420km/h top speed makes hypercars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder, which tops out at 345km/h,…

Jeep has tied up with Warner Bros Pictures to become the official car partner of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The vehicle appears in the film when it is driven through the streets of Metropolis with Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, behind the wheel. However, you don’t need to be Bruce or a billionaire to buy the Jeep Renegade “Dawn of Justice” special edition, which was launched to coincide with the movie’s release. The car’s special exterior features include Granite Crystal, Carbon Black or Colorado Red livery, a host of polished black-painted accents, black roof bars, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and bespoke Dawn of Justice badging. DOJ insignia also adorns the black cloth seats of the cabin, whose air vents and hi-fi speakers are black, too.…

BUYING a washing machine is both boring and confusing. You walk into a department store and are faced with rows of similar-looking big, white cubes. Making your task even more difficult, all the brands claim that they can get your clothes really clean while using the least amount of water and electricity. I found myself facing a similar dilemma with the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima K5. Because Hyundai and Kia are sister companies, both machines are based on the same platform. They’re also identical in size (4855mm long and with a 2805mm wheelbase), and are powered by essentially the same motor. It doesn’t help that both cars here are white. If the Sonata and Optima were washing machines, I would be more attracted to the Optima, thanks to its…

WHAT constitutes the Mulsanne Speed edition? I’m used to manufacturers taking equipment out of their cars to make them lighter and faster, but Bentley’s Speed programme stuffs the Mulsanne with even more goodies, and upgrades the limo’s performance and suspension at the same time. There are new Speed-specific exterior colours, while inside the cabin is a collection of the most exquisite materials. It starts with a two-tone theme, and continues with the addition of the Mulliner Driving Specification, which includes fancy diamond-quilted stitch lines on the leather upholstery to create the right contrast between light and dark hues. Even the headliner is in the finest leather. There are also Bentley emblems embroidered on all the seats. Every cabin item that looks like metal or wood is the real thing, such…

AUDI’S small A3, even in base 1.4-litre TFSI form, is an impressive car. In S3 guise, with a punchy turbocharged 2-litre quattro powertrain, it is arguably the best performance saloon in its class. Now there’s an even wilder version of the A3 called RS3, available only in five-door Sportback form. Could this be the best car in its class? For starters, the RS3 is the most powerful hot hatch you can buy today. Its 5-cylinder 2.5-litre engine with 1.35 bar of boost from the single turbocharger produces a constant 465Nm all the way between 1625rpm and 5550rpm. The power output is 367bhp between 5550rpm and 6800rpm. The concept of this second-generation RS3 is similar to that of its predecessor – a hatchback with a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder and quattro permanent four-wheel-drive.…

“AUDI’S “AUTOPILOT” TECHNOLOGY IS FASTER AND FURTHER AHEAD THAN TRANSPORT LEGISLATION AND TRAFFIC INFRASTRUCTURE.” YOUR eyes are not mistaken – the Audi RS7 pictured (on the left) tackling a race circuit doesn’t have a driver. I couldn’t believe my eyes either when I saw the Audi perform autonomously at Spain’s Castelloli Racetrack. The driver drove it to the track’s start grid, exited the vehicle and then remotely activated its run from outside. The driverless RS7 took off aggressively, with its turbocharged 560bhp V8 engine and loud exhaust pipes roaring. It braked hard and fast for the first turn about 200m from the start grid, and continued on its way with a wide open throttle. It moved and sounded like a racing car in action, but without a driver inside. Spooky,…

TO mark its 30th anniversary (in 2015), Stuttgart Auto arranged a five-day, four-night driveaway. Such long drives across the Causeway aren’t new to the Porsche dealership, whose annual driveaways are hugely popular with its customers, who appreciate the well-organised driving/touring opportunities. This one was its longest yet, with a 1700km route that followed Malaysia’s coastline. It was the biggest, too, with 50 cars and 91 drivers/ co-drivers, all of whom would do lots of driving and bonding along the way. The mix of twisty mountain roads, challenging dual carriageways and (at times) nearly empty highways was the perfect proving ground for the Porsches that took part – the owners’ and those I “borrowed” for this story. I switched between a Panamera, a Macan S and a Boxster GTS, and discovered…

THE BMW X6 is pretty sporty right out of the factory, but AC Schnitzer’s X6 Falcon package can turn it into a hunter of high-performance vehicles. Responsible for boosting performance to searing levels are the piggyback ECUs, which enhance output for the various X6 models. The X6 35i, for instance, gains 54bhp and 100Nm, for a total of 360bhp and 500Nm. The red-hot X6M can be boosted by 75bhp and 80Nm to 650bhp and a mountain-shifting 830Nm. In order to keep the power in check, AC Schnitzer offers replacement springs to improve the X6’s handling. These springs also enable the sports utility vehicle to be lowered between 20mm and 30mm in front, and 15mm and 25mm at the rear. For enhanced traction, there’s a selection of cast and forged wheels…

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS RAYIUS TAN In my opinion, Torque is a splendid magazine with lots of relevant information for a car lover like me. However, when I approach my friends who are equally passionate about cars, they’re unaware of Torque or have never read it. I believe that most of the people who purchase the magazine are working-class folks in their late 20s to late 30s. This actually leaves out the bulk of potential purchasers, who are people in their 20s. This is an important target audience, because they have more free time (higher probability of buying magazines to read), high disposable income (able to afford publications on a routine basis) and are socially active (likely to do publicity among…

Aston Martin has introduced the DB11, the successor to the DB9 and the first new model from the carmaker’s Second Century plan. The DB11’s launch was also significant because it was unveiled in Singapore at the same time that it was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. The fact that Singapore was the only other country that hosted a simultaneous launch proves that the country is a key market for the brand. Local deliveries of the DB11 begin in December. The car is the brand’s quickest and most powerful model to date. Beneath its shapely bonnet resides a new twin-turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 that pumps out 600bhp and 700Nm. The DB11 accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds. The engine also has modern features such as cylinder deactivation to improve…

“IN 10 YEARS, ASTON MARTIN WILL BE RECOGNISED AS A LUXURY GOODS BRAND.” THE association between Aston Martin and the James Bond films is so strong that you can’t talk about one without mentioning the other. The mere mention of the Aston Martin brand brings to mind images of a British spy behind the wheel of a beautiful sports car brimming with gadgets. But according to Dan Balmer, Aston Martin’s general manager for global marketing, the firm wants to be known as more than just a manufacturer of luxurious sports cars. The 39-year-old Briton began his career in the automotive industry as a structure design engineer at BMW, before moving to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, where he held various positions. Later, he became the general manager for the company’s Asia-Pacific operations.…

THESE three contenders are out to attract hip drivers looking for a stylish crossover. But these motorists don’t just want a car that looks good – it must have substance beneath its sheet metal, too. Aiming to capture the attention of buyers with funky tastes is the equally funky Renault Captur Flamme Edition, which has plenty of flame-inspired orange-coloured exterior bits. And with its little turbocharged engine, the Captur aims to fire up keen drivers, too. Sure to draw admiring glances is the Suzuki Vitara. Unlike its predecessor, which targeted off-road enthusiasts, the latest model is aimed at fashion-conscious suburbanites. The only hint of the Vitara’s rugged past is its all-wheel-drive system. The SsangYong Tivoli is the newest contender in this segment, and it has already garnered plenty of sales,…

THIS FLAGSHIP BRIMS WITH THE BEST TECHNOLOGY HONDA HAS IN ITS INVENTORY. SOME 30 years ago, after making excellent small cars for decades, Honda moved upmarket by creating a “legendary” bigger brother to the hugely successful and widely acclaimed Accord. The first Legend arrived here in 1986 with a V6 engine and Singapore’s first “SRS Airbag”, which totally baffled the homologators. Thus, it took a while for the car to be certified as road-legal in Singapore because, apparently, the “explosive charge” in the airbag deployment system was a major concern with our Registry of Vehicles. When the Legend finally reached the local dealership, it was the biggest car on display at the showroom of Kah Motor and the most luxurious Honda ever. Despite the high specification, spacious interior and 6-cylinder…

THE Porsche Boxster GTS was one of my favourite cars last year. With its responsive, sonorous 3.4-litre flat-6 engine and near-flawless driving dynamics, it was one of those cars that made me go: “Do I really need any more?” To me, it was the Manny Pacquiao of sports cars – smallish, but pound for pound, probably providing the best punch in the sport. Then I was asked to attend the technical presentation conducted in Marseille, France, for the new Porsche Boxster, now called the 718 Boxster as homage to Porsche’s mid-engined, 4-cylinder racecars of the 1960s. Gone are the naturally aspirated flat-6s of the old roadster, and in their place are – gulp! – two turbocharged flat-4 units. Yup, like all other manufacturers these days, Porsche has “downsized” one of…

1_Head to the greens with this TaylorMade golf bag, which has 14 slots for clubs and eight compartments for essentials, including an insulated one for drinks. The bag also comes with a rain cover to protect your gear from thunderstorms. $559 2_Shine like a pro on the golf course with this handy gift set, which includes 10 tees, a soft cloth for wiping clubs and a divot repair tool. $144 3_Your morning coffee might have an extra kick when you drink it from this AMG GT mug. The caffeine hit could even last longer, too. $67 4_Show your love of the marque on casual Fridays by donning this Hugo Boss polo tee, which features the brand’s three-pointed star logo. $200 5_Shield your iPhone 6 from bumps and scratches with this…