Tabla de contenidos para September 2018 en Torque

We’ve all heard the term “sustainability”, but what exactly does it mean? Oxford Dictionaries defines it as “avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.” For most folks, sustainability is a relatively new concept that they are still learning. But for companies such as the BMW Group and chefs like Dharshan Munidasa, sustainability is deeply rooted in the way they work. Dharshan, who hails from Sri Lanka, is his country’s most famous chef and restaurateur. He has five restaurants that include Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab, which have both been listed on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants since 2015. Dharshan talks about sustainability, his plans for a carbon-neutral restaurant and why the BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance is an SUV that suits his needs. HOW DID…

DRIVETRAIN TYPE V6, 24-valves CAPACITY 3456cc BORE X STROKE 94mm x 83mm COMPRESSION RATIO 11.8:1 MAX POWER 289hp at 6300rpm MAX TORQUE 358Nm at 4600-4700rpm POWER TO WEIGHT 138.3hp per tonne GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select DRIVEN WHEELS All PERFORMANCE 0-100KM/H 8.1 seconds TOP SPEED 200km/h CONSUMPTION 9.8km/L CO2 EMISSION 234g/km SUSPENSION FRONT MacPherson struts, coil springs REAR Double wishbones, coil springs BRAKES FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs TYRES TYPE Bridgestone Dueler H/L SIZE 235/55 R20 SAFETY AIRBAGS 10 TRACTION AIDS ABS, VSC MEASUREMENTS LENGTH 5000mm WIDTH 1895mm HEIGHT 1700mm WHEELBASE 2790mm KERB WEIGHT 2090kg TURNING CIRCLE 11.8m BUYING IT PRICE INCL. COE $292,800 (after $20k VES surcharge) WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km MOST LUXURIOUS INTERIOR, SILKIEST RIDE, RORTIEST MOTOR SMALLEST BOOT, LEAST PRACTICAL CABIN, TINIEST THIRD-ROW BESTIN REFINEMENT…

DRIVETRAIN TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, supercharged & turbocharged CAPACITY 1969cc BORE X STROKE 82mm x 93.2mm COMPRESSION RATIO 10.3:1 MAX POWER 315hp at 5700rpm MAX TORQUE 400Nm at 2200-5400rpm POWER TO WEIGHT 150.1hp per tonne GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select DRIVEN WHEELS All PERFORMANCE 0-100KM/H 6.5 seconds TOP SPEED 230km/h CONSUMPTION 12.5km/L (combined) CO2 EMISSION 184g/km SUSPENSION FRONT Double wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar REAR Integral axle, composite leaf spring, anti-roll bar BRAKES FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs TYRES TYPE Michelin Latitude Sport 3 SIZE 275/45 R20 SAFETY AIRBAGS 7 TRACTION AIDS ABS, ESC MEASUREMENTS LENGTH 4950mm WIDTH 2008mm HEIGHT 1776mm WHEELBASE 2984mm KERB WEIGHT 2099kg TURNING CIRCLE 12.1m BUYING IT PRICE INCL. COE $329,999 (after $20k VES surcharge) WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km SPRIGHTLIEST PERFORMANCE, COOLEST INFOTAINMENT, COMFIEST SECOND-ROW LEAST REFINED…

BMW X4 xDrive30i HOT on the heels of the X2 that was launched earlier this year is the BMW X4, the latest “SUV coupe” in the German carmaker’s lineup. The first-generation X4, which was introduced four years ago, offered interested buyers a coupe-like version of the X3. Like its predecessor, the X4 is also based on the X3, and both are built on the German carmaker’s CLAR (cluster architecture) platform. This new platform is used for larger rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models. That includes the X7, which will be introduced next year. When viewed from the front, the similarities between the X3 and X4 are quite clear, with both having similar grilles, bumpers and LED headlights. The more significant differences between the current X4 and the previous one are the larger…

Hyundai’s N division is headed up by Albert Biermann, formerly from BMW’s M GmbH. He joined the Korean giant at the end of 2014. His first major project at BMW was the iconic E30 M3. This is a good clue as to the direction he wants to steer Hyundai’s drive-faster performance programme. Biermann insists that N is not just a carbon copy of the M story and will forge its own path to create respectable sporting cars, through the optimal use of the resources already available in Hyundai. Biermann is not alone in this quest. Hyundai has also hired Thomas Schemera, ex-BMW, to be head of the company’s newly established High Performance Vehicle & Motorsport Division; and Klaus Koster, ex-AMG, to be director of High Performance Vehicle Development at Hyundai…

KIA CERATO $86,999 ON THE ROAD Compared to its predecessor, this family saloon has a sharper design, enhanced connectivity and better driveability. The Cerato’s styling is inspired by the Stinger fastback, while the interior offers greater convenience with more USB ports and wireless smartphone charging. The naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine is carried over from the older model, but the car’s 100kg lighter body makes it nimbler than before. The Cerato is available in three variants. RIVAL: TOYOTA COROLLA ALTIS BMW i8 ROADSTER PRICE ON APPLICATION This topless two-seater is a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid equipped with a 143hp electric motor and a turbocharged 1.5-litre 3-cylinder that produces 231hp and 320Nm of torque. Their combined 374hp output enables the i8 Roadster to smash the century sprint in 4.6 seconds, while managing a…

“TO BE APPOINTED AS THE HEAD OF A BRAND THAT IS A SPECIALIST IN MANUFACTURING SPORTS CARS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.” THE boss of Alpine (before he left to join Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations) is a Dutchman who has seen, and done, a lot in the world of cars. Born in the Netherlands in 1965 and equipped with an MBA from Nyenrode Business University, Michael has been with many brands since he first stepped foot in the automotive industry. From 1991 till September 2013, he has worked for Nissan Europe, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Tesla Motors, and Aston Martin. In between his tenures with Nissan and Rolls-Royce/Bentley, he was at Harley-Davidson, the only non-car brand on his resume. He joined the Renault Group in 2013 as Senior Vice…

What can you buy for $20? At today’s prices, $20 can get you a decent meal at a restaurant. Or it could buy you five plates of chicken rice at $3.50 each. It may not sound like much, but you could also own a Mitsubishi Attrage for $20 a day. And we’re not talking about registering it as an off-peak car. Don’t rub your eyes. You read that right. • Enjoy the convenience of having a car available anytime • Save money that would otherwise be spent on taxis and private-hire vehicles, and the surge pricing during rush hour and thunderstorms • Not get your expensive sneakers splashed by muddy water while waiting for a bus/taxi • Get to your destination faster instead of being driven in circles by private-hire…

The Lexus RX350L is the most ideal seven-seater SUV for drivers who won’t be venturing out of our concrete jungle. The car’s smaller size makes it much easier to manoeuvre in built-up areas, while its quiet cabin and well-tuned dampers give it the silkiest ride quality in this Group Test. We are also pleased with the RX350L’s throaty V6 and slick 8-speed automatic gearbox. Less impressive, however, are the clumsy infotainment controls and tiny third-row, which would make anyone taller than 1.5m quite claustrophobic. Space isn’t an issue in the Land Rover Discovery, for this British behemoth has more than enough room for seven adults and their belongings. The Discovery also has the most commanding driving position and an all-wheel-drive system with various modes for various surfaces. It even has…

MERCEDESBENZ E200 CABRIOLET 2.0 versus AUDI A5 CABRIOLET 2.0 ARRIVING at an event in a luxurious convertible with the top down is one of the surest ways of making an entrance. You get bonus points if both you and your date are well-dressed and have slightly tousled hairdos. After all, a convertible’s main purpose is to convey its occupants to their destinations in style. Nobody buys these cars for practical considerations. If you want a cabriolet that’s both fashionable and refined, the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (in E200 form) are two models to consider. I’m immediately drawn to the A5 the moment I see it. The test unit’s Tango Red paintwork seems to make it glow, even in a dimly lit carpark. And with a height of 1483mm (45mm…

HYUNDAI i30 N UP till now, Hyundai seemed to be content making affordable cars for practical people. Well, that is about to change – fast. Since 2012, Hyundai has been acquiring the talents of some top German engineers and executives in its effort to surpass the Japanese and perhaps even the Europeans. Providing solid proof that the Korean automaker has stepped up its game is the Hyundai N programme, whose first product to hit the market is the i30 N. This new model is not merely a badging exercise, with just the engine turbo boost of the regular i30 hatchback turned up. Hyundai says that N stands for Namyang, where their R&D centre is located, but more befittingly, N also means Nurburgring, where Hyundai has a department for testing and…

“AN ENGINE THAT IS REGULARLY SERVICED, FILLED WITH GOOD-QUALITY LUBRICANT AND FITTED WITH A RECOMMENDED OIL FILTER WILL NOT REQUIRE FLUSHING.” A mechanic told me that my car had a “head gasket leak”. He showed me some evidence of oil seepage and recommended that I have it fixed. He said that it would get worse, even if a repair was not urgent. Exactly how serious is this? The head gasket is the seal between an engine’s cylinder block and cylinder head. The piston moves in the cylinder block and the head is where the valves are located and where combustion is initiated. As such, the head experiences very high pressures and is subjected to much of the heat generated during combustion. The head gasket also isolates the oil and coolant…

POST/MAIL OF THE MONTH POST YOUR QUESTIONS, comments or suggestions on our Facebook page (www.fb.com/torque.singapore)or e-mail us (magtorque@sph.com.sg). ON MAKING AEB MANDATORY IN SINGAPORE JOHN (PSEUDONYM) Dear Torque , I second the sentiment of reader Roy in his letter quoted in the July issue [Autonomous emergency braking will save lives if it’s made mandatory]. It is with regret that safety has never been properly regarded by the LTA and authorised dealerships. Unlike the European Union, no local law has been legislated to have ESP (electronic stability programme), AEB (autonomous emergency braking) and a minimum of six airbags as standard in every car. This shows a severe lack of awareness among the authorities, dealerships and consumers on the issue of car safety. Without legislation to enforce safety standards…

LEXUS RX350L 3.5 versus LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 2.0 versus VOLVO XC90 T6 2.0 WHY buy a seven-seater SUV when a seven-seater MPV does the job of ferrying people just as well, if not even better? SUV owners will tell you that among other things, a sports utility vehicle looks better than a multi-purpose vehicle and can be just as versatile. With all-wheel-drive and higher ground clearance, an SUV can also go off-road and would fare better in a flash flood than a regular car. Giving owners the ability to ford rivers and bash through jungles (even concrete ones) is the Land Rover Discovery, which is the tallest and largest contender here. Dimensions aside, the Discovery also offers a roomy and practical cabin filled with numerous amenities. Making its first appearance…

DRIVETRAIN TYPE Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged CAPACITY 1997cc BORE X STROKE 83mm x 92.3mm COMPRESSION RATIO 9.5:1 MAX POWER 296hp at 5500rpm MAX TORQUE 400Nm at 1500-4000rpm POWER TO WEIGHT 141.4hp per tonne GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select DRIVEN WHEELS All PERFORMANCE 0-100KM/H 7.7 seconds TOP SPEED 201km/h CONSUMPTION 10.4km/L (combined) CO2 EMISSION 222g/km SUSPENSION FRONT Double wishbones, adaptive dampers, anti-roll bar REAR Multi-link, adaptive dampers, anti-roll bar BRAKES FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs TYRES TYPE Goodyear Eagle F1 AT SIZE 255/55 R20 SAFETY AIRBAGS 8 TRACTION AIDS ABS, DSC MEASUREMENTS LENGTH 4956mm WIDTH 2073mm HEIGHT 1853mm WHEELBASE 2923mm KERB WEIGHT 2093kg TURNING CIRCLE 12.7m BUYING IT PRICE INCL. COE $330,999 (after $20k VES surcharge) WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km THE MOST CABIN SPACE, BEST OFF-ROADING ABILITY, MOST IMPOSING CHARACTER LEAST AGILE,…

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT IN 2003, Bentley rolled out the first-generation Continental GT, under the stewardship of VW-Audi rather than Rolls-Royce. This was the first Bentley made that had nothing to do with the old partnership with Rolls-Royce. Instead, the 2003 Bentley Continental GT was created from the platform of the Volkswagen Phaeton. Bentley made huge improvements to create the Continental range of cars, which include the Continental GT Convertible and Continental Flying Spur. The second-generation Continental GT, introduced in 2011, was a heavily revised edition of the first-generation Continental GT. The changes were so subtle that it was not easy to discern new from old at a glance. However, in 2018, after soldiering on with the old platform for some 14 years, Bentley ditched it for one shared with Porsche…

There was an unexpected bonus at the Nurburgring, where I was to test the i30 N hatchback – a preview drive of the i30 N Fastback prototype, which will make its world premiere in November. I drove the undisguised i30 N hatchback and disguised i30 N Fastback, one after the other, on the roads surrounding Nurburgring after the track session. The Fastback variant is as entertaining as its hatchback sibling, if a bit more supple and resolved in its repertoire. While the hatchback is lively and a little aggressive, the Fastback is more mellow, and more sophisticated in its ride and handling. It feels even more positive than the already impressive i30 N hatchback. I prefer the i30 N Fastback, by a whisker. But it’s still a prototype at this…

Partygoers looking for high-revving revelry during the Singapore Grand Prix should seriously consider heading to Amber Lounge Singapore, which takes place on the 15th and 16th of September. Amber Lounge Singapore is billed as one of the most glamorous Formula 1 after-parties. This year’s event, which is located at Temasek Reflection (Singapore Water Wall), Millenia Walk, will again be entertaining celebrities, F1 teams and drivers with a lineup of international acts, DJs and unlimited drinks. Guests will be treated to a fashion show by F1 drivers on 15 September, followed by musical numbers performed by singers, a saxophonist and a drummer. After the night race on 16 September, revellers can again look forward to rubbing shoulders with F1 drivers and celebrities, against a pulse-raising backdrop of live acts and DJs.…