Table of contents for December 2015 in Torque

BMW had the world in awe when it first revealed the electric i3 and plug-in hybrid i8 sports car. More than just design masterpieces that captured the imagination, the vehicles were pioneers of the new reality in motoring: sustainability. The cars also feature a series of technical revolutions, such as a high-performance lithium-ion battery that charges faster and more easily. Thus, it better complements the electric motor that’s found in both BMW i models. MAKING LIGHT WORK A key pillar of success for the BMW i models, though, was the fact that they are very light, aerodynamic and yet very strong. The all-encompassing lightweight approach to the design of BMW’s new car – dubbed “Intelligent Lightweight Engineering” – has seen engineers shave weight off every possible aspect of its build…

Land Rover has unveiled the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the brand’s first-ever cabriolet. Based on the Evoque compact SUV, the four-seater Convertible variant has a soft-top that can be lowered in 18 seconds and raised in 21 seconds. The roof, which Land Rover claims is the longest and widest on any vehicle to date, can be operated at speeds up to 48km/h. Also debuting in this model is the carmaker’s new InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, which features a 10.2-inch screen and is claimed to offer enhanced connectivity and responsiveness. Wearnes Automotive expects to launch the Evoque Convertible in either the third or fourth quarter of 2016.…

FOR HIM FOR HER Available at Seiko Boutiques located at #01-29 Jem and #01-03 Vivocity. Visit www.thongsia.com.sg,www.facebook.com/SeikoSG, or follow Seiko at www.Instagram.com/SeikoSG for more information.…

WHAT’S new? Well, the car’s blue colour, for one. Beyond that, you’ll struggle to notice the rounded-off front bumper and redesigned lamp clusters. The aggregate effect is subtle, but more organic than before. Inside, goodwill garnered from a smattering of chrome and piano black is immediately reversed by the specification of artificial leather and the dullest door trim in the class. Navigation is finally standard, though. But the big news is under the skin. The original F30 316i in Sport trim was a landmark executive saloon when launched in 2012, because it heralded the end of when a base BMW could be out-dragged by a Camry. The 316i was also dressed/equipped well enough to camouflage itself among its higher-numbered brethren. Handling-wise, however, it felt like a lost opportunity. The grumbles…

BRABUS has introduced the Rocket 900 Desert Gold Edition, a limousine with supercar-crushing performance. Based on the Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG, the Rocket 900 has a nought to 100km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed exceeding 350km/h. Responsible for these figures is a twin-turbocharged V12 that produces 900hp (or 887bhp) and an asphalt-melting 1200Nm. The engine’s original displacement of 5.5-litres was increased to 6.3-litres and features larger turbochargers, wider downpipes and a stainless steel exhaust system. Giving this Brabus its unique appearance are its Desert Gold paintwork, forged 21-inch Monoblock F Plantinum Edition wheels and carbon fibre aerodynamic components. Mimicking the exterior, the vehicle’s interior is upholstered in gold and black Mastik leather, with “900” logos on the head restraints. Helping tame the car’s monstrous output are the limited-slip…

MINI has introduced the all-new Convertible, which is aimed squarely at stylish and sun-loving drivers. This third-generation model is not only roomier than the older one, it offers more practicality and convenience as well. The latest Convertible has more road presence thanks to its increased dimensions – it is 44mm wider and has a 28mm longer wheelbase for improved spaciousness. The lengthened wheelbase enables the front seats to be slid further forward to help ingress/egress for rear occupants, who also have 36mm more legroom. Also roomier this time around is the boot, which offers 160 litres of space with the roof open and 215 litres when it is closed. Both capacities are 25 percent greater compared to the ones in the previous car. For the first time, the Convertible is…

The Toyota Automobile Museum hosted its annual classic car festival on Nov 28 at Meijijingu Gaien park in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The theme for this year’s event was lightweight, no-frills models such as the 1960 Toyopet Crown Model RS21 (above). The RS21 was also the lead vehicle for the Classic Car Parade, in which approximately 100 privately owned vehicles participated. Apart from Japanese cars, the festival also featured other models, such as a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and a 1961 Jaguar XK150S.…

To power through rough terrain, long distances, high altitudes and severe temperatures, it’s essential to carry the right gear. Choose your gadgets, equipment and clothing wisely, and they will give you the edge you need to overcome most obstacles. Your timepiece is a prime example. By providing details like the weather and changes in air pressure, and features like a compass and altimeter, it turns into a valuable tool that can point you in the right direction and help you make smart decisions. Tissot’s T-Touch Expert Solar, for one, offers all these and more. It’s light, stylish and multi-functional, with clever elements that push you to succeed and heighten your sense of adventure. Here’s why you should strap it on for your next expedition. DESIGN UPGRADE The latest touchscreen T-Touch…

A seven-seater SUV is an exciting alternative to a humdrum seven-seater MPV. Although they are less spacious for passengers, SUVs offer better driveability and, when equipped with four-wheel-drive systems, some off-roading ability, too. The three premium SUVs we’ve gathered here deliver more than just strong performance – they’re also packed with standard equipment that makes them intelligent. The BMW X5, for instance, has ConnectedDrive, a suite of features that include a concierge service for owners. The third-generation X5 also promises keen handling, a trait expected of the Bavarian marque. Throwing its hat into this contest is the all-new Volvo XC90. Apart from its bolder design, the car’s interior offers greater space and a more advanced dashboard compared to the previous model. Looking to make a big impact in this shootout…

WHAT happens when fire meets ice? Conventional thinking would say that the former will melt the latter. But if the ice is cold enough, it might just extinguish the fire. The “fire” in this story is the 911 Carrera GTS, which sits between the Carrera S and Turbo models in the 911 lineup. Its athleticism is reflected in its fiery Carmine Red paintwork and aggressive-looking 20-inch wheels finished in Satin Black. Also painted black are the 911’s air intakes, engine cover and tailpipes. The GTS also has a rear end that’s 44mm wider than that of the Carrera and Carrera S models. This added width not only endows it with better roadholding it gives the GTS more flair on the road, too. But when it comes to sheer road presence,…

IF the Volkswagen Scirocco R plays hard rock, then the Scirocco 1.4 must play soft rock. The Scirocco R, with its larger and more powerful 2-litre engine, plays its songs loud and fast. The Scirocco 1.4, on the other hand, delivers sweeter but mellower tunes. Because its “music” is more affordable, the Scirocco 1.4 is also more popular than the Scirocco R. At press time, the former is listed at $121,800, whereas the latter costs $193,800, or $72k more. The previous Scirocco 1.4’s performance contributed to its popularity. Despite the motor’s small displacement, the model originally produced 160bhp and 240Nm, thanks to a combination of turbocharging and supercharging. The supercharger provides boost at lower speeds, but is decoupled at higher revs once the turbocharger had a chance to spool up.…

AS far as pastimes go, a road trip is as big a part of American culture as burgers and baseball. Blessed with vast interstate systems, rugged small towns and amazing landscapes, the home of the brave and land of the free offers the willing traveller limitless adventures – as long as you own a set of wheels. I swopped a train for a Chevrolet Colorado for my journey from New York City to Washington, D.C. during a recent family holiday to find out what makes this time-honoured tradition so appealing. If you have never heard of the Chevrolet Colorado, it’s because it’s not sold in Singapore. Well, not anymore anyway. Like many other pickups, it fell foul of the Euro V diesel emission standard some years back. It is what…

HIS favourite musicians include the Beatles, and he enjoys playing his bass guitar, so One FM 91.3 deejay Shan Wee knows all about “real music” (the station’s tag line). The 33-year-old also knows about the DeLorean DMC-12, his dream car, and it got real for him when he did this Torque Guest Drive. “I love the Back To The Future movie series, especially the first instalment, which still stands up as a great film even today, 30 years later. That and the rarity of the car, with only about 6000 in existence, mean I was as excited as if I were about to meet a Hollywood celebrity!” He’s right about the rarity of DeLorean’s gull-wing coupe, with the elusive example here being the one and only in Singapore. Compared to…

THE location was Langkawi, Malaysia. The mission was “Luminox Spec Ops”. The man in charge was John McGuire, CEO of Seal Team Physical Training, which specialises in Seal-style team-building. He’s more than a trainer, having served 10 years with the US Navy’s elite Seal unit and participated in countless special operations in many parts of the world, mostly rescue-related and all of them classified. Not so top secret, but still military-ready, are Luminox watches. They’re known for their toughness, timekeeping precision, reliability and micro gas tubes that illuminate in the dark. In other words, they’re the tools needed for paramilitary “exercises” like this. For half a day, which felt like the longest day at some points, the 37 civilian participants did a “beach assault” at Berjaya Langkawi Resort. The siong…

CARS AND SOUPS RACHAEL ANG Dear Torque , I think the article Men Out-talk Women [2015 September issue’s Behind The Wheel column] is rather inaccurate. If the conversation on cars centres on things like third-row seats and parking aids, we women will certainly be more interested and talkative than the men. Let’s be candid – in the Singapore context, and in most of Asia’s congested cities, power-to-weight ratio and horsepower rarely matter. They’re stuff that most people, and not just men, only dream of. It’s like fantasising about a date with Christina Hendricks. Totally unrealistic for most guys, who’ll end up going home with their “lesser” wives or girlfriends. But when it comes to being fed with chicken soup while nursing a cold,…

Porsche has introduced the Macan GTS, which sits between the Macan S and Macan Turbo variants. Although the Macan S and Macan GTS both have twin-turbocharged 3-litre V6 engines, the latter is tuned to produce 360bhp and 480Nm, or 20bhp and 20Nm more than the former. This gives the Macan GTS a century sprint time of 5.2 seconds, which is 0.2 of a second quicker than the Macan S. To harness the hotter performance, the GTS variant has a 15mm lower ride height and 20-inch wheels with staggered tyre sizes as standard. The Macan GTS is priced at $326,488 without COE.…

But there’s more to the T-Touch Expert Solar than meets the eye. The timepiece is part of Tissot’s mission to support mountaineers and their quest to reach the top – the brand is closely associated with the Swiss Alps. Tissot further promotes this cause through recent projects such as the “First Cliff Walk by Tissot” and the “Peak Walk by Tissot” – two impressive suspension bridges in Switzerland. Both show you what it’s like to scale the Swiss Alps through an alpine climber’s eyes, and invite you to enjoy the scenery, too. Located in Grindelwald, the “First Cliff Walk by Tissot” was opened to the public on Sept 16, 2015. The one-rope bridge is 40m long, and leads you to a 45m viewing platform for admiring the surrounding mountainside. The…

It may pack the fewest horses under the bonnet, but with its sporty handling and rorty-sounding motor, the BMW X5 still delivers the sweetest drive. Access to its rearmost seats could be better, but a bigger hurdle is the car’s asking price at press time – over $13k and almost $25k more than the Q7 and XC90 respectively. The Volvo XC90 is hugely impressive, placing the Swedish carmaker firmly in the premium SUV segment. Its snazzy infotainment system and ultra-cushy seats are its strongest attributes. This Volvo would have been even more attractive had it been roomier relative to its two rivals here. The Audi Q7 is even more impressive than the XC90 in this story. It boasts the best powertrain, nicest ride (thanks to the standard air suspension) and…

FOLKS who need a family saloon, but want to steer away from the traditional Japanese models, can consider the two interesting European alternatives in this story. Both the Ford Focus and Renault Fluence were updated earlier this year to enhance their competitiveness in the local market. The Fluence now comes with a new trim level dubbed Privilege, which adds a host of extra features, while the Focus has a revised interior with higher-quality materials and a cleaner layout. Both cars have had minor design tweaks, too. The Focus turns more heads (including mine) with its striking look, helped by the distinctive front grille that brings Aston Martin to mind. In contrast, the Fluence’s exterior is more conservative, although still handsome, especially with those LED lamps lit. Inside the cabin, the…

IN the Japanese domestic market segment of multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) with sliding rear doors, Toyota is the big daddy. Families are spoilt for choice by the company’s current lineup – Alphard, Vellfire, Esquire, Noah, Voxy, Isis, Estima/ Previa and, the subject of this review, the new Sienta. Toyota even has something for a large family that doesn’t believe in birth control (the 10-seater Hiace Wagon Grand Cabin) and a small family of three that believes in birth control (658cc Pixis Mega, a badge-engineered Daihatsu Wake kei car). The second-generation Sienta looks dramatically different from its predecessor, whose most distinctive design feature is its round headlights (which became squarish on the facelifted Dice variant). According to Toyota, the newcomer has “a sporty exterior design inspired by the shape of a trekking…

SCARCER than hen’s teeth and cuter than day-old chicks, Singapore’s punchiest MINI hot hatch and funkiest Fiat pocket rocket are seldom seen in the open and never spotted together – until now. Both turbo tots are based on regular three-door hatchbacks (2-litre MINI Cooper S and 1.4-litre Fiat 500), but their technical enhancements and special equipment make them highly irregular. Their prices are high, too, with the new John Cooper Works (JCW) listed at $193,000 and the 695 Tributo Ferrari costing $200,000 back in 2010, when it was showcased during the F1 Singapore Grand Prix week. You can walk into the MINI showroom today and order a new JCW, but you’ll be walking in circles if you wish to buy a mint 695, which is a limited edition rarer than…

THE human body is like a moving machine, with an incredible degree of control to maintain balance, level, shock absorption, skid alleviation and stability at speed. Furthermore, human beings do not need to think or analyse aspects of their mobility to maintain smooth progress. It is all done automatically. It’s absolutely state-of-the-art active (human) body control. Compared to that, the average car’s body control system is primitive – a set of springs, dampers and some linkages, all of which basically “react” to road conditions. Said system is a purely passive one. Hit a bump on the road and the suspension arms move, taking along the springs and dampers that are preset to cater for a specific range of dynamic conditions, and never all of them. It was Colin Chapman, founder…

FRENCH FARE Lovers of Gallic cuisine who also love dining in art deco settings could try 1919 Waterboat House, which offers dishes such as Entrecote and Homard (above). The latter is a blue lobster tail poached in paella butter and accompanied by mussels and asparagus. The restaurant is located at 3 Fullerton Road, Singapore 049215. CHOW ON THIS Diners who find chowder comforting can check out Seattle Pike Chowder, which offers classics such as New England and Manhattan chowders. For the more adventurous, there are more interesting options, such as the hearty Crab Oyster Chorizo bread bowl (below). The eatery is located at 1 Marine Parade Central, #01-05, and at the Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris, #01-01 Fort Canning Arts Centre. DELICIOUS DOZEN Din Tai Fung has unveiled 12 new dishes…