Índex per January 2017 a Torque

SPECIAL FERRARI Singapore and Japan have their SJ50 – the 50th anniversary (1966-2016) of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. Now, Japan has the J50 – a commemorative Ferrari model to mark the 50th anniversary of the Italian supercar marque in the country. Only 10 units of the J50 will be built. Based on the 488 Spider, the bespoke roadster has special targa styling with inspiration from Ferrari’s 1950s competition barchettas (the “helmet visor effect” window graphic) and Ferrari’s iconic GTO, F40 and F50 (the raked black swage line). Other bodywork changes include raised fender crests, a rear diffuser shaped to look like jet engine afterburners, and a transparent polycarbonate cover for the mid-mounted V8. The turbocharged 3.9-litre powerplant has been tuned to develop 690bhp – 20bhp more than in the…

Mention the terms “SUV” and “sports utility vehicle” to most drivers and they’ll immediately begin imagining brawny off-roaders with chunky tyres. Images of muddy landscapes will come to mind as well. But ask any driver to describe the first model that comes to mind when you say “high-performance SUV”, and you can be sure that he will mention the Cayenne – even if he’s never driven one before. Some will say that the Cayenne’s popularity is because of its Porsche badge. Others will opine that it is down to the model’s sportiness and off-roading abilities. But what really leaves the Cayenne etched in the minds of so many is the fact that no other SUV successfully combines performance, practicality, off-roading and tarmac-shredding abilities into one great-looking package. The Cayenne’s roadholding…

HUMAN limits are pushed further during the Olympic Games. In Rio last year, 27 world records and 91 Olympic records were set. Some records were smashed by fractions of a second. Hometown hero Joseph Schooling, for instance, beat the previous Olympic record for the 100m butterfly by 0.19 of a second. Just like Olympic athletes, cars also advance with each succeeding generation, either incrementally or significantly. The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class belongs in the latter camp, for it is a huge leap over its predecessor. Its design, for one, is a sharp improvement from the previous model. To me, it is best viewed from the side, as the coupe-like roofline gives the saloon a more sculpted profile than its predecessor. However, unlike the older car, the current one’s styling is no…

CLASSIC cars fascinate me because unlike new cars, old cars have histories. They each have a story to tell, and sitting inside one is probably as close as you’ll get to being in a time machine. In my case, I travelled 33 years back in time when I got behind the wheel of a first-generation BMW 7 Series, codenamed E23. This particular model, a 1983 745i, is a lot smaller than its modern counterpart, the 2016 750Li, codenamed G11. In fact, an F10 5 Series is actually larger than an E23. Although the 745i looks dated and boxy, there’s something to be said about its simple and clean lines. I also like its “face”, which seems to have a friendlier expression compared to the sleeker and more aggressive-looking 750Li. The…

1_Delight your diners by serving them a Mediterranean feast on Lapis & Gold Aegean dinner plates, which are created from Limoges porcelain and feature 24-carat gold accents. Available at Asiatique Collections. From $200 2_Add a retro vibe to your living room with this Old Indian Chest, which is constructed from old doors and windows. Available at Woody Antique House. $POA 3_Table tops are usually made from wood, glass or metal, but you’ll wow your visitors with one of these Unique Tables, whose tops are made from pen shells. Available at Asiatique Collections. $POA 4_Give your home a rustic feel with the Kisimi Ice side tables from Bleu Nature. These eco-friendly pieces, which feature driftwood branches housed in an acrylic body, are available at Curio Home. $POA 5_Your guests will have…

Mention the term “hybrid” and chances are people will think of the Toyota Prius. As the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid, the Prius is an established name in the automotive world. By bringing hybrid technology to the forefront, the Prius cemented its reputation for outstanding efficiency and ground-breaking technology. Key to the Toyota Prius’ success is its Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which combines a highly efficient petrol engine with a powerful electric motor. These work in tandem to deliver class-leading fuel efficiency and low emissions, making the Prius the car that will meet the needs of our increasingly environmentally conscious world. At lower speeds, the Prius emits zero emissions when it is solely driven by the electric motor. When extra power is needed, the petrol engine starts up to assist,…

BOTH Kia and Hyundai are hoping to capture a big slice of the family saloon segment with their recently updated Cerato Forte K3 and all-new Elantra respectively. Kia and Hyundai are sister companies, so these models are closely related “cousins”. Both cars’ wheelbases, for instance, are 2700mm long. The Cerato and Elantra also use the same 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engines, with nearly identical outputs that deliver similar levels of performance and efficiency. Both models, however, look nothing alike. The Elantra, with its imposing chrome grille and sharply raked headlights, is sleeker and more aggressive. The Cerato seems more conservative, despite its fierce-sounding “Tiger Nose” grille and wider headlights. The Elantra has a classier interior, with a sharp, cliff-like dashboard featuring plenty of high-quality plastics, along with matte black and “frosted” metal…

A Straits Times Car of the Year has to be exceptional. It has to raise the bar, change the game, push the envelope. It has to feel extraordinary and accessible all at once. And it has to stand out from its peers, and ahead of the pack in general. The 2016 winner is all that and more. In fact, the new Volvo S90 made a strong impression the moment it was unveiled in December 2015. It came across as a regal sedan – understated and yet full of presence. When the team drove it, we were bowled over by the car’s fine build quality, exquisite interior and intoxicating performance. The S90 exceeded expectations in the ride and handling department, too. It was a joy to behold at the wheel –…

THE Motul Driving Experience 2016 in Sepang, Malaysia, was an event organised by the French lubricants company as a reward for its customers. It also showcased the company’s expertise in motorsports. As the staff strapped me into the tight cockpit of a Formula 4 racecar, I thought: “I’ve got this. This will be fun.” Then the engine started with a roar, and as I tried to pull away, it sputtered. I had stalled right in front of everyone else in the pit garage waiting their turn. The car had to be restarted, and I was reminded to let the clutch out gently while applying more throttle. Misjudge it and the car will come to a shuddering halt, as I’d just demonstrated. This event was the first that Motul had independently…

“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). EMO MOTO COLIN CHOO On a personal level, I feel that most car reviews are a tad lacking in emotions. Cars are emotive creatures, so aside from facts, there are emotional responses to them. I’m sure your contributors, being petrolheads, are also emo about cars, so perhaps they can reveal some of their inner feelings about the cars they review? But to be honest, I don’t buy the mag every month, so I could have missed the emo drive stories in Torque , ha ha. As a disclaimer, I may not be representative of your usual readership. When I need inspiration at work, I listen to engines wringing…

As a leader in automotive engineering and innovation, Honda has a solid track record for producing some of the finest cars in the world, and their latest Civic and Legend models are proof of this. The tenth-generation Civic has a bold new design that turns heads wherever it goes. Boasting distinctive lines, curves and a sporty stance, the latest Civic is truly captivating. Design aside, the Civic offers greater overall space for passengers, with exceptional comfort and quality, too. Beneath its sheet metal, the Civic delivers maximum driving enjoyment with its outstanding handling qualities. And with a new turbocharged 1.5-litre VTEC engine, the latest Civic catapults drivers to new levels of performance. Sure to delight drivers, too, is the Legend. As Honda’s flagship saloon, it lives up to the brand’s…

AT cocktails, the question motoring journos get asked the most by strangers who have just been told our vocation, is “What’s your favourite car?”. Which is actually quite a tough one. Because what tickles your fancy at one moment may not be quite so appealing at another. The gorgeous, lightweight Lotus Elise that’s a dream to drive, roof off, on a deserted B-road, is an entirely different beast to use in rush-hour traffic on your way to work. I should know – I used an Elise as my daily drive for over two years and cursed its poor visibility, lack of stowage space and weak air-con on almost every one of those days. I know that most of these interrogators are just making small talk and would rather be chatting…

TWENTY years ago, switching from a saloon or hatchback to a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) meant that your motoring life was going to be dull for the next decade. Back then, MPVs looked staid and handled like buses. However, buying a brand-new MPV today no longer means having to make an unexciting choice. Modern MPVs have attractive designs and punchy powertrains, and handle more like oversized hatchbacks. When they’re not fully loaded, some of them can actually be fun to drive. The hippest MPV in this story is the Toyota Sienta, whose design was inspired by a running shoe. Apart from its slick styling, the Sienta also promises to be roomy enough for a family of seven and their belongings. Out to attract petrolhead parents is the Honda Mobilio, which comes…

“ALL-NEW FROM THE GROUND UP, THE PANAMERA HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A REAL HEAD-TURNER.” PORSCHE’S four-door luxury fastback, the Panamera, was a qualified success, at least in the US and the massive China market. The car’s sporting credentials were second to none. Where it possibly fell short was in its polarising styling. The original Panamera’s bulbous curves and humpback rump made it the “ugly duckling” in the Porsche lineup. Its appeal would have been more universal if it had a sexier body. The second-generation Panamera clearly addresses the earlier shortcomings, whilst building on the strengths of its predecessor. The newcomer has received improvements to its exterior and interior; upgrades to its chassis, engine and drivetrain; plus digitised displays and touch-controls to future-proof the flagship. All-new from the ground up, the…

THIS first question-and-answer article in our newly introduced Torque Shop series for 2017 is about troubleshooting old cars, which tend to develop problems as they get closer to the end of their COE and clock ever higher mileage. My car has done 135,000 kilometres. Recently, I noticed a vibration from the steering and floorboard, especially when I accelerate. What could this be and should I be concerned? Since you have clocked 135,000km, you might want to replace your car’s engine and gearbox mountings, plus all the suspension bushes. Worn/broken mountings and suspension bushes accentuate vibrations in the front. Another plausible cause of the vibration would be worn driveshafts, if your car is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Driveshafts last a long time, but if their protective boot is torn, dirt and grime…

OPEL MOKKA X $126,888 ON THE ROAD Four years after it debuted, the German brand’s popular crossover is finally in Singapore. Recently updated, the Mokka X now looks sharper than before, and comes with snazzier paint options such as Amber Orange to appeal to younger drivers. The sole variant available has a front-wheel-drive layout, and is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel producing 136bhp and a stout 320Nm. RIVAL: MAZDA CX-3 KIA NIRO PRICE ON APPLICATION Dubbed as a “Hybrid Utility Vehicle”, this petrol-electric hybrid crossover shares the same platform as the Ioniq fastback from sister company Hyundai, but has a more spacious interior. The Niro’s hybrid powertrain, which is identical to the Ioniq’s, supposedly returns an average fuel economy of 26.3km per litre. RIVAL: TOYOTA PRIUS TOYOTA PREVIA AERAS $176,888…