Tabla de contenidos para July 2016 en Torque

We live in a digital age where everything and everyone is always connected. Devices such as smartphones and tablets have made communicating with one another much easier than before. However, there is still a “missing” link. In the interest of safety, we usually keep communications to a minimum while driving. The BMW Group, however, sees a future wherein your car is more than just a form of transportation – it actually plays an integral role in the Internet of Things, which in turn makes smart living possible. At CES 2016, BMW showcased an i3 that was linked to a smartphone, smart watch and Smart Home via BMW’s Open Mobility Cloud. Through the Open Mobility Cloud, users can do more than just view and edit their personal schedules. They can use…

Opel has facelifted the Zafira Tourer, the brand’s seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The restyled body makes the Zafira look sharper and more dynamic than before. It also brings the MPV’s styling in line with Opel’s current design language, first seen on the latest Astra. Sure to please drivers is the redesigned cockpit, which is prettier and more intuitive than the one in the older model. The Zafira’s overall cabin space remains unchanged, but buyers can now specify Adaptive Cruise Control and FlexRide (adaptive dampers) to further enhance this MPV’s touring abilities. Official Opel agent Auto Germany cannot confirm when the car will arrive, but when it does, it’ll have some catching up to do. The Zafira Tourer’s German rival, the new Volkswagen Touran, just hit showrooms last month.…

In its continuing effort to get children interested in automobiles, Toyota displayed the Camatte Capsule at the International Tokyo Toy Show held last month. The Capsule is a trailer with a customisable interior space. Using the tablet installed inside, kids are asked to choose one of six colour patterns and eight out of 24 items that they would want in a car trailer. The goal was to get children and their parents to spend time together talking about cars. This is the first time that a Camatte exhibit has focused on a car’s interior. The previous exhibits were all geared towards getting kids to try designing and customising car exteriors.…

Named after the Los Angeles enclave that was the centre of the beach culture back in the 1960s, the Chevelle-based Malibu was Chevrolet’s first “intermediate” vehicle in the mid-size sedan sector. When the car was introduced in 1964 as an upscale model, a gallon of gas in the US cost only 30 cents and a movie ticket cost just over a dollar. Those happy days are long gone, but the Chevy Malibu is still around – we drive the 2016 version on pg 54. AND ALSO • CITROEN C4 1.2 vs PEUGEOT 308 1.2 vs VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.2 • KIA CARENS 1.7 vs PEUGEOT 5008 1.6 • NEW VERSUS OLD – MINI COOPER CLUBMAN • FERRARI CALIFORNIA T HANDLING SPECIALE • TOYOTA FORTUNER & RAV4 • VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN…

“THE CARENS WILL PLEASE KEENER DRIVERS, WHILE THE 5008 APPEALS TO DRIVERS MORE INTERESTED IN COMFORT AND EFFICIENCY.” MOST enthusiasts dislike multipurpose vehicles (MPVs), because they usually have uninspiring designs and deliver a humdrum driving experience. The two MPVs we’ve gathered here, however, look pretty decent and are actually quite pleasant to drive. The latest Carens has more attractive styling than its forgettable predecessor. Its nicely sculpted flanks and “tiger” face (Kia’s design signature) give it greater road presence than the previous model. The Carens’ “fierce” styling makes the Peugeot 5008 seem rather meek, which is ironic, considering that the French brand’s logo is a lion. Thanks to a recent facelift, the 5008 doesn’t appear too dated, despite having been around since 2010. And it still looks unique, thanks to…

“THE “HANDLING SPECIALE” IS NOT A NEW MODEL VARIANT, BUT AN OPTIONAL ADD-ON PACKAGE.” CONVENTIONAL wisdom says that the Ferrari California is the (rich) hairdresser’s car, the marque’s “softcore” model. At least compared to other, more focussed Maranello products – the mid-engine 488 GTB, for instance, or the rabid F12. The label is understandable. Folding hard-top, 2+2 seating, front (instead of mid-mounted) engine layout and a comfort-biased suspension setup have marked the California as more cruiser than bruiser. Even the car’s very name evokes scenes of sunny boulevards instead of legendary racetracks. For owners more keen on driving than cruising, Ferrari offered a Handling Speciale (HS) package as an option on the California from 2012 onwards, until the model was revised with a major mid-term update and renamed California T.…

SSANGYONG’S new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel Tivoli is a rare gem – extremely torquey all round, completely lag-free and as breezy in Orchard Road as on the Kranji Expressway. The car’s throttle response is light and linear, with acceleration delivered consistently across a rev band that seems as wide as in a well-tuned turbo petrol engine. If not for an obvious engine chatter, you would not be able to tell the Tivoli is driven by diesel. Its vibration level is also admirably low. And because it has so much torque, 300Nm from 1500rpm, the Tivoli feels quicker than it actually is. SsangYong says it hits 100km/h in 13.3 seconds, but behind the wheel, you would swear it does it in half that time. Certainly, it has no trouble sprinting away from the…

AUDI Singapore’s largest event of the year saw more than 1200 participants putting various models through their paces over four different driving exercises. The event also served as the local launch for Audi Sport, a sub-brand comprising performance models from the carmaker’s S, RS and R8 range. The programme began with breakfast at the Audi Approved Plus showroom along Leng Kee Road. Following a short briefing, we were divided into pairs and allocated either an A4 or A6 saloon, which we drove from there to Changi Exhibition Centre. En route, we acquainted ourselves with the latest navigation and driving technologies found in the vehicles. The Audi R8 Track Experience, which marked the flagship coupe’s debut in Singapore, was the highlight of the day. Each participant in my group drove one…

Five years after the fearsome GT-R was last updated, Nissan has finally gotten around to enhancing their halo model. Nicknamed after the fictional Japanese monster, Godzilla, the GT-R is famed for its intimidating power and performance, which worries even established rivals such as the Porsche 911 Turbo. Although the latest GT-R looks similar to the pre-facelift model, the enhancements are actually quite substantial. Body-wise, the GT-R has a larger front grille for improved cooling, and a stiffer bonnet for enhanced stability at high speeds. Inside, the cockpit features a new Display Command system that’s supposedly more user-friendly than before, while the paddle-shifters are now on the steering wheel instead of the steering column. They conveniently let drivers swop cogs while turning, but enthusiasts will still refrain from doing this. Ensuring…

Ford displayed a GT40 and GT racecar made entirely from Lego at last month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The former pays homage to the GT40s that dominated Le Mans in 1966 by taking the top three spots. The latter is a replica of the car that competed in this year’s race. There’s no mention of how long it took to build the GT40, but the GT racecar, which was constructed using 40,000 Lego bricks, took a builder three weeks to assemble. These replicas are cool, but ironically, they also serve as reminders of how long it’s been since the carmaker won Le Mans. Ford’s last victory there was delivered in 1969 by Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver, in a GT40.…

“A NORMAL GP TRACK IS QUITE EASY TO LEARN WHEN YOU’RE USED TO THE NURBURGRING.” MOST people who work for a carmaker are engineers, designers, or graduates with a business degree. Daniela Schmid, however, has something more exciting than the international business degree on her resume. The 28-year-old Austrian, who is Alpina Singapore’s sales manager, is also an endurance racer who regularly competes in the annual 24 Hours Nurburgring. Interestingly, Daniela has never driven for Alpina. Instead, she drives for LMS Engineering and races an Audi TT RS. It was through motorsport that she got to know Alpina’s current boss, Andreas Bovensiepen, who once competed in the same event, too. Alpina, which was founded in 1965, is a manufacturer of high-performance vehicles based on BMW models and only produces around…

CHILDREN finally asleep, wife blissfully occupied surfing Net-a-Porter. Now for some me-time. Blip the scarlet key fob, swing the door open and clamber down into the low-set leather bucket. Feel my shoulders settle against the seat’s pronounced wings, reach out and stab the starter button on that small, switch-laden steering wheel with the prancing horse in its centre. I wince involuntarily as the bellow of the 488 GTB’s flat-plane V8 shatters the still night air, and hope that it doesn’t awaken the kids I’ve just spent the last half hour putting to bed. Onto the expressway, the ample low-rev torque of the turbocharged engine gives the 488 a long-legged stride and stunning overtaking pace. The engine note no longer morphs starkly from cultured purr to demented shriek at 4000rpm as…

THE Volkswagen Golf is the benchmark in its segment because it offers the most complete package. It may not be the most stylish continental hatchback, but it is well made, well equipped, relatively roomy and efficient – attributes that matter most to Euro-hatch buyers. Roaring at the Golf is the lion-badged Peugeot 308. Like its German rival, the 308 also has a European “Car of the Year” award (2014) under its belt. It aims to impress with its design, amenities and performance. We tested the higher-spec variant, but a simpler version (with one-inch-smaller wheels and without panoramic sunroof and satnav) is available for $5000 less. Back in Singapore’s new car market is the 308’s corporate cousin, the Citroen C4. The C4 uses the same 1.2-litre drivetrain as the 308, but…

MOST petrolheads will say that if you wanted to immerse yourself in American driving culture while you’re in the US, you should drive a ginormous pickup truck or equally huge sports utility vehicle (SUV). However, decades before SUVs became popular, most Americans drove large and mid-size saloons. A pickup truck would’ve been cool, but since I wasn’t in LA to haul construction materials, an American saloon (sedan) was a better choice. Prior to my trip, I resisted every impulse to check out the new Malibu on the Internet, for I didn’t want my impression of the car to be clouded by anything I saw or read online. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked towards the latest Malibu for the first time. Compared to the last-gen model, the latest one…

THAILAND loves pickups, especially those under one million baht and with a one-tonne payload. One of the most loved is the Toyota Hilux, a consistent bestseller in the Land of Smiles. Another popular vehicle that makes Siamese motorists smile even more is the Fortuner, an SUV derivative of the Hilux that’s like a much cheaper Thai Land Cruiser. The second-generation Fortuner arrives after the very first units of the original model, which made its Singapore debut in 2005, have reached the end of their COE lifespan. The SUV segment has changed a lot in the past decade, with crossovers now all over the place. In the local context, the parallel-import Harrier is the reigning emperor of Toyota SUVs, while Lexus has two swanky new SUVs strutting their stuff – the…

“THE LATEST TIGUAN IS SO REFINED AND WELL EQUIPPED THAT IT MIGHT EVEN WORRY THE AUDI Q3.” WHEN Volkswagen launched the first-generation Tiguan in 2007, the model was marketed as a fun-to-drive compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) with an exotic name, which is a combination of “tiger” and “iguana”. The first-gen Tiguan, however, is only exotic in name. It shares the same platform as the Golf hatchback, and its interior, while durable and functional, is unexciting. Buyers looking for a compact SUV, however, will find plenty to be excited about in the second-generation Tiguan, which arrives nine years after the debut of its popular predecessor. Like the first Tiguan, the second-gen model also utilises the Golf’s platform. But the new one has clearly moved upmarket. It is not only well-equipped,…

IF you love driving, chances are you also think you’re pretty handy behind the wheel. A good driver has keen situational awareness, quick reflexes and great car control. A gentleman driver, however, isn’t just great behind the wheel. He’s also patient and always drives with the safety of other road users in mind. Follow these useful tips and you’ll become the gentleman driver respected by guys and admired by ladies. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE Telling other drivers to hurry up by honking at them is rude. That driver taking forever to park could be a newbie or elderly person who needs a few moments more to complete the manoeuvre. Keep some distance between your vehicle and theirs to put less pressure on the other person. COOL GESTURES Aren’t you annoyed…

Peugeot has unveiled its all-new 3008, a sports utility vehicle aimed at chic suburbanites who want an alternative to the popular Volkswagen Tiguan (latest model reviewed on pg 70). Compared to its predecessor, the latest 3008 has a more resolved and attractive design. It’s also around 100kg lighter than the previous model. This crossover is roomier and more practical than before. Rear occupants have an additional 36mm of headroom and 24mm of legroom. Meanwhile, the vehicle’s luggage capacity of 520 litres (with the rear seats upright) is 100 litres greater than before. The 3008 can be specified with new safety features, such as Active Safety Brake and Distance Alert, which automatically apply the brakes when the systems detect an imminent collision. We expect the new 3008 to reach Singapore in…

Volvo stunned the motoring world 25 years ago in 1991 when it launched the 850 model. The boxy saloon not only etched its design in everyone’s minds, but also introduced several firsts for the Swedish brand. The 850 was the first Volvo powered by a transversely mounted 5-cylinder engine. It also debuted the brand’s Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and self-adjusting front seatbelts. In 1993, the 850 station wagon became available. The following year, petrolheads suddenly found Volvo exciting because of the 850 T-5R, which boasted 240bhp. Even more shocking was the fact that Volvo raced a pair of 850 estates in the 1994 British Touring Car Championship!…

IN Singapore’s premium compact hatchback class, the Audi A3 is the science teacher’s pet. Crushingly capable, but with an expression frozen in a stoic bookishness. MINI’s first-generation R55 Clubman is more like the class clown. Cute, but sometimes takes the joke too far. With its slightly lengthened wheelbase, curious single rear door and vestigial backseats, the old Clubman falls well outside the segment boundaries, being an oddity that’s a cursory nod towards the idea of motoring pragmatism. It’s for people who desperately wanted a modern MINI, but needed some way, any way, to rationalise the purchase. Now with its bones from the BMW X1, the new F54 Clubman attempts to emerge from the niche wilderness and appeal as much to your head as your heart. There is also, as I’ll…

WHEN the current-gen Lexus GS was launched about four years ago, I was immediately drawn to the model’s sharp design and its promise of a dynamic drive. The GS350, with its sweet 3.5-litre V6, remains a particular favourite of mine. The petrol-electric hybrid GS450h is pretty good, too. The least appealing model in the GS lineup back then was the entry-level GS250. Its creamy 2.5-litre V6, which produces 205bhp, isn’t short on power. But because the motor is naturally aspirated, it lacks low-end oomph. Making progress in the GS250 thus requires plenty of revs. But driving it in such a manner becomes tiring before long. Fortunately, the GS models have been facelifted, and the GS250 is no more. Taking its place is the GS200t, which is motivated by a more…

THERE are only two sports utility vehicles (SUVs) in Toyota Singapore’s model lineup – the tall and rugged Fortuner (reviewed on pg 64) and the angry-looking RAV4 seen here. “Angry” might sound like a harsh description, but it’s accurate when you consider that this model has a much sharper face than its predecessor. The front bumper is also wider and more angular than before. Together with those slimmer headlights, the RAV4 looks like it’s squinting at you when you view it head-on. You’ll feel the same when you look at the car from the rear – those new LED tail-lamps don’t look too friendly either. But this SUV reveals its true character once you get behind the driver’s seat. In contrast to its “aloof” exterior, the RAV4’s cabin is a…

“THE FRIENDLY BANTER OVER THE WALKIE-TALKIES AFFIRMED THE “CAR-MARADERIE” THAT HAD DEVELOPED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.” THE 2 Series Gran Tourer (GT) is BMW’s first seven-seater multipurpose vehicle, and the 216d variant comes with a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that drives the front wheels. To get a good feel of the popular Bimmer, I joined a bunch of 216d GT owners and prospective buyers on a driveaway to Kuala Lumpur. Even with a pre-dawn start on a Friday, our entourage had to endure a nearly three-hour traffic crawl at the Causeway. It was, after all, an Easter long weekend. Once we cleared the bottleneck, the 10 GTs were split into two groups for our convoy journey ahead, and walkie-talkies and SmartTAGs (transponders to breeze through highway toll lanes) were issued. Behind…

THERE are many modern cars with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard, but there are many more that do not have one. So, how do we monitor our car’s tyre pressures regularly without visiting a petrol station? The tyre pressure gauge (manual or digital) has served motorists well, but a fairly new development is the aftermarket tyre pressure monitoring system. As drivers, we should know the danger of tyre air leaks, which can destroy the tyre/wheel or lead to a dangerous blowout. Under-inflation is less of a danger, but it’s a money waster in terms of fuel consumption and premature tyre wear. For this group test, I found three TPMS gadgets that represent the wide selection available on the market. They are TyreSafe from local electronics firm Singtech,…

TWO months ago, I headed to Changi to experience a pair of Lamborghini supercars. But instead of taking off from the airport in an A380 and flying to a picturesque destination in the Mediterranean, I arrived at Changi Exhibition Centre raring to drive the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2. Huracan (pronounced oohrah-kan) is the Spanish word for “hurricane”. Packing 30bhp less than the Huracan LP610-4 and equipped with rear-wheel-drive instead of all-wheel-drive, the LP580-2 appeals to supercar pilots seeking a purer experience. But despite having fewer ponies, the LP580-2 is “only” 0.2 of a second slower than the LP610-4 from zero to 100km/h. With this sort of storming performance, we didn’t expect to be given the keys and told to “have fun”. Indeed, our initial experience with the Lambo was a “taxi”…