Tabla de contenidos para February 2018 en Torque

Becoming a father is a life-changing event. Everyone knows that dads make many sacrifices in order to care for their kids. Going out to the movies and meeting up with friends frequently take a backseat to childcare duties. For enthusiasts, becoming a father also means getting a more sensible car. But who says that “sensible” means mundane? If you’re an outgoing and adventurous person who’s always led an active lifestyle, then the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman has to be the car for you. As the largest model in the MINI range, the Countryman isn’t just spacious and practical. It’s extremely versatile, too. There are big storage points for a variety of knick-knacks, which for a family man, would include anything from baby wipes to stuffed toys. Child seats and…

TO say that Porsche is obsessed with clocking the fastest time on the Nurburgring is an understatement. In 2008, the carmaker was very upset after the Nissan GT-R clocked a lap time of 7 minutes and 29 seconds – three seconds quicker than the 911 GT2 then. Porsche worked feverishly to reclaim the accolade. In 2010, it beat the GT-R’s time with the previous-generation 620hp 997 GT2 RS, which did it in 7 minutes 18 seconds. “THE TREMENDOUS G-FORCE UNDER HARD ACCELERATION REALLY PINNED ME TO THE SEAT AND MADE OVERTAKING ADDICTIVE.” In 2013, Porsche set another benchmark with their hypercar, the 918 Spyder, with a lap time of 6 minutes and 57 seconds. The manufacturer felt pretty smug about that until late 2016, when Lamborghini overtook them with the…

NOW that the Phaeton is no more, there has not been a Volkswagen saloon that could take on the role of flagship. Since the end of Phaeton production, the Passat has been the top model in the VW lineup. The CC was essentially a re-bodied and more stylish Passat, and that model, too, has come to the end of its production run. So the task of carrying the VW flag has been bestowed on the new Arteon. As far as I know, the name has no meaning in any language, but the “Art” in the first syllable is meant to be of significance. No one can deny that the Arteon has been styled with artistic flair. It is undeniably attractive in profile and, in my opinion, the finest-looking coupe with…

 How do I know what engine oil is best for my car? I do not have a preferred service centre I send my car to. Usually, it is one of the petrol stations close to where I work. Do I need to tell them what oil to use? Petrol stations usually have their own oil, made by the oil companies they represent. “CHECK YOUR CAR OWNER’S MANUAL TO FIND OUT WHICH GRADE OF OIL IS RECOMMENDED.” These oils are produced to standards that satisfy motorcar manufacturers’ specifications. Check your car owner’s manual to find out which grade of oil is recommended. The petrol stations in Singapore do carry a range to cater to different types of engines. On the other hand, if you send your car to a workshop, you…

HYUNDAI IONIQ ELECTRIC $149,888 ON THE ROAD This fastback is aimed at eco-conscious motorists looking for a more affordable alternative to the BMW i3. The Ioniq Electric has a 28kWh battery and an electric motor that produces 118hp and 295Nm. It takes 30 minutes to recharge the battery using a fast charger (4 hours and 25 minutes with a standard wall socket), which will give the car a claimed maximum range of 280km. If you run out of juice, Komoco Motors will send over a “powerbank” in the form of a rescue vehicle equipped with a recharging module. RIVAL: NISSAN LEAF PORSCHE PANAMERA SPORT TURISMO FROM $438,677 ON THE ROAD Porsche’s first station wagon is more distinctive and practical than its fastback sibling. It is the first Panamera with a…

ST-TORQUE “BEST IN CLASS” WINNERS FOR 2017 STRAITS TIMES CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 Lexus LC500 BEST COMPACT SUV Audi Q2 BEST EXECUTIVE SALOON BMW 5 Series BEST FLAGSHIP SALOON Porsche Panamera BEST FAMILY SALOON Renault Megane Sedan BEST SEVEN-SEATER MPV Renault Grand Scenic BEST SEVEN-SEATER SUV Mazda CX-9 BEST FAMILY CROSSOVER Peugeot 3008 BEST FAMILY SUV Volkswagen Tiguan BEST PREMIUM SUV Volvo XC60 Torque , Singapore’s leading motoring monthly, presented trophies to the 10 “Best in Class” winners at the ST-Torque Awards 2017, including the coveted Straits Times Car of the Year 2017 award, which went to the Lexus LC500. For the seventh year running, Torque partnered with The Straits Times (ST) to select the best…

LAUNCHED in 2003, the first-generation BMW X3 was probably the original mid-size luxury crossover. Since then, it has sold over 1.5 million units. Other premium automakers have joined the fray with their own contenders. Competing with the X3 are the Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60. If size matters, then this third-generation X3 certainly cuts an imposing presence, for it is even bigger than the original X5. Calvin Luk, who penned the new X3’s exterior, explained that the SUV’s stance is designed to resemble that of a hunky rugby player. “DESPITE THE X3’S LARGER SIZE, ITS HANDLING IS STILL FLUID, WITH THE REAR-BIASED ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE PROVIDING PLENTY OF GRIP.” Indeed, the X3 has chunkier kidney grilles to emphasise its bold new look. These are flanked by hexagonally shaped LED headlamps…

THE contrast between the two SUVs we’ve gathered here is a stark one, indeed. On one side, we have the GLA-Class, Mercedes’ most popular and least expensive SUV. On the other side, we have the G-Class, one of the carmaker’s priciest SUVs. Apart from being almost 2 metres tall (the GLA is under 1.5m), the G-Class also stands out because it is a much rarer sight on our roads than the GLA. I see GLAs every day, but the last time I saw a G-Class was when I test-drove the G350d last year. In animal terms, the GLA is as common as a stray cat, while the G-Class is as elusive as a snow leopard. Like a friendly neighbourhood kitty, the GLA is likeable and approachable. Its design – an…

AH, the honeymoon. The time when husband and wife go abroad after their busy wedding day to finally spend some time with each other as a married couple. I’m not sure if it’s a custom in every part of the world, but for me, I saw it as an opportunity to finally do a proper road trip with my life partner. It has always been a dream for me, but having chosen a hard-riding Renault Megane RS 265 Cup rental car, I could only sheepishly hope that my wife would see it the same way. Imagine what a treat it was, then, when Rolls-Royce’s PR team, having heard that we’ll be in Australia, gave me a ring and said they could loan us a Rolls-Royce Dawn for a day or…

THIRTY years ago, a car with a 1-litre engine was an affordable little runabout with tiny performance. Three decades on, a 1-litre car is far from being just a weedy runabout. Thanks to turbocharging, today’s single-litre engines are powerful enough to drive everything from hatchbacks to crossovers. The oldest of the three contenders is the Ford Focus, which was introduced in 2011. But thanks to a timely update, which gave it a bolder exterior and enhanced cabin, the Focus still isn’t showing its age. Its biggest improvement is its new turbocharged 1-litre 3-pot motor, which is punchier than the naturally aspirated 1.6-litre 4-cylinder it replaces. Hoping for continued success in this segment is the Volkswagen Golf. Like its rivals, it also boasts enhancements to its exterior (albeit subtle ones), and…

THE Koreans are attacking. No, I’m not talking about warheads being randomly fired into the Pacific by a dictator with a bowl haircut. Rather, this threat is from South Korea, and while the weapon of choice, the Stinger, is named after a missile, its target is German, not American. More specifically, Korean car company Kia is on the offensive, and it has BMW in its sights. Because a front-engined, rear-driven sports saloon is clear BMW territory, and it is this very formula that Kia has chosen for its new contender. The Stinger isn’t Kia’s first rear-drive saloon. The big K9 luxury car (not sold in Singapore) has been there, done that, but the Stinger is certainly the Korean marque’s sportiest offering to date, in terms of both looks and dynamics.…

The Asus Rog Strix GL702ZC wasn’t just built for fun. As the first gaming laptop with the new AMD Ryzen 7 processor, and equipped with an AMD Radeon RX580 graphics card with 4GB VRAM, it can also handle photo and video editing. But with a 17.3-inch screen and weighing 3.2kg, its only downside is that it isn’t exactly portable. $POA Eco-conscious drivers who want an “efficient” smartphone can check out the Nokia 2. Thanks to its 4100mAh battery, it can supposedly go two days between charges. Efficiency aside, the Nokia 2 is also quite sturdy. With an aluminium unibody and Corning Gorilla Glass, it should be able to easily withstand the rigours of daily use. $159 Petrolheads who want an even more immersive racing sim experience may wish to consider…

Families looking to hold their reunion dinner in a more laid-back setting can consider Cassia in Capella Singapore. Try the Cassia Signature Lou Hei (right), which includes ingredients such as lobster and North Pole Clam. Follow that up by choosing from one of four Lunar New Year set menus, whose prices start at $88++ per person. Diners who want to jazz up their reunion dinner at home could consider Golden Peony’s Fu Lu Shou Yu Sheng (left). Available in small ($128) and large ($228) orders, the dish’s ingredients include lobster, abalone and salmon. Also available are the Auspicious Treasure ($288) and Prosperity Treasure ($488) set meals, which are each good for six people. Golden Peony is located at Conrad Centennial Singapore. Couples who want to celebrate Lunar New Year and…