Tabla de contenidos para January 2019 en Torque

PORSCHE has given its Macan SUV (sports utility vehicle) an extensive update. But looking at it from the front, you might find it hard to tell if it is the new model or the old one, despite the redesigned grille, intake apertures and headlamps, which are now LED units. It’s far easier to tell the new Macan from the old one when seeing it from the rear. The latest model sports the full-width tail-lamps that are now common across the entire Porsche range. Inside, the biggest change is the new, larger 10.9-inch infotainment display. The optional Sports steering wheel with the sport response dial that’s part of the Sport Chrono Package, is new for the Macan range. Other improvements are related to the connectivity for the Porsche Communication Management system.…

EVERYWHERE, cars are increasingly becoming electrified, and most of the big automotive marques now feature, or will soon have, fully-electric models in their line-ups. With increasing frequency, press releases are speaking of battery capacity instead of engine capacity, and of charging speeds and driving range instead of top speed and cylinder count. Even Porsche, the world’s biggest sportscar maker, is not immune to the ecoconscious winds of change (and legislation) sweeping through the industry. But instead of merely accepting the inevitable change, it has embraced it with a vengeance. And it is a slinky four-door saloon which will lead Porsche’s charge. Based on the stunning Mission E concept car which Porsche unveiled to the sound of dropped jaws in September 2015, it will be named Taycan, a word of Turkish…

“Finally, a Lexus ES that handles. This front-wheel-drive, mid-size sedan’s sharp handling should give the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class a run for their money. It is also a bargain compared to the two Germans. Lexus, however, missed the opportunity to turbocharge the 2.5 litre, 4-cylinder engine in the ES250. It’s the petrol-electric  hybrid ES300h that offers a more satisfying drive.” Sarjeet Singh “Instead of dishing out clever infotainment sets, Lexus has put its decades of know-how into making the ES one of the most refined driving machines ever.  Nothing under $250,000 comes close to matching it.” Christopher Tan “Impressively, its roominess and luxuriousness are nearly on a par with the far more expensive LS flagship limo. Lexus really should have equipped the ES with a turbocharged powertrain, though.”…

“Stylish, spacious and very safe. It will definitely appeal to suburbanites searching for a premium SUV.” Jeremy Chua “You can say Volvo has found its mojo again, but it isn’t about making safe, boxy and comfy saloons any more. Instead, it is about making chic SUVs. The XC40 is the “baby”, but it is quite masterfully designed. Living with it is no hardship at all, although its performance might be just adequate. Nevertheless, the XC40’s unique and appealing styling sets it apart from the hordes of SUVs today.” Dr Andre Lam “Available in bright colours and funky two-tone shades, the XC40 defines urban chic. Its cabin exudes a Scandinavian flair and a modern vibe. This model is certainly the most vibrant one in Volvo’s SUV range.” Lionel Seah “The XC40…

“Remember when these were everywhere? Cheap, exceptionally cheerful and with a large garnishing of spunk, they might just proliferate like rabbits all over again.” Dr Kong Yongyao “Driving this diminutive hatch always brings a smile to my face. It offers fun, fuss-free driving and reliability. Its best feature is its kart-like handling. It just seems so eager to go wherever the steering is pointed, unlike many other cars.” Dr Andre Lam “Build quality is good and it should continue to sell in numbers like its predecessors.” Sarjeet Singh “Light and punchy, this supermini is perfect for the suburbanite in a perpetual hurry. The fact that it is priced attractively is a bonus.” Jeremy Chua…

FIRING up all cylinders early on a Saturday morning wasn’t diffi cult for the Torque team, and neither was it for partner Skoda, who was keen to show what their offerings could bring to the table. The morning of Dec 8, 2018 once again brought on the familiar sight of a breakfast spread amid a buffet of car types from Skoda, a subsidiary of the VW group. Registration forms and lucky draw coupons were handed out to the participants on Saturday morning, with the first ones arriving bright and early at Skoda’s Leng Kee showroom. Skoda was making six models across their range available for test drive: the Octavia Ambition, Superb L&K, Superb Ambition Plus, Kodiaq Style, Kodiaq Ambition Plus and Rapid Spaceback Ambition. But before they could settle into…

MINI COOPER 5-DOOR 1.5 versus VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.4 versus OPEL ASTRA 1.4 IT’S a tough decision to make when you’re looking for a sensible car which can do everything. You want something practical and useful, but yet tickles your inner racing driver once you’ve (temporarily) shorn yourself of family commitments. In a perfect world, you’d have a sensible but plain car meant for the daily school run (maybe a people carrier of sorts) and another slightly impractical but fun one for punting around on the weekend. Alas, we live in the real world, and that means having to deal with really expensive car prices, parking and fuel charges in Singapore. In this round up, we prove that both fun and family can peacefully coexist in this world, as the three…

THE Mitsubishi Outlander is a car which needs no introduction to families in Singapore seeking a large, relatively affordable seven-seater. At $109,999 after dealer discounts, it’s one of the more affordable large SUVs around if you absolutely need the seating and carrying capacity but have already spent the money redecorating your BTO flat. If you had $30k less to spend, you could get the Grab driver-favourite Toyota Sienta, but its 1.5-litre, 105hp engine needs some goading, and Renault’s handsome Grand Scenic is still $6k dearer even after subsidies. For the 2019 model year, the Outlander has gotten a second Botox injection, with good results. Up front, a new twin-blade grille with honeycomb plastic insets top and bottom now forms Mitsubishi’s new “Dynamic Shield” design, which sits between two DRLequipped headlights…

ANOTHER year has come to an end, and the editorial team has picked the cars that dilated our pupils, weakened our knees and set our hearts a-flutter. The newcomers of 2018 had to earn our points, too, in our robust ballot system. Our panel of judges uses it to rate the shortlisted contenders against typical rivals and weigh their attributes against those of their peers. Said rivals would include other ST-Torque Awards finalists where applicable, such as having similar prices or competing in the same, specific market segment. On the scoresheets are the nine criteria which would be the most important to any reviewer/driver/ consumer in the wonderful world of cars – performance, handling, ride, build quality, economy/ efficiency, ergonomics, styling, value for money and the X factor. The qualifying…

“The BMW M5 is like a beast in a suit. Go easy on the throttle and it feels completely civilised and restrained like a regular 5 Series. Rip the suit off and you unleash the animal beneath the lapels and cuffs. Rather than take away the fun of rear-wheel-drive, the all-wheel-drive system actually makes the car feel more balanced and gives it more traction so that you can power off without reservation. But no amount of grip in the world is going to save you from being charmed off your feet and falling head over heels in love with it.” Lynn Tan “The king of the super saloons is back and better than before. With all-wheel-drive instead of rear-wheel-drive, it is a better car in both wet and dry conditions.…

“Handsome, well-built and practical are just some of the superlatives we can throw at it.” Sarjeet Singh “In the burgeoning world of SUVs, the Kodiaq is a revelation. Seven seats at this size and quality used cost upwards of a quarter of a million bucks, but you can now have it for $100k less! Moreover, the drive experience is not diluted in any way, and its ride comfort is even better than what you get in most other SUVs.” Dr Andre Lam “Sometimes you have to take your head out of the clouds and make a decision with good sense. Since it was launched in Singapore, the Kodiaq has been my default recommendation to anyone shopping for a family hauler. That just about sums up how unassumingly accomplished the whole…

Unlike last year’s very close finish, which saw the first- and second-place contenders separated by just two points, this year’s ST-Torque Awards was more decisive. The sizzling Kia Stinger emerged as the ST Car of the Year (COTY) 2018, with a score of 315 points. The next closest contender, the muscular Audi RS4 Avant, had 294 points to its name. The even mightier BMW M5, which was just a single point behind, finished in third. This is the first time in the history of the ST-Torque Awards that a Korean car has claimed the top spot. Of the past eight winners, four are German (Porsche in 2011, Volkswagen in 2013, BMWs in 2014 and 2015), two are British (Jaguar in 2010 and Land Rover in 2011), one is Swedish (Volvo…

PORSCHE MACAN S FROM $319,789 ON THE ROAD The Macan S has swapped out its old twin-turbo engine for a new 3-litre, V6 turbocharged power unit, now pumping out 349hp and 480Nm of torque in its latest update. There has been no reduction in power despite losing one turbo, as the new engine actually puts out 14hp and 20Nm more compared to the old model. If fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Package, the new Macan S dispatches the zero to 100km/h sprint in just 5.1 seconds, one-tenth of a second quicker than the previous model. ■ RIVAL: AUDI SQ5 DS 7 CROSSBACK PRICE ON APPLICATION As the automaker describes it, this SUV is “the embodiment of French luxury expertise and innovation”, which tells you everything about the level of…

What does a bicycle company, versatile storage and a comfortable ride have in common? The answer lies at the doorstep of Skoda, a company formed in 1895 and which today boasts a model range that caters to the needs of the modern family. Two of the automaker’s newest models – the Skoda Superb and Kodiaq sport utility vehicle (SUV) – continue Skoda’s reputation as a carmaker that offers loads of simply clever kit and practicality for not much money. With aggressive styling, Skoda’s range is unmistakable for anything else on the road. The Skoda Superb is the third generation of a line which began in 2001 and has since evolved to become a car renowned for its space, refinement and practical features, all while being competitively priced. In its current…

To paraphrase, pick a well-rounded car and you never have to buy anything else ever again. If you’re the sort who prioritises fun over family, we won’t blame you. After all, the MINI Cooper 5-Door is a rocketship that its rivals here cannot touch when it comes to driving dynamics and roadholding. But the small dimensions which make the Cooper 5-Door fun to drive also make it less practical. Its boot is the smallest, and rear seat passengers will long to reach their destination a little too eagerly (your driving notwithstanding) due to the snug cabin. But if you can look past these shortcomings and the high price tag, then this MINI will be the most fun you can have below the speed limit. When you spot the handsome Astra…

THIRTY years ago this month, I wrote my very first car review. It was for a Nissan 200SX, a sleek coupe with pop-up headlights, which still looks pretty cool today. I called Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor to enquire if there was going to be a new model to mark my three decades as a motoring journalist. The only model waiting in the wings was the second-generation electric Leaf. Rather poignant, if you think about it. The era of gas-guzzling hot rods is waning, with even thoroughbred sportscar brands unveiling plans for either electric-hybrid or full-electric models. The buzzword today is electrification. Having driven the previous Leaf, I wasn’t expecting much from the new one. The old car had an awkward, geeky styling. On the road, it had the enthusiasm…

“The Superb is superb. For less than Toyota Camry money, you get Skoda’s flagship with Teutonic build quality. It may look like a stately sedan, but it is actually a more practical fastback with a humongous boot. And with a zero to 100km/h time of seven seconds, it is relatively fast, too.” Sarjeet Singh “Shoehorn the VW Golf GTI’s engine into anything and it should be great. The proof of this is the Skoda Superb. The turbocharged 245hp motor gives the car very  satisfying levels of performance, despite the large and heavy body. Skoda engineers have given it an excellent ride without compromising too much on handling. This is a well-sorted car offering great value for money.” Dr Andre Lam “Talk about having a name to live up to. But…

“I’ve never felt this way about a hot hatch before. I want to hurt the Megane RS and hear it scream as I drive it harder, hotter and faster. I imagine the pistons slamming forcefully and ever more urgently against the cylinder walls, as the combustion process culminates in an explosive high-octane climax. But instead of crying out in pain, the car would emit moans of pleasure. What has the Megane RS done to me?” Jeremy Chua “Boasting a chassis with class-first rear-wheel steer, the RS is incredible agile, darting into turns at absurd speeds with perceptible turn-in assistance from the back axle. The acoustically-enhanced engine is mighty and sounds great, and the car just looks so right – wide, squat and intensely purposeful without resorting to overwrought wings and…

“Truly the first affordable electric car that is well-built, looks good inside and out, and comes with plenty of standard kit. Best of all, it has proven its ability to deliver the promised range on a full charge, which at around 240km, makes it a real sensible proposition for Singapore drivers.” Shreejit Changaroth “Delivering more than 200km per charge means that the average motorist will only need to charge the battery once every three days.” Sarjeet Singh “Everything about the car shouts quality. It has excellent fit and finish, and good ergonomics to boot. It almost feels Teutonic! I can’t find a better electric vehicle in the market right now.” Tony Tan…

GOING on a road trip is empowering. Perhaps it’s the element of free-spiritedness and anticipation of the adventure that lies ahead. Or, perhaps the fact that you are forced to wing it on your own on a road trip, come what may. There’s just something about road trips that make you feel you are the master of your own journey – literally and figuratively. Now, what better way to re-create that sense of empowerment than going on a road trip along the world-famous Great Ocean Road in Australia? Make that six women on the road and that sense of empowerment gets amplified. I hit the road recently with five other female journalists for a two-day drive along the Great Ocean Road. In our convoy of BMW X2 and MINI cars,…