But that’s exactly how the very first Auto Selection Breakfast Drive unfolded, also known as the All Access to Joy: Breakfast Drive Edition.

Organised by Auto Selection, a Sime Motors company known for accessible and well-priced pre-owned cars, this was a celebration of customers, community, and the simple joy of being on the open road.

A Morning Worth Waking Up For

The day began at Auto Selection East Coast. The car park was already buzzing with a bevvy of BMWs, iX3s, X3S, a 2 Series Gran Coupé, and even an i8. Not a showroom-only lineup, but real cars owned by real customers. Anyone with a BMW and a sense of adventure was welcome.

Coffee was poured, names were exchanged, and engines warmed up. By 5.30 am, the convoy was on the move, heading into Malaysia. B-roads, highways, gentle sunrise light, the kind of drive that reminds you why we love cars in the first place.

A quick stop at Petronas Gelang Patah gave everyone time to stretch and chat before continuing to Layang Layang for wantan mee breakfast at Guan Fatt.

Even Christopher Chin, Managing Director of Auto Selection, was right there with everyone, not watching from the sidelines, but sitting with different groups, checking in on guests, and making sure everyone felt included.

People First, Always

What made the event feel different was its personal nature. Chris did not just flag off the convoy; he joined breakfast tables, moved around at lunch, chatted with families, and made sure no group was left out.

A few Sales Executives also joined the trip, a thoughtful gesture that showed Auto Selection still values relationships between SEs and customers, even after a car has been sold; that connection remains.

Convoy, Kampung Roads, and Snacks

After breakfast, the group visited a nearby pepper farm. There was shopping, laughter over walkie-talkies, and even a grandma riding along with her family. One of the kids even bravely held a durian, a photo that perfectly captured the spirit of the trip. It was a reminder that these drives are truly for everyone, regardless of age.

By lunchtime, the convoy arrived at Restaurant Loon Sing at Sunway Iskandar’s Big Box. Chris once again moved from table to table, greeting everyone personally. Just when you thought the morning could not get any warmer, the Auto Selection team brought out birthday cakes for guests who were celebrating their special day. Smiles, claps, candles.

More Than Just a Drive

This Breakfast Drive was the first-ever convoy organised for used car customers. And that matters. It showed that PML and Auto Selection are not just focused on new car owners. They want pre-owned customers to feel just as included, valued, and proud to be part of the BMW family.

Any customer with a valid BMW can join future drives. No VIP-only lists. No special treatment. Just shared enjoyment, good roads, and good people.

About Auto Selection

As the only authorised Certified Pre-owned BMW dealership under the worldwide BMW Premium Selection (BPS) programme in Singapore, Auto Selection carries the widest range of Certified Pre-owned BMW cars and Pre-owned BMW.

To ensure quality and roadworthiness for future customers, only BMW cars that are less than 5 years old, with mileage under 120,000 kilometres, are eligible for the BPS programme. Each vehicle undergoes a rigorous pre-sale inspection to ensure safety, quality, and peace of mind.

Auto Selection understands the importance of trust and remains committed to delivering excellent service, long after the car leaves the showroom. Because joy should not only come with a new car, it should come standard with every car.

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Sepang International Circuit isn’t exactly your average weekend hangout spot, unless you’re the sort who enjoys the sound of V10s echoing off the grandstands and the smell of roasted rubber in the air.

I was there for Round 5 of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series, soaking in the spectacle of purpose-built race cars slashing through apexes with all the subtlety of a chainsaw in a violin quartet.

But, as exhilarating as the track battles were, the real surprise came in the form of an electrified beast waiting quietly in the wings, the Lamborghini Urus SE. And unlike most luxury SUVs that spend their lives parked outside cafes, this one was about to get properly dirty.

Over the course of a day that would’ve made most supercar owners wince, we wrung the Urus SE through three curated challenges.

Welcome to the Mind-Bending World of the Urus SE

From the outside, the Urus SE still looks like a Lamborghini should: aggressive, chiselled, and vaguely unhinged.

Beneath the familiar silhouette lies a new heartbeat: a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 paired with an electric motor, giving you a grand total of 789 bhp and 946 Nm of torque. That’s enough to slingshot this Super SUV from 0–100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, which is approximately the time it takes you to blink twice and regret not bracing harder.

But power is only half the story. This is a Lamborghini with multiple personalities, courtesy of a labyrinthine drive mode system that would confuse even Maverick from Top Gun. One controller gives you six terrain and road modes: Strada, Sport, Corsa for road; Sabbia (sand), Terra (gravel), and Neve (snow) for off-road. A second controller lets you toggle between EV, Hybrid, Performance, and Recharge modes.

Switching between them isn’t instantaneous; you have to cycle through each like a confused barista looking for the oat milk setting on an espresso machine. But once you find the right combination, the Urus SE transforms with alarming clarity.

Skid Control with Supercar Drama

The skidpan was our first dance, and what a chaotic ballet it was. Most SUVs on a low-grip surface either plough straight or spin like an office chair on a tile floor. Not this one.

In Terra mode, the Urus SE surprised us with how easily it held a slide, helped by its new electronically controlled clutch and torque vectoring system. With the ESC off, the algorithms didn’t hesitate to think: “Ah, drift time.” You could initiate with a Scandinavian flick and exit sideways in a manner that would make Walter Röhrl smirk.

It’s uncanny. You’re reminded constantly that this thing weighs over two tonnes, and yet, it dances. The steering is responsive, the body control taut, and the 48V anti-roll system helps it feel smaller than it really is. Most cars give you a warning before they let go, this one gives you a wink and tells you to go harder.

Off the Paved Path and Into Terra

Next up was the sand and gravel course, a short but challenging loop designed to test the Urus SE’s off-road credibility. With Terra mode engaged, the car took on an entirely different character.

The throttle response became more measured, suspension softened just enough to soak up ruts, and the AWD system sent torque to wherever traction could be found. It clawed its way up steep inclines, bounded over undulations, and kept composure through uneven terrain.

Let’s be honest: very few owners will ever take their Urus off-road. But it’s nice to know that if you ever find yourself late for a Michelin-starred dinner in the Moroccan desert, the SE won’t let you down.

Sepang Hot Laps: Supercar Credentials, Confirmed

We concluded the exciting day with hot laps around Sepang. Here, the Urus SE was finally allowed to stretch its legs, and stretch it did.

In Corsa mode, everything sharpens. The throttle becomes twitchier, gear changes from the 8-speed ’box come with a satisfying thump, and the V8 roars with an unmistakable Italian snarl, even as the electric motor subtly fills in the gaps. The brakes (440mm carbon ceramics up front) bit hard and clean. Even regen is managed well, never feeling intrusive.

Four-wheel steering helps you carve into corners more confidently, and the bespoke Pirelli P Zero rubber grips with purpose. Despite its girth, the Urus SE never felt out of depth. It was composed. A true Lamborghini, just… taller.

Have Your Gelato and Eat It Too

The Lamborghini Urus SE is a revelation. It proves that electrification doesn’t have to mean sanitisation. Instead, it adds another layer of personality to an already charismatic machine.

Whether you’re power-sliding on a skidpan, bouncing through a gravel path, or hurtling down the main straight of Sepang at warp speed, the Urus SE delivers on every front. It’s a Swiss Army knife wrapped in raging bull skin.

And if this is Lamborghini’s future with electrification, consider us thoroughly charged up.

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You don’t need to be an engineer. You don’t need to know what a crankshaft does. You don’t even need to have oil running through your veins. Step into the Audi Museum in Ingolstadt, Germany, and you’ll still find yourself wide-eyed, possibly muttering “Whoa…” under your breath as the doors close behind you and the future and past of motoring unfold in sync like a well-orchestrated gearbox.

At the heart of the sprawling Audi Forum, Audi’s global headquarters and temple of Teutonic excellence, is this four-storey marvel of steel, glass, and soul.

Opened in December 2000, the museum was built not just to preserve history, but to present it in motion.

Quite literally, too. You’ll find cars travelling vertically up and down the atrium on what looks like a mechanical escalator from an alternate timeline. A paternoster lift, the kind of thing you’d expect to see in a futuristic remake of Back to the Future.

Now, before you get swept up in nostalgia, look up. Designed by German architect Gunter Henn, the museum’s architecture is like a giant turbine caught in glass, symbolising mobility, transparency, and growth.

Even the sun doesn’t sit still here. A circular sun-shading system follows the light’s movement throughout the day, constantly shifting the way sunlight plays across the museum’s walls and the polished chrome of the exhibits.

Start at the top and meander downwards like you’re uncoiling time itself. Every level tells a different chapter.

The progression is seamless, the storytelling deliberate, and the transitions from the wooden wheels of the early 20th century to the wind-cheating silhouettes of tomorrow utterly spellbinding.

The illustrations showcase how Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer (the four brands immortalised in Audi’s four-ring logo) reunite under one roof to celebrate more than 120 years of automotive ambition.

Each vehicle whispers tales of its time, whether it’s a rudimentary machine stitched in wood and leather or a low-slung concept car that looks ready to launch into space.

Beyond the spectacle of sheet metal and rubber lies the mechanical magic. For those who like to get under the skin of things, there are cutaway models and drivetrains on display, laid bare like the anatomy of a mechanical beast.

Here, you’ll see how gears mesh, how pistons dance, how innovation breathes life into aluminium.

Unlike some museums that drown you in placards and paragraphs, Audi’s curation feels instinctive, like flipping through a coffee table book with pop-out pages.

And when your legs start complaining from all that looping around the atrium, pop into the gift shop tucked within the building. It’s the kind of place where grown adults buy 1:43 scale models with the same intensity as kids choosing candy.

In Ingolstadt, history doesn’t sit in silence. It hums, it rolls, it glides. And it invites you along for the ride.

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I’ve done the northbound road trip to Malaysia more times than I care to admit, sometimes for the scenery, sometimes for the satay, and almost always with the silent mission to “beat the GPS estimate”.

But this particular trip was different. This Audi-led drive wasn’t about making good time. It was about making good kilometres, a fuel efficiency challenge stretching from Singapore to Ipoh, and looping back to Kuala Lumpur.

No gimmicks. Just one car, one tank, and a surprisingly competitive bunch of automotive journalists with too much pride and too little sleep.

Flag-Off at Dawn and the Battle of the A/C

We began, as all sensible efficiency drives do, at an ungodly 5am, flagged off at Shell Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim. My co-driver for this journey was James from Oneshift, armed with caffeine, caution, and the quiet hope that the air-conditioning would stay on.

Fortunately for him (and our friendship), I was determined to keep it on as well; low fan speed, Eco mode, windows up.

Our competitors? Far braver. Or madder. They have opted to go the entire way without A/C. Windows up. Cabin sealed. The car effectively became a convection oven with leather upholstery.

Major respect, though I’m fairly certain at least one member emerged from their car medium-rare afterwards.

We, on the other hand, kept things civilised. Tyres inflated to near bursting, trip computer reset, pep talk given.

We figured we needed our belongings for check-in, too, so no unnecessary luggage or cabin dumping was conducted. Just good, honest efficiency.

Meet the Machine

The car we were preparing to set off in was the Audi A3 1.5 TFSI. Showroom stock and untouched, save for a full tank of fuel. Its secret weapon was a refined mild hybrid system, a clever coasting mode, and an uncanny ability to sip fuel like a polite guest at a wedding tea ceremony.

From the get-go, the A3 impressed. Even without engaging the Efficiency mode, it was eager to slip into coasting, the revs dropping like a well-timed mic. Within the first hour, we were already seeing fuel figures north of 20km/litre.

Acceleration was measured. Braking, minimal. Speeds hovered around 70–80km/h, torturous in a country where 110km/h is legal and tempting. But in the pursuit of consumption glory, restraint is the real flex.

Snacks, Sun, and Surprises

To keep our spirits up, we turned to a predictable playlist of cheesy pop hits and suspiciously preserved snacks. James even rewarded himself with a Ramly burger, half for sustenance, half for morale. Stopping was rare; momentum was precious.

Even with the sun climbing and temperatures rising, the A3 soldiered on without complaint. Eco mode air-conditioning set at 26 degrees kept us cool enough, and more importantly, it didn’t seem to punish us fuel-wise. Quite the opposite, in fact. The further we went, the better our consumption got.

Credit where due, Audi’s mild hybrid system is leagues smoother than its predecessor. Engine stop-starts were barely perceptible, and noise levels stayed muted throughout.

Up North to Ipoh

The journey towards Kuala Lumpur was relatively smooth, but as soon as we hit the big capital of Malaysia, our efficiency took a hit thanks to traffic congestion. It was tempting to weave through traffic, but keeping our dainty little A3 behind larger vehicles was always going to be better for efficiency.

After tackling suburban sprawl, expressway monotony, and the barrage of impatient lorry drivers wondering why we were the slowest moving thing that morning, we approached Ipoh after almost 9 hours of driving, fatigued, famished, but proud. The GPS said we’d arrive early. It lied.

Turns out, when you’re trundling along well below the posted limit, that ETA shrinks faster than your enthusiasm in a jam. We rolled in with 15 minutes to spare.

Just enough time to marvel at the ingenious optimisations our rival team had done to their car; they taped their A3 to within an inch of its life in a bid to reduce drag.

The Plot Twist

Ah, but the journey wasn’t done. You see, this was a tag-team challenge. From Ipoh to St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, our teammates who first took the Audi A5 (used in a concurrent photography challenge) took over the A3, while we, blessedly, took over their air-conditioned lounge for photography duties.

Did our teammates stop for a break as scheduled? No. Rather, instead of heading straight to the pre-determined lunch spot, they instead opted to head straight for the final meeting point at the hotel, and doubled back for food in the A5 after we picked them up.

Why? Because why waste fuel when the competition’s this tight?

So, Who Won?

Let’s be real – our stock, weighted, and air-conditioned A3 was never going to win the other team, and they deserve every inch of victory for braving the sweltering heat in their makeshift aerodynamic sauna.

The question now is, how close were the two teams?

Here’s where it gets interesting. After more than 750 kilometres of driving with luggage, functioning air-conditioning, and two moderately sleep-deprived adults onboard, our A3 returned 26.689km/litre.

The winning team, in their minimalist, A/C-free chariot of sweat and sheer willpower? 27.645km/litre. That’s a difference of just under 1km/litre.

Was the heat worth it for the other team? Absolutely, they walked home with a stack of vouchers and smiles, and you’ve got to hand it to them for going through the“torture”.

But, for all the efforts to strip weight and endure tropical self-basting, we came within touching distance using… creature comforts, which proves an interesting point. Modern cars like the Audi A3 are absurdly efficient by default. You don’t need to turn your car into a wind tunnel or sacrifice sanity to go the distance.

The A3 was composed, capable, and criminally efficient, even under real-world, real-human conditions. It proved that range doesn’t have to come at the expense of ride, refinement, or the divine blessing that is air-conditioning.

Photo Credits: Al Han (@sgcarshooter)

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Audi Singapore’s recent fuel efficiency challenge had us doing just that, with an A3 for the economy run and, more interestingly, an A5 Sportback as our visual wingman for a photo challenge themed “Jekyll and Hyde”.

The theme was cleverly chosen to represent the A5’s split personality, and over 700 kilometres of Malaysian highways, spirited B-roads and early-morning photo shoots, we found that the A5 wears both personas, calm cruiser and confident coupe, with surprising grace.

But before we dive into the Jekyll-and-Hyde theatrics, let’s unpack exactly what this “new” A5 is.

Wait, Isn’t This the New A4?

Yes and no. Audi’s new naming strategy is that odd-numbered models will be combustion-engined, and even-numbered models will be electric. Which means the A4 you knew is now the A5, and the next A4 will be electric. Got it?

The result is a Sportback that straddles traditional lines; it’s a saloon with coupe styling and a hatchback boot. Audi calls it “a completely new sedan concept”. We call it quite clever. Coupe flair without sacrificing practicality? That’s the kind of mischief we like.

Jekyll – The Calm, Composed Companion

On our journey north to Ipoh, “Jekyll” mode reigned. With our teammates, the A5 glided up the North-South highway with the serenity of a far more expensive car. The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol is a smooth operator, with a decent swell of power (201bhp and 340Nm) that makes overtaking relaxed and fuss-free. You’re not pinned to your seat, but you’re never left wanting, either.

What impressed most was the refinement. Audi has clearly prioritised comfort; the suspension ironed out patchy tarmac with barely a murmur, and road noise was impressively low, even on Malaysia’s coarse surfaces.

In this context, the Audi A5 felt every bit the premium cruiser it claims to be. Easygoing, planted, and blessed with that sense of Audi calm that makes long distances disappear with a shrug.

The premium theme continues in our humble abode over the course of the road trip, feeling exactly as an Audi should — restrained, refined, and quietly tech-forward. Materials are well-chosen, with plush touchpoints and just enough gloss black to make it feel special.

We appreciated the dedicated strip for climate control, sparing us from diving through submenus just to adjust fan speed. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the wireless charger even comes with a cooling fan, a thoughtful touch that prevents our phones from turning into a molten slab mid-drive.

Rear space is adequate, though not class-leading. Legroom’s fine unless you’re tall and relegated to the back, and the sloping roofline means headroom is a touch tight. Thankfully, the rear seats only had to accommodate luggage for most of the trip.

That said, with 445 litres of boot space and folding rear seats, the A5 is more practical than its silhouette suggests.

Hyde – When the Audi A5 Cuts Loose

Our return leg from Ipoh to KL gave us the chance to let “Hyde” out. The Audi A5 may not be a scalpel like a BMW 3 Series or a tail-happy Alfa Romeo Giulia, but show it a curving road and it responds with admirable composure.

The steering is light and precise, if not dripping with feel, and the chassis while not overtly playful is well-balanced and confident. The A5 doesn’t egg you on like some rivals do, but it doesn’t punish enthusiasm either. It’s the kind of car that makes you look good behind the wheel, even if you’re just out for a spirited Sunday blast.

On this leg, the A5 was quick enough to make light work of overtakes and highway merges. Although the engine does give way a little at the top end, importantly, it never feels too strained.

The A5 was best enjoyed at night, when a late photography shoot turned into a friendly dogfight on Kuala Lumpur’s streets. Power delivery was so smooth, you sometimes forget this is a front-wheel drive variant, and not one of the Quattro models Audi is famous for.

And when the heat was too much, we could dart back into traffic and blend in. Out of sight, out of mind.

Two Sides of a Very Polished Coin

Audi’s new A5 might be a nameplate shuffle, but the substance beneath is as solid as ever. In Jekyll mode, it’s a serene highway cruiser that eats up the miles without breaking a sweat. In Hyde mode, it shows enough spirit to keep a keen driver engaged, even if it stops short of being truly thrilling.

But as a complete package? It nails the brief.

It’s handsome, composed, filled with tech, and interesting enough to stand out from the crowd, especially when painted in a dramatic hue and shot under moody skies somewhere in Malaysia.

Photo Credits: Al Han (@sgcarshooter)

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BYD has had a stoic past, coming from a modest battery manufacturer established in 1995 to a leading global innovator in electric mobility and sustainable technology.

This museum occupies BYD’s original headquarters, which served as the company’s operational base from 1995 to 2000. Comprising two restored eight-story buildings spanning more than 9,400 square metres, the facility reflects the early spirit of the enterprise while embracing a modern and immersive approach to storytelling.

Its location and architecture symbolically represent BYD’s journey, one rooted in humble beginnings yet resolutely focused on the future.

Building 6 presents a detailed account of the company’s formative years, including its early research and development breakthroughs in the Tongle Industrial Park. Visitors are introduced to a company driven by technical mastery and relentless self-reliance.

The displays highlight BYD’s early decision to vertically integrate operations, giving the company strategic control over key technologies such as microchips, electric drivetrains, and battery systems, an approach that continues to set BYD apart in a competitive global landscape.

Building 7 offers a broader perspective of the brand’s industrial growth. It charts BYD’s evolution through periods of challenge and reinvention, leading to the development of its signature “three green dreams”: the electrification of public transportation, the widespread adoption of solar energy, and the advancement in energy storage technologies.

Once viewed as aspirational, these pillars now form the basis of BYD’s global sustainability strategy.

Throughout the museum, visitors encounter several significant milestones—among them, the introduction of the F3DM, recognised as the world’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle capable of charging from a standard household outlet. While understated in appearance, the F3DM remains a symbol of BYD’s pioneering role in mainstream electric vehicle development.

The museum also conveys a broader narrative: that the history of BYD is inextricably linked to the momentum of the electric mobility revolution. It serves not merely as a retrospective but as a living document of innovation, resilience, and vision. The guiding message is clear—time realises ambition, and a well-documented past can illuminate the future.

In preserving its institutional memory through this museum, BYD not only honours its heritage but reinforces its commitment to innovation and sustainable progress.

The BYD History Museum is thus not solely a tribute to past accomplishments but a reflection of a forward-thinking enterprise that continues to shape the mobility landscape on a global scale.

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We were recently invited by BYD to Shenzhen, China, to attend their annual Tech Day. The Pingshan Bay Area Intelligent Test Drive Centre staged an immersive showcase of its latest technologies and provided us a glimpse of what new models will potentially be arriving in Singapore down the road.

This wasn’t your run-of-the-mill media day with brochures and polite nods. This was an all-out automotive boot camp BYD style, where rubber met tarmac and technology met imagination.

The Chinese titan laid out a meticulously choreographed experience, split into two distinctive yet complementary segments: the Intelligent Driving Experience Zone and the Functional Test Drive Zone.

Each segment was designed not only to flex BYD’s technological muscle, but to give guests like engineers, journalists, or car enthusiasts the kind of hands-on experience that leaves you equal parts enlightened and exhilarated.

Intelligent Driving

Let’s start with the Intelligent Driving Experience Zone, which felt like entering a simulation, except the cars were real and the scenarios eerily familiar.

Here, BYD constructed user-focused driving environments to demonstrate some of their most cutting-edge features.

The stars of this zone included the Denza Z9GT, BYD Seal, Denza D9, and the Yangwang U8, vehicles loaded with Level 2+ and Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities.

Instructors demonstrated how effortless it was to manoeuvre these vehicles into or through tricky scenarios. One of the standouts was the Z9’s ability to pivot into a parallel space all on its own. It does so by clevely rotating each rear wheel independently, allowing the car to yaw and squeeze into a space typically impossible for a regular car.

If you are stuck on a dead-end street, the Yangwang U8 demonstrated it can perform a tank turn, allowing it to rotate on its own axis and spin freely in any direction.

Worn tyres aside, the technology is immesingly fascinating, and offers an introductory glance into how this technology can be useful in everyday life.

Essentially, these are real-world-ready cars, programmed to deal with the unpredictabilities of urban life in a measured, near-human way.

Circuit Shakedown

The second half of the BYD Tech Day experience had a more visceral flavour. It was here, on the proving grounds of the Functional Test Drive Zone, that BYD’s breadth of engineering prowess came to the fore.

From straight-line acceleration runs to SUV off-road escapades, the lineup was diverse. Participants were asked to put these machines through their paces in a series of tasks – slalom courses, emergency braking, speed bump tests, and gymkhana corners. These obstacles test everything from agility and suspension damping to brake modulation and throttle response.

There was even an off-road section, where models like the B5, B8 and Shark showed they could tackle more than just urban terrain, with clever technology like auto hill descent that ensures you won’t get tossed off the side of a cliff should your brakes fail.

When Cars Walk on Water

Just when you thought the day had offered up enough driving marvels to last a decade, BYD saved a showstopper for last, and it came in the form of the Yangwang U8.

Now, the U8 is pretty much famous for doing one thing – being able to float on water. It sounds ludicrous on paper, considering it’s a four-motor electric behemoth. But, on this particular afternoon, I got to witness something I never thought I’d write about without irony: being inside a car that is floating… on purpose.

The U8 sat poised at the edge of a water tank large enough to swallow a small boat. It looked no different from any other rugged 4×4, until it dashed into the water with the calm confidence of a labrador leaping into a lake.

Moments after submersion, the emergency floating mode was activated. The entire cabin felt sealed and stable, as though the U8 had transformed into a mini amphibious vehicle. The wheels disengaged, and the car drifted, not chaotically, but in a controlled, calculated way. 

Inside, it was all calm, air-conditioned quiet. No gurgling sounds. No frantic splashes. Just the surreal sensation of gliding on water in a 3,460kg luxury SUV.

The U8 uses its four electric motors (one for each wheel) to generate torque vectoring and balance, even while afloat. And just when we thought things couldn’t get more dramatic, it performed a controlled spin in the water. Yes, you read that right. We could steer on water, using nothing more than the already-included steering wheel. 

Throughout this experience, we were safely in our plush leather seats, dry and in awe. And frankly, slightly disoriented by the absurd coolness of it all.

BYD has effectively pulled off a bold engineering flex, a literal life-saving feature designed for flash floods, emergencies, and worst-case scenarios.

It’s hard not to be impressed by a machine that looks like it belongs in a Bond film but is very much rooted in present-day, production-ready reality. As we stepped out of the U8, back onto dry ground, there was a collective pause among the participants.

Half laughter, half disbelief. I mean, who expects to go swimming in an SUV and emerge with a dry shirt? 

This additional section rounds out the day with a truly unforgettable experience, aligning with BYD’s greater narrative: pushing the boundaries of what cars can do, not just on land, but wherever life might take them.

If you’re still not impressed, you better be

While many carmakers are still struggling to marry the promise of intelligent driving with real-world functionality, BYD appears to be well past the honeymoon phase. BYD Tech Day 2025 was about redefining expectations, and offered a glimpse into a broader strategy.

By integrating proprietary battery tech, electric drive systems, and intelligent software across a diverse vehicle range, BYD is not simply competing with traditional OEMs. It’s rewriting the rules.

As one BYD engineer remarked casually during the event, “We’re not just making cars. We’re designing intelligent mobility ecosystems.” Hyperbole? Maybe. But after a day like this, it’s hard to disagree.

Whether you’re someone who geeks out over torque vectoring or simply wants your car to park itself in tight HDB lots, BYD’s Tech Day left little doubt that the brand’s tech game is dominant.

And if the rest of the industry isn’t paying attention yet, they should be.

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If the world of new energy vehicles ever needed a cathedral, a sanctum where science, sustainability, and storytelling converge, BYD’s Di-Space in Zhengzhou might just be it.

Tucked in the heart of Erqi District, this sprawling 15,000-square-metre complex is a hefty investment of nearly 200 million yuan, and it’s less about selling cars and more about reimagining how we connect with them. It’s a place where you walk through BYD’s past, present, and future.

Step into the first floor and you’re greeted not with the sterile scent of fresh paint or sales brochures, but with a narrative. BYD has built a brand culture zone that traces the journey of human mobility.

Here, energy evolution comes to life through vintage murals and tactile exhibits. It’s the sort of place where a six-year-old and a sixty-year-old could both stand wide-eyed, pondering how far we’ve come from steam engines to solid-state batteries.

Climb to the second and third floors, and the tone shifts. This is where BYD opens the hood (literally and figuratively) on its design philosophy and engineering prowess. The exhibits are tactile, immersive, and strikingly transparent.

Want to see how a single line morphs into a fully functional car? You can. Keen to understand what makes the blade battery tick, or how the fifth-generation DM hybrid system outpaces yesterday’s benchmarks? You’ll find answers here.

And then there’s the “Patent Waterfall”, a staggering visual cascade of over 35,000 patents BYD has filed over the years. It’s as if the walls themselves whisper tales of tenacity, innovation, and that peculiar blend of obsession and genius that fuels true pioneers.

But BYD doesn’t stop at static displays. The fourth floor is dubbed the Science and Technology Discovery Space.

This is a flexible, open-ended environment equipped for workshops, educational sessions, and live demonstrations.

Outside, a 260-square-metre naked-eye 3D corner screen dares to blur the lines between virtual and reality. It’s a mesmerising mix of light, motion, and message.

Art shows, tech contests, community events – Di-Space plans to host them all, ensuring that innovation doesn’t just stay inside the building.

“We hope that through Di-Space, we can make science and technology within our reach and make the concept of green mobility deeply rooted in people’s hearts.”

Wang Chuanfu, BYD Chairman

Zhengzhou Di-Space is a national museum, an innovation centre, and a cultural landmark all rolled into one.

BYD has quietly built something extraordinary: a future that you can walk through, touch, and perhaps even believe in.

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Our journey started at the sleek Novotel Future Park hotel, just outside Bangkok, where the morning air was crisp, and the MINIs were fully charged for the day’s adventure. The route promised variety: scenic B-roads, rural highways, and a special visit to Pathumthani Speedway.

We got an exclusive sneak peek at the electrified future of MINI’s John Cooper Works line-up, including the MINI John Cooper Works Electric and MINI John Cooper Works Aceman. Being among the first in the world to test these cars felt special—but that detailed experience deserves its own story, which I’ll share at Burnpavement.com.

After pushing limits at the track, we headed to the EV Station Hub for a quick recharge, both for the cars and ourselves.

Our next stop was the charming Choc-a-bloc café, a European-inspired hidden gem in the Thai countryside. With fresh coffee and delicious cakes in hand, pausing in a spot so distinctly European yet unmistakably Thai felt surreal.

Fully caffeinated, our convoy continued towards Muak Lek reservoir, where the picturesque setting called for an impromptu photoshoot. After capturing a few rolling shots of the MINIs against the lush backdrop, we moved on to Baan Tha Rit Viewpoint.

Here, the highlight wasn’t just the sweeping views but the friendly goats eager for snacks—indeed, not a standard car launch activity, but one we all enjoyed immensely.

The day ended at Chao Baan Restaurant, where local Thai dishes awaited. Good food, great company, and easy-going conversation about the day’s highlights provided the perfect closure to our quiet yet fulfilling adventure.

Our last night was spent at The Series Resort in Khao Yai, where the cool weather—around 18°C—made us wish we could stay longer. The resort’s peaceful surroundings and comfortable ambience were exactly what we needed after a day filled with excitement.

Finally, we drove back to Bangkok to return the cars at the new One Bangkok development, making time for one last delicious Thai meal before heading back to Singapore. Driving electric through Thailand with MINI proved more relaxing and enjoyable than expected. Quiet journeys, unexpected café discoveries, goat feeding, and incredible mountain evenings were ingredients for an unforgettable road trip.

A place where petrolheads gather in droves, to check out the latest trends in customisation, performance tuning, and automotive innovation.

This year, the 43rd edition of Tokyo Auto Salon returned to Makuhari Messe, bringing together 389 exhibitors and an eye-watering 857 vehicles on display.

Over the course of three days, the show welcomed 258,406 attendees, setting a new benchmark for one of the world’s most revered tuning exhibitions.  

Numbers aside, Tokyo Auto Salon is proof that the custom car scene is still alive and thriving, fuelled by innovation, creativity, and a deep passion for automobiles.  

Tokyo Auto Salon has always been a barometer for the global aftermarket industry, and this year was no different.

From widebody wonders to EV conversions, hardcore track machines to VIP sedans dripping in luxury, every corner of the show floor had something to capture the imagination.

One trend stood out: performance electrification is now a movement. Major tuners showcased hybrid and electric performance builds, proving that EVs are just as modifiable, thrilling, and downright rebellious as their petrol-powered counterparts.  

Meanwhile, traditional JDM icons made a strong comeback, with modernised takes on classic favourites drawing crowds. And, of course, the supercar and hypercar scene continued to push the boundaries of excess, with some of the wildest liveries and aero kits we’ve ever seen.

One of the most talked-about themes was Adaptive aerodynamics. This year, exhibitors showcased active aero solutions that adjust dynamically based on driving conditions. The kind of stuff you’d usually see in motorsport is now making its way into street builds.

The buzz around drift culture was undeniable, with live drift showcases happening just outside the venue.

Watching high-horsepower machines slide effortlessly at impossible angles, accompanied by the unmistakable scent of burning rubber, was an experience in itself.  

Meanwhile, inside, interactive booths allowed visitors to experience the latest automotive technology firsthand.

From virtual simulators replicating real-world racing dynamics to AI-assisted tuning software, the future of car modification is more digital than ever.  

And of course, Tokyo Auto Salon wouldn’t be complete without celebrity appearances. This year, top-tier racing drivers, professional drifters, and automotive influencers were present, sharing their insights, stories, and, of course, signing endless posters for die-hard fans. 

In a world where EVs, AI, and automation are reshaping the industry, TAS 2025 proved that the aftermarket scene will always find a way to push the boundaries of innovation while keeping the passion alive.  

And with Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 already confirmed for 9-11 January 2026, one thing is certain: the custom car world is only getting started.  

Until next year, TAS. Keep the spirit of tuning alive.  

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