On Wednesday 12 July 2023, Aston Martin previewed its brand new fist-bitingly gorgeous “Super Tourer” DB12 to local media. You know, because the term “Grand Tourer” just isn’t adequate.

This DB12 will no longer be offered with a V12 engine. Instead, a twin-turbocharged four-litre V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and puts down 680hp and 800Nm of torque via an electronic rear differential, that can react much quicker than a mechanical differential, to the rear wheels only.

And what alluring wheels they are. 21-inch forged alloy rims, 9.5J- and 10.5J-width front and rear respectively, wear 275/35ZR21 and 325/30ZR21 AML-mark Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tyres in the first OEM application for this brand new tyre.

Together, they enable the DB12 to dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.6 seconds, and on to a top speed of 325km/h. Stopping duties fall to 400mm steel brake discs which are clamped by six-piston calipers up front, with 360mm discs and four-piston calipers at the rear. Plonk down cash for the optional carbon ceramic brake (CCB) option, and the front discs increase in size to 410mm.

Aston Martin wanted its customers to still be able to do long distances in comfort like DBs of yore, while also being able to tear up the tarmac during track days. Suspension partner Bilstein worked to fine-tune the dampers to allow the DB12 to cruise like a grand tourer, and yet with a press of a button, sharpen up and perform like a supercar. Hence the new terminology “Super Tourer.” This is said to be the sharpest handling DB ever.

On the inside, Aston Martin has upped the game with a new level of technology. An optional 15-speaker 1,170-watt Bowers & Wilkins audio system is controlled by a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both in wireless guise. The instrument cluster is digital too, but thankfully, Aston Martin has seen fit to retain physical controls where they matter, such as the climate controls for instance.

The interior is trimmed in high quality leathers and Alcantara, fitting for a “Super Tourer” of this stature. The craftsmanship is exquisite and customers will no doubt have a wide variety of materials and trims to choose from to customise their DB12 and make it their own.

More to come when we drive the DB12. Watch this space. In the meantime, this “Super Tourer’s” next preview stop is Malaysia.

Photo Credits: Joel Tam (@r129_365)

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The opening race in Sepang, Malaysia, heralds the return of the much-missed championship after a long three-season hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first shakedown circuit will be Malaysia’s 5.543km, FIA Grade 1 Sepang International Circuit with the field contesting the first two, 50-minute races of the year. This is also where the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 will make its Asian racing debut.

“The return of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia will reignite motorsport in the region, and we’re thrilled to reunite the Asia Pacific Lamborghini family, welcome new teams and drivers, and debut the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2. We are looking forward to a truly memorable season,” said Giorgio Sanna, head of Lamborghini Motorsport.

The 2023 lineup also features a whole international roster of skilled and talented drivers, including a fellow Singaporean in the mix. Jason Loh will be going up against some of the world’s best, and the field has a good mix of veterans and new faces.

A dedicated, professional coach will also be at the disposal of all series drivers at every round of the series as part of the comprehensive driver and team support package. At Sepang, the designated coach is Macau Grand Prix winner André Couto, who amassed vast experience contesting the Japan Super GT in a JLOC Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO over several seasons.

Of course, the real star of the show is the new formidable Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2. Featuring radical aerodynamic refinements over its predecessor its uncompromising design was created by Lamborghini Centro Stile. New light clusters and a pronounced ‘omega’ lip at the front, culminating in new air curtain intakes help optimise airflow.

The iconic 5.2-litre NA V10 engine now delivers up to 611bhp, retaining its goosebump-inducing legendary sound. A sound that has since become synonymous with the Lamborghini Super Trofeo.

Drivers will be competing for four championship titles over the Lamborghini Super Trofeo 2023 season – Overall, PRO-AM, AM and Lamborghini Cup, with combinations of FIA-ranked Bronze, Silver and Gold drivers.

Each race weekend will feature two 60-minute free practice sessions followed by two 15-minute qualifying runs to set the grids for each of the 50-minute races. Each race also includes one mandatory pitstop. Championship points, like other racing series, are awarded for the top 10 finishers on a descending scale from 15 to 1, with an additional point for pole position in each class.

Australia is also a new destination for the Super Trofeo race circus, held at The Bend Motorsport Park, located 100km southeast of Adelaide.

South Korea’s Hankook will be the global official tyre partner for the 2023 season and joins long-time Asian series collaborator Roger Dubuis in supporting the championship.

All races will be live-streamed via the Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube channel.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia 2023 Provisional Calendar

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The harmonious noise was caused by the first-ever Asia Harley Days festival, organised by Harley-Davidson. The event saw a record attendance of more than 1600 festival goers heralding from all over Asia, including 80 H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) chapters and motorcycle clubs from Thailand, South Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, India, Guam, Shanghai, and Singapore.

This event was not just exclusively for Asian territories, and the event even saw riders coming all the way from Belgium and Australia to join in the festivities.

The two-day moto-music festival, held on November 5th and 6th 2022 at Cha-Am beach, Thailand, provided guests with two nights of exhilarating performances and activities.

These included breath-taking stunt shows and gymkhana, Harley-Davidson test rides and multiple bike competitions. For those who are not able to ride motorcycles, the festival also featured fun games and contests, as well as both English and Thai music concerts performed by renowned bands. There was something for everyone to enjoy!

Asia Harley Days officially kicked off on 5th November with the iconic H.O.G. parade, a convoy exclusively for H.O.G. members and Friends of H.O.G. Before the ride began, a traditional Thai ceremony to pay respect to the 7 Kings of Thailand was held, followed by a massive H.O.G. logo formation.

More than 350 riders assembled at the starting venue of Rajabhakti Park, Hua Hin, to join in the parade and ride to the festival venue at Triple Tree Beach Resort, Cha-Am. The parade was officially flagged off by Lieutenant General Pit Chotisut, Director of Army Tourism Promotion Agency and Major General Somporn Donsingha, Commander of Royal Thai Army Sergeant School, Hua Hin.

The parade was led by Harley-Davidson royalty – Dimitris Raptis, Vice President of Asia Pacific, Harley-Davidson, alongside Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director of Asia Emerging Markets & India, Harley-Davidson. Mr. Nukul Pornsomboonsiri, Mayor of Cha-Am, received the parade and was Guest-of-Honour at the opening ceremony held at Cha-Am Beach.

Aside from the aforementioned festivities, festival attendees enjoyed a range of side activities such as best beard, best tattoo, fashion icon, highest number of Harley-Davidson patches and best slogan contests. Plus, guests could vote for their favourite custom motorcycles at the Custom Kings contest.

The awards for these various contests were handed out on the second day of the festival to much fanfare. This awards ceremony also championed the first-ever Asia Harley Days Hall of Fame recipients, where over 50 select riders and dealer groups were recognised for their contribution and achievement to the Harley-Davidson community.

Missed this? Don’t worry, catch the official wrap-up film on YouTube by clicking on the link here.

Plus, Harley-Davidson has officially announced too that Asia Harley Days will become an annual event from Harley-Davidson in the region. An announcement for the 2023 edition will be made soon, so stay tuned.

To know more about future events and how to participate, you may follow Harley-Davidson Asia’s social media collaterals at:

Facebook: @HarleyDavidsonAsia

Instagram: @HarleyDavidson_Asia

YouTube: Harley-Davidson Asia

Any interested customers who may have queries pertaining to the event too can contact Harley-Davidson here. 

(Photo Credits: Harley-Davidson Asia)

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The world of e-sports is now more lively than ever, and an increasing number of auto manufacturers are hosting exhilarating virtual championships. Toyota is a big player in this new sport, and the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) GT Cup Asia 2022 has just concluded on an exhilarating note on Saturday, 29 October 2022. 

Enthusiasts from around the world witnessed 20 local qualifiers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and South Korea battle it out for the regional championship title, and more importantly, for a spot in the upcoming Global Finals.

Kicking off in Group A of the Regional Semi-Finals, Andika Rama M. from Indonesia dominated the race while defending champion Nathayos Sirigaya from Thailand finished in the runner-up spot. Still, that was enough to retain Nathayos’ title with a 74-point lead, emerging as the TGR GT Cup ASIA 2022 Regional Champion.

Andika came in second with 71 points, just 3 points shy from the top podium spot. Being the top two racers, both Nathayos and Andika will represent Asia in the upcoming TGR GT Cup Global Finals in November.

Aside from the generous line-up of Toyota race cars within the Gran Turismo 7 platform and newly introduced race conditions, the third season of the TGR GT Cup ASIA 2022 also showcases how Toyota is committed to making e-motorsports more accessible to everyone.

With life-like graphics and realistic game physics, the general public can now experience what it is like to blast race cars around an exciting track. Best of all, this can be done in the comforts of one’s home, without having to worry about traditional safety concerns associated with racing.

Even if one does not happen to own the necessary equipment, Toyota has established multiple roadshows across the year to let the general public have a go on their simulators. This is a win-win for all, and motorsport fans will definitely be in favour of this, as it means more people are exposed to the joys of racing.

As with previous GT Cups, prizes were awarded to the top three country teams and racers. Team Malaysia took home 1st place with 120 points, followed by Team Indonesia coming in at 110 points. Team Thailand completed the podium with 104 points.

If you are interested in re-watching the Regional Finals for TGR GT Cup ASIA 2022, you can check it out here.

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