From 6 to 12 January, Volkswagen’s latest lineup will grace the Village Square on Level 1 of Waterway Point. The action continues from 9 to 12 January at the Linkbridge Atrium on Level 2 of Marina Square.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the brand’s all-electric offerings like the ID.4 and ID. Buzz, alongside the versatile T-Cross, Tiguan, and of course, the iconic Golf hatchback.

On display in its sporty R-Line trim, the new Golf features comprehensive hardware and software upgrades, including a next-generation infotainment system developed from scratch. 

Exclusive Volkswagen Golf Promotions

For those eyeing the new Golf, Volkswagen Singapore has lined up a suite of exclusive benefits. The first five Golf Life Plus customers will receive Oettinger body kits and limited 50th-anniversary kits. Visitors can also take advantage of event-exclusive promotions, including:

• 3 years of free servicing for ICE (internal combustion engine) customers.
• A 5-year vehicle warranty and 5 years of free 24/7 roadside assistance in Singapore and Malaysia.
• ID. customers enjoy up to an 8-year battery warranty, 8 years of free servicing, and 8 years of free roadside assistance, along with one year of road tax, an in-car dash cam, and solar tinting film.

For further information, visit Volkswagen Singapore’s official website or explore more about the new Golf.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

For those of you eyeing a practical 7-seater SUV, this one might just be the ride you’ve been waiting for.

This facelifted Sorento Hybrid looks sharp, with its sleeker, more defined front end. The revamped bumper, grille, and slimmed-down taillights resemble both the EV9 and the new Carnival. 

Take a walk to the rear, and you’ll notice the previously separated taillights now gently bridged together at the top. Small changes, but they give the Sorento an even more commanding presence on the road. 

Inside, the Sorento Hybrid has had a serious makeover. The dashboard now features what Kia calls a “single curved panel,” which elegantly merges a pair of 12.3-inch screens.

Kia’s hallmark switchable control panel sits right beneath, and the cabin now feels more premium.

If you remember, the original Sorento arrived in Singapore with a turbodiesel engine. But in this facelifted version, it’s all about petrol-electric power. And with the updated hybrid system, this SUV feels fresher, more relevant to the times we’re driving in. 

Under the hood, the new Sorento Hybrid boasts a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, paired with a 64bhp electric motor. Combined, you’re looking at 212bhp and a beefy 366Nm of torque. 

All this power is funnelled through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, clearing the century sprint in a respectable 9.3 seconds. It’s slightly down on power compared to the pre-facelift version, but the extra electrical shove more than makes up for it.

Now, if you’re only focusing on those power numbers, you might miss the real magic – the hybrid efficiency. Kia claims an impressive fuel consumption of 19.6km/litre, which is amazing for an SUV of this size. 

Tech-wise, this is the most advanced Sorento yet. The latest generation of driving assistance features is fully loaded as standard. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or navigating busy streets, you’ll have systems like Forward Collision Avoidance Assistance, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind-Spot Monitors working with you.

And if you’re upgrading to the SX Tech Pack, ambient mood lighting, a powered panoramic sunroof, and tunes blasting from a 12-speaker BOSE sound system are included.

Even if you opt for the base SX trim, you’re far from missing out. You get 8-way powered front seats with ventilation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and air-con vents for second and third-row passengers.

The SX Tech Pack just takes it all up a notch with extras like a head-up display and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a top-tier variant.

With prices starting from $244,999 for the SX trim (COE included), the Sorento Hybrid is now available for viewing at Kia’s showroom.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

Three years after its original fourth-generation debut, the new Carnival offers substantial upgrades in exterior styling, cabin features, and, most notably, its drivetrain.

Gone is the 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine of the original; you’ll instead find a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 54kW electric motor and a new 6-speed automatic transmission. This transition to a petrol-electric hybrid promises better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

The new turbo-hybrid powertrain delivers more punch than its predecessor, boasting a system output of 241bhp (up by 43bhp) and 366Nm of torque. This boost in power translates to a quicker 0-100 km/h sprint, achieved in just 9.3 seconds (1.4 seconds faster than the previous diesel model). 

Kia also promises enhanced comfort and stability with its advanced hybrid technology. The new ‘E-Ride’ system uses the electric motor to reduce forward and backwards rocking motions. Meanwhile, the ‘E-Handling’ feature aids cornering performance by adjusting power delivery for improved stability.

With an official fuel consumption rate of 15.4 km/litre, this impressive efficiency is supported by the car’s aerodynamic updates. The new 19-inch Hybrid Electric Vehicle-specific rims, featuring a blocky pattern, have been optimised for better airflow.

Additionally, active air flaps on the lower bumper, similar to those on the fully electric Kia EV9, automatically adjust to reduce drag and improve fuel economy.

The Carnival Hybrid’s refreshed exterior maintains its ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’ identity, now with slimmer head and taillight signatures and a reshaped ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.

Despite a slight increase in height (now 1,785mm), it remains practical for navigating carparks with 1.8m height limits.

Inside, the Carnival Hybrid continues to shine with its generous space, particularly in the boot, which offers a substantial 627 litres even with all three rows of seats in place.

This space is complemented by an unchanged wheelbase of 3,090mm, ensuring ample room for passengers across all three rows.

Like the old model, the Carnival Hybrid comes in both 8-seater and 7-seater configurations. The latter, ideal for a more luxurious experience, features reclinable ‘Relaxation Seats’ in the second row – complete with footrests, ventilation, and multi-directional sliding capabilities.

The cabin now boasts a sophisticated three two-tone interior colour scheme (like the Navy/Misty Gray combination pictured above).

The upgraded dashboard integrates two 12.3-inch screens, an LCD touch panel for volume and climate controls, a head-up display, and a shift-by-wire rotary gear selector.

The Kia Carnival Hybrid is now available for purchase, starting at $269,999 (including COE) for the eight-seater variant.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

The EQA, Mercedes’ petite electric crossover, has recently undergone a gentle touch-up. 

Originally debuting in 2021, the EQA was a pioneer in a then sparsely populated field. Fast forward to today, and it finds itself amidst a veritable stampede of rivals like the BMW iX1 and Audi Q4 e-tron, all jostling for supremacy in the luxury electric crossover arena.

Now that the field is bunched up, one must innovate to stand out from the pack. Has the EQA done enough though?

Design-wise, the EQA mirrors the GLA but its appearance might make you think of an android doppelgänger; eerily familiar yet distinctively different.

It’s the sort of vehicle that doesn’t crack jokes or raise eyebrows; instead, it goes about its business with a stoic efficiency that’s almost Apple-esque in its design philosophy.

With the latest facelift, the EQA adopts a grille that now sports the brand’s iconic star pattern, aligning it aesthetically with its bigger EQ siblings.

The designers have tweaked the front bumper to slice through the air with greater ease, and it sports a new LED light bar that arcs across the grille.

Round the back, the tail lights don an intricate 3D design, maintaining the original model’s LED light bar, which adds a touch of sophistication to its posterior aesthetics.

Sitting on 18-inch wheels, the EQA maintains an understated and classy look. Enough to fly under the radar, but also enough to garner a second glance.

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQA, though snug, compensates with its top-tier finish. The ambience is further enhanced by plush materials that assure you that this is indeed a bona fide member of the Mercedes family, albeit a younger sibling.

Every switch and surface shouts quality, aligning with what one expects from the storied brand. But it’s not all just show; the EQA is practical with its technology too with its twin 10.25-inch displays.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and you get a decent amount of settings to play around with. The displays also offers a treasure trove of data on how to manage your electric charge.

It’s not all roses though, especially in the back. The roominess of the petrol GLA didn’t quite translate to its electric counterpart.

The battery pack has nudged the floor upwards, making the rear less comfortable, with a flat seat base and elevated floor that leave something to be desired in terms of legroom and foot space.

Cargo space? Adequate but not generous at 340 litres, with a small nook for your charging cables. The lack of a frunk might leave you wishing for a bit more storage.

From the get-go, the EQA wraps you in an almost ethereal silence. The only hint of its movement is a pedestrian-warning hum, which itself fades into the background as you pick up speed, melding seamlessly into the soft symphony played by the tyres and subdued thuds of the suspension.

Performance, while not heart-racing, is certainly competent, especially in the bursts from standstill to city speeds. Though it might not chase the horizon with ferocity, reaching the century mark from a standstill in a respectable 8.6 seconds, the EQA shows a spirited side within city limits.

Push it past double digits, however, and it seems to retreat, content to hover below its modest top speed of 160km/h.

Jolts from the road at lower speeds are noticeable, but not uncomfortable. The vehicle’s dynamics on twistier roads have more discipline, with stiff anti-roll bars keeping it true to its path, albeit with a bit of side-to-side swagger.

Steering in the EQA might leave enthusiasts yearning for more feedback, but its predictable nature makes it a reliable companion on longer highway jaunts. Braking is another feather in the EQA’s cap, with a system that transitions smoothly between regenerative and mechanical braking. 

Intriguingly, Mercedes allows drivers to tinker with the regeneration settings via paddle shifters. The ‘Dynamic’ regen setting adds a smart touch, adjusting itself based on the traffic flow and speed regulations, though it requires a bit of acclimatisation to appreciate its intermittent interventions.

All said, the EQA may not set your pulse racing, but it doesn’t aim to. Instead, it offers a ride where luxury and silence coalesce into a serene, albeit slightly sanitised, driving experience.

Yes, it doesn’t have the swanky Hyperscreen like its bigger siblings, or expansive amounts of tech, but that’s one of the reasons why I prefer the EQA to its Mercedes brethren. It has enough tech to satisfy you, without going overboard while tripping on itself in the process.

Couple that with a relatively premium cabin, competitive range and charging speeds, and the Mercedes-Benz EQA fits the bill for those looking to begin their transition to electric mobility. 

Technical Specifications

Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+

Engine: Single Asynchronous Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 140kw (188bhp)
Torque: 385Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 8.6 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 160km/h
Battery Capacity: 70.5 kWh
Drive Range: 569 km
Energy Consumption: 5.4 km/kWh (claimed)

Price: S$289,888 (Progressive), S$298,888 (Electric Art), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Mercedes-Benz Singapore

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

BMW has just lifted the veil on the latest upgrades to its all-electric i4 and the 4 Series Gran Coupe. At the forefront of this new wave of design, both models boast a redesigned front grille, with the i4 featuring a fresh mesh pattern.

This grille, surrounded by standard matt chrome or an optional gloss black, is accompanied by new headlights. These can now be upgraded to adaptive units with a matrix high beam, echoing the rear design of the BMW M4 CSL.

For those who wish to make an even bolder statement, BMW now offers the cars in new Cape York metallic and Fire Red metallic, alongside new 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels and 20-inch BMW Individual aerodynamic wheels.

Inside, the cabins of both models have seen significant enhancements. Standard features now include a sleek two-spoke steering wheel with illuminated multifunction buttons.

For those who crave a sportier touch, an M leather steering wheel with three spokes and a flat-bottomed rim is available.

BMW has also transitioned to its Operating System 8.5. This move sees a redesigned instrument panel that reduces button clutter, opting instead for a more streamlined gear selector and physical rotary controls for adjusting the air conditioning vents.

Ambient lighting now comes standard across both models, enhanced by contour lighting around the newly designed central seam vents, adding a touch of elegance and modernity to the driving experience.

Variants

The BMW i4 now has a new xDrive40 variant to its lineup, boasting a robust 396bhp and all-wheel drive. This addition promises a dynamic driving experience that’s both powerful and precise, and fills the gap between the i4 eDrive 35 and i4 m50.

Meanwhile, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe continues to offer a variety of engines, all linked to an 8-speed ZF transmission.

These range from the efficient 181bhp 2.0-litre engine in the BMW 420i Gran Coupe to the more vigorous 241bhp 2.0-litre engine in the BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe.

The standout remains the 430i xDrive Gran Coupe with a 368bhp 3.0-litre engine that delivers 500Nm of torque, allowing it to dash the century sprint in a mere 4.7 seconds.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

Mercedes-Benz has launched facelifts of its W177 A-Class and W247 B-Class, and they are now on display at Mercedes-Benz Centre at 301 Alexandra Road.

Starting off with the A-Class, there will be a 48-volt mild hybrid system paired to a 1,332cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Available in both sedan (saloon) and hatchback configurations, the A 180 Progressive puts out a COE Category A-friendly 130hp and 230Nm of torque. The A 200 AMG Line ups the ante to 163hp and 270Nm of torque.

Power is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and the mild hybrid adds 13.6hp to the engine when some extra grunt is needed for acceleration from a standstill. The mild hybrid system can also power the car along during specific steady-state cruise conditions with the petrol engine shut off, and regenerate its batteries while slowing down.

Through the addition of the mild hybrid system, Mercedes-Benz has made the popular A-Class more frugal with the A 180 Progressive boasting a claimed 6.2-litres/100km or 16.1km/litre combined-cycle fuel economy.

If more power for more thrills is needed, Mercedes-Benz also has the AMG A 35 4MATIC and AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ in both sedan and hatchback guise for the former, and hatchback only for the latter.

For proper hot sedan-ery/hatch-ery, the AMG A 35 puts out 306hp and 400Nm, but the AMG A 45 S is even more mental and rocket down the road with a giddy-inducing 421hp and 500Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is dispatched in 4.7-seconds and 3.9-seconds respectively.

Both AMGs are powered by a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and put their power down to the road via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive. Like their daily-driven siblings, both AMGs also feature mild hybrid technology to make the daily commute a bit more frugal.

Also launched is the facelifted B-Class Sports Tourer, available as the B 180 Progressive and shares the same COE Category A-friendly engine specifications with its A 180 Progressive cousin.

Both the A-Class and B-Class also receive mildly refreshed looks on the outside and the latest generation MBUX infotainment system on the inside.

Prices are $234,888 for the A 180 Progressive Hatchback, and $236,888 for the A 180 Progressive Saloon and B 180 Progressive.

For more information, contact Mercedes-Benz Singapore.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

There weren’t any drastic changes to the car, but the mid-cycle facelift aligns the model to Peugeot’s latest visual identity, first introduced with the 508 earlier this year.

Fresh new claws

New claw-like triple vertical lights are built into the bumper’s glossy black inserts, matching up with the front grille and full-LED headlights.

The taillights were also given a slight makeover, using three superimposed horizontal double slats. Other novelties include new 16 to 18-inch wheels moulded after those offered for the 408, and these look extra funky.

The launch colour pictured here is Selenium Grey, while the GT variant gets a two-tone paint and black roof look as standard. However, regardless of colour, all e-2008s will get black side mirror caps.

Updated infotainment

Cabin commodities are mostly the same as the outgoing model, with the most notable change being an updated 10-inch touchscreen as opposed to the 7-inch displays in the pre-facelift model.

Step up to the Allure or GT and customers will also get a newly designed 10-inch digital instrument cluster, which comes with Peugeot’s 3D i-cockpit on the GT trim level. Settle for the base Active and the small SUV will come with standard analogue dials.

More power and range

Arguably the biggest update to the new E-2008 is its extra power and range. Inheriting the same hardware from the E-208 and E-308, a single electric motor delivers 115kW (156 bhp), translating to a 15 per cent increase from the outgoing model.

The battery pack has also increased from 50 to 54 kWh, which has bumped the range up to from 345 to 406 kilometres (WLTP).

For those who’d rather have a simpler internal combustion powertrain, Peugeot is still selling the 2008 with a three-cylinder, 1.2-litre turbocharged gasoline engine. Output stands at 100 bhp through a 6-speed manual gearbox or 130 bhp via an 8-speed automatic. 

We should be seeing the facelifted e-2008 make its debut sometime later in 2023 for the Singapore market.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!

With a frugal turbocharged engine, practical and spacious interior for the family, and crucially falling under category A of COE, the C5 has a lot going for it. Consumers agree too, and the car has seen substantial success ever since it hit the showrooms.

Now, Citroën is trying to improve on that success. How will they be doing that? By bringing in a new, facelifted version. Same tried and true formula, with new refined looks. 

So what do you get with the new facelift? Up front, a new “V” LED light signature gives the C5 a commanding facade. The front bumper is also reworked with a larger, more prominent Citroën logo.

To round off the overall aesthetics and add a bit more functionality, longitudinal roof bars are a new feature for the facelift. Not available on the old model, the facelift C5 Aircross also introduces a new paint colour, aptly dubbed ‘Eclipse Blue’. 

On the inside, the Advanced Comfort Programme is now a standard option in the C5 Aircross. This gives occupants Progressive Hydraulic Cushions and Advanced Comfort Seats. In layman’s terms, this means drivers can now enjoy the combination of high-density foam in the seat centre, with thick textured foam on the surface that ensures softness and support throughout their journey. A very welcome creature comfort option for those looking to snag one up.

The C5 Aircross is now available at Cycle & Carriage, and you can check it out at the Citroën showroom located in Alexandra.

Catch the latest news right here on AutoApp!