The Neta X is the latest contender in the hotly contested SUV EV market. Unless you have been living under a rock, you would have noticed that the BYD Atto 3 has taken Singapore by storm. Everywhere you look, there is a good chance you will see one. Yet, not everyone wants to follow the crowd. Some prefer to stand out, even if their friends and relatives already own one. Perhaps they ...
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The Neta AYA encapsulates the steep uphill battle for budget-friendly cars in Singapore. Being a budget-friendly car in Singapore is no easy feat. With the world's highest car prices, affordable runabouts are quickly becoming an endangered species. The current COE landscape favours luxury brands, where the additional cost of ownership is a smaller percentage of the overall price. Let's illustrate an example. The bread-and-butter Toyota Corolla Altis is currently priced at $164,888, with ...
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The Dongfeng Box (also known as the Nammi 01) makes a compelling case for practical and affordable urban mobility. With its approachable price point (as far as COE prices are concerned), surprisingly impressive range for its battery capacity, and other modern features, this five-door hatchback does reshape perceptions of entry-level EVs in our local automotive landscape. It’s got a future-focused foundation Built upon Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture Platform 3, the Box is designed with ...
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The new electric Porsche Macan Turbo is a ferocious piece of engineering. I was recently in Thailand to attend Das Treffen 9, and Porsche Thailand has very kindly provided me a car to get around Bangkok. To my delight, they tossed me the keys to the new electric Macan Turbo. Having driven The Macan 4 earlier this year, I was eager to have a go in the torque monster. Power Unleashed Let’s start with ...
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The middle-of-the-pack BMW i4 eDrive35 is arguably the best i4 to buy on the market. While it’s easy to mistake it for a 4 Series Gran Coupe with a battery, the i4 is so much more than a mere EV conversion. Beneath its sleek silhouette lies a purpose-built electric platform that stakes its claim as a true driver’s car. Does It Drive Like A BMW? BMW went back to the drawing board for the ...
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The Polestar 3 is the long-awaited practical sibling that completes the Scandinavian lineup. When Polestar first made headlines, it was as Volvo’s hip, younger cousin, complete with funky designs and a conscience for sustainability. Now, with the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, the brand has taken a bold step into the world of full-size electric SUVs, but in typical Scandinavian style, it’s done so with restraint and elegance. Subtle But Striking At first glance, ...
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The Maxus MIFA 7 joins its bigger MIFA 9 sibling in the MPV arena. It’s been over a year since we had our first encounter with the Maxus MIFA 9, a towering presence in the MPV world. Now, Maxus has introduced its younger sibling, the MIFA 7. This all-electric MPV promises to deliver a balanced blend of size, comfort, and value. Perfect then, for the practical family man navigating Singapore’s urban landscape. Its Size ...
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Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its sprawling convertible lineup, which at one point offered a bewildering array of options. The SLK (later SLC), SL roadsters, C-, E-, and S-Class cabrios. Suffice to say, you had plenty of options to get sunburnt in Singapore. But now, the lineup has been streamlined, with the Mercedes-AMG SL holding its own as a standalone entity, while the C- and E-Class cabriolets merge into a single, ...
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A Ferrari you can… daily drive? Welcome to the Purosangue folks. When Ferrari unveiled its first-ever SUV, or as they insist, NOT an SUV, the automotive world collectively gasped. The Ferrari Purosangue, which loosely translates to "thoroughbred," is Ferrari’s bold declaration that it can blend practicality with its trademark DNA of speed, performance, and unapologetic flair. Big shoes to fill then. No pressure. What Exactly Is It? The Purosangue isn’t just a four-door, four-seat, four-wheel-drive ...
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The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N challenges everything we know, or think we know, about electric vehicles. I first encountered the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N during its global launch at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. There it was, shredding tyres and exuding the kind of audacious energy that suggests Hyundai’s engineers had been on a strict diet of adrenaline and madness. Its fantastically bonkers nature brought much fanfare to both the brand ...
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In the crowded SUV market, the Skoda Kodiaq has always stood tall; literally and figuratively. Since its debut in 2016, this seven-seat SUV has been one of Skoda’s finest offerings, winning hearts with its practicality, smart design, and budget-friendly price tag. Now, in its second generation, the Kodiaq returns with updates that aim to keep it ahead of the pack. Familiar Looks, Fresh Details At first glance, you might mistake this for a minor ...
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The emergence of Chinese automaker Denza, with its latest offering - the Denza D9 - signals a bold challenge to established players. Denza is a relatively new marque, originating from a former partnership between BYD and Mercedes-Benz. Positioned as BYD’s premium arm, Denza aims to deliver vehicles that blend luxury and cutting-edge technology. The Denza D9, which officially launched in Singapore back in October 2024, is poised to attract buyers seeking an ...
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The Mercedes-AMG CLE53 takes the CLE formula and dials it up to eleven. The Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 exudes an unmistakable presence. It’s the kind of car that makes you stop mid-stride and do a double-take. With its AMG badge, it carries an expectation of performance, but this isn’t a full-fat 63. Instead, the CLE53 finds its sweet spot somewhere between outright aggression and refined composure, a balancing act that promises a lot ...
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The Cat A Omoda E5 is Chery’s latest attempt to capture attention, quietly yet confidently. This EV doesn’t break new ground, but that’s precisely the point. It’s designed to be familiar to folks who are used to ICE cars, yet offer them a new form of propulsion underneath. A familiar face in a crowded field The Omoda E5 has all the telltale design cues of a modern electric crossover; sharp lines, a streamlined ...
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Ask someone to name a luxury car, and odds are you’ll hear a lineup of the usual suspects: BMW, Mercedes, Audi, maybe even a Lexus. Certainly not the Denza D9. But in recent years, the Chinese have been elbowing their way onto that list with a kind of determination that other nations can only dream of. And that’s precisely the attitude BYD brings with the new Denza D9; a bold, spacious MPV ...
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