For years, enthusiasts have asked the same question whenever Ferrari unveils a new flagship model. "When will the manual gearbox return?" For the longest time, the answer has always been the same. Faster lap times, quicker gear changes and modern performance demands meant Ferrari's dual-clutch transmission had become the natural evolution of the marque. The manual gearbox, while romantic, was simply no longer the quickest way around a circuit. But, driving a Ferrari has ...
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The BYD Seal 6 DM-i is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid sedan for Singapore, and it is an excellent all-rounder with excellent range and a surprisingly decent drive. If you’re looking to buy a BYD sedan in Singapore right now, you essentially have three choices. There’s the Seal, which is the OG BYD sedan offering, the Seal 6 EV, which is the slightly smaller and more affordable option, and then the ...
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Aion’s UT compact electric hatch offers plenty of cheekiness, but under its cute facade lies a car that delivers excellent value. In all my years of driving, I’ve never come across a car that has promised to cure motion sickness. But the new Aion UT has a setting called ‘Motion Sickness Relief’, which apparently tries to smoothen the driving experience by reducing the regenerative braking and energy recovery to a minimum, ...
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We recently had the chance to preview the all-new BMW X5 in Munich, and for me, this one felt a little more personal. I used to own an X5, and it remains one of those cars that hold a special place in my heart. There was always something very appealing about the way it combined ruggedness with premium comfort. It had presence, usefulness, a proper sense of strength, and enough BMW ...
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There are some cars that feel like a normal model change, and others that feel like the start of something much bigger. The new BMW iX3 belongs firmly in the second group. This is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse generation of cars, and that alone makes it significant. The phrase Neue Klasse, or New Class, looks back to a very important period in BMW’s history, when the brand found a ...
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Xiaomi has become the first manufacturer to complete an officially certified autonomous driving lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife, using a Xiaomi YU7 GT. For decades, the Nürburgring Nordschleife has been the ultimate test of both man and machine. The 20.8-kilometre circuit is unforgiving. Its 73 corners, dramatic elevation changes and constantly changing road surface have humbled some of the world's greatest racing drivers and exposed the weaknesses of countless performance cars. If ...
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The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz GLB has been launched in Singapore, with hybrid versions set to follow later this year. One of Singapore’s best-selling Mercedes-Benz models, the GLB compact seven-seater SUV, has gone all electric, and the all-new GLB has been officially launched here following an event held at the Mercedes-Benz Center on 23 June. The electric GLB effectively takes the place of the previous EQB model, as part of Mercedes-Benz’s consolidation of ...
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Following the successful introduction of the flagship DEEPAL S07, the Chinese manufacturer has officially launched the DEEPAL S05 in Singapore. Positioned as a mid-sized electric SUV, the newcomer combines contemporary styling, intelligent technology and everyday practicality, giving buyers another option in one of the country's fastest-growing vehicle segments. Rather than replacing the DEEPAL S07, the S05 complements it. The S07 established CHANGAN's credentials in Singapore as a premium all-electric SUV, while the S05 ...
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As Maserati celebrates the centenary of its iconic Trident emblem, it has chosen to evolve the three models that now sit at the heart of its line-up: the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale. It is a measured approach that focuses on improving what already works while reaffirming the brand's identity as a maker of elegant Italian grand tourers. The updates span design, performance, technology and electrification. More importantly, they provide a glimpse into ...
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Dongfeng wades into the Cat A electric SUV game with the Vigo, but beyond its funky looks lies a somewhat rough, unpolished diamond. They say good things come to those who wait. My Dongfeng Vigo test drive was rescheduled twice due to various circumstances surrounding the car. Given the proliferation of similar other Cat A electric SUVs on the market though, I can’t say that it was a delay I minded ...
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The latest Porsche Taycan receives a series of updates aimed at making the driving experience more engaging while introducing a significantly revised digital interface. Rather than focusing solely on performance figures, Porsche has concentrated on strengthening the connection between driver and machine. "By introducing comprehensive innovations for the model year change, we are strengthening the Taycan in all relevant areas. The latest models offer a more emotive driving experience and more intuitive ...
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When GWM ORA first arrived in Singapore, it did so with cars that stood out for their distinctive styling. The ORA Good Cat brought a sense of personality to the electric hatchback segment, while the ORA 07 introduced a more premium fastback alternative. Now, the brand is taking its next step with the all-new GWM ORA 5 eSUV in Singapore, marking the brand's first fully electric SUV. "The ORA 5 eSUV represents a ...
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Toyota does not usually rush into things. This is, after all, the company that turned hybrid motoring from a curiosity into a global habit, one Prius at a time. So when it finally decided to build a proper battery-electric SUV, you expected something deeply considered, perhaps even revolutionary. And it kind of is, apart from its name. The Toyota bZ4X, admittedly, sounds like someone dropped a keyboard down a staircase. It stands for ...
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Lexus has unveiled Refine Dining, a new culinary collaboration with Marriott Bonvoy that will bring a series of exclusive gastronomic experiences across Southeast Asia. The initiative will debut in Singapore before travelling to Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Brunei over the next two years. Each destination will feature specially curated dinners that bring together celebrated chefs from Marriott Bonvoy properties and local industrial designers. Rather than focusing solely on the ...
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From 15 June, holders of Class 3 and Class 3A driving licences will be allowed to drive all electric light goods vehicles (eLGVs) and electric small buses with an unladen weight of up to 3000kg. The change raises the previous limit of 2,500kg and is in response to the growing recognition that electric vehicles are often heavier than their combustion-engined counterparts due to their battery packs. Unlike conventional petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, ...
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