The R 18 B sure knows how to charm its way into one's heart despite its size. Coming away from my first cruiser experience recently, I was keen to have a go at BMW Motorrad's offering. The time came to meet the bike, and my initial internal reaction was, "ohhhh.... s**t..." Then the sweats started. Although having been informed ahead of time that the R 18 B would be the bike on ...
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Hurrah, you don’t need to sink money into a Cayman GT4 to get a flat-six engine. This is one of Porsche’s big hits; the Cayman GTS. After a solid four years of vouching for that grunty turbocharged four-cylinder in the 718 Cayman, Stuttgart has had a bit of an epiphany and done a U-turn. They've gone and plonk in a slightly detuned version of the latest Cayman GT4's 4.0-litre flat-six, and ...
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The Skoda Scala proves that fun and enjoyment can come from compact packages. The Scala is Skoda’s attempt to bridge the gap between the Fabia and Octavia. Think competition for the Volkswagen Golf and SEAT Leon, that sort of thing. Still, as is the Skoda way, the Scala is priced competitively so that you get a bit more kit than the aforementioned brands for the same money. With badge prejudice becoming ever ...
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The Mercedes-Benz SL55 is brutal when you want it to, and docile when you need it to. And it does all of that with the wind in your face. Even for a brand as venerable as Mercedes-Benz, the SL nameplate still holds its own even to this day. Its bloodline started with the original 300SL in 1952, a post-war dogfighter that captivated eyes the world over with its signature gullwing doors ...
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The Lexus RZ is the marque’s first shot at a luxury EV competitor, bringing about its famed Japanese refinement and sensibleness. With SUVs being produced by the dozen these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the new Lexus RZ is just another run-of-the-mill electric SUV. But, it’s actually Lexus’ first ever purpose-built EV, and it's making a statement for itself. Yes, there was the UX300e, but it was originally conceived ...
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The Maserati Grecale is living proof that Italian flair and strict emissions can co-exist in a future-focused harmonious symphony. It’s beginning to feel like the world has forgotten how to make anything but SUVs these days, and Maserati is actually fairly late to the game with its contender. Yes, they did launch the Levante back in 2016, but lacklustre sales didn’t make it a case-closed preposition. So back to the drawing board ...
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With petrol prices rocking to new highs, fuel efficiency now plays a very big part in how you can save some spare cash in your wallet. It’s a tall order to expect an internal combustion (ICE) car to be economical, decently agile, and practical. The Japanese have more or less been pretty strong in this department over the past decade or so with economical cars, but you get the feeling that ...
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The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a smorgasbord of American engineering, resulting in a premium SUV that fits surprisingly well on our roads. SUVs have seen a huge market shift in recent years. What was once a tool that can traverse harsh terrains without breaking a sweat has now transformed into city-dwelling 'Chelsea Tractors' that disintegrate at the first sign of anything other than tarmac. There is still a rare bunch of SUVs ...
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The Honda Freed is an all-in-one compact family package for seven. Every time I approach a mini-MPV, regardless of make and model, I can't help but have one crucial thought in my head. Can this thing fit seven people in comfort? Being an owner of a full-sized MPV, I always have my doubts about smaller MPVs and their ability to deliver on their promises. Unfortunately, my scepticism is valid. For example, the ...
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The Toyota GR86 is less of a sports car and more of a love letter to car and driving enthusiasts. The automotive industry as we know it is now at an impasse. Gone are the days when screaming internal combustion engines were commonplace, now being silenced, literally, by the soulless whirrs of new-fangled electric technology. Electric cars can be extremely quick and efficient, but you just cannot replicate the mechanical symphony of ...
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The highly acclaimed family car gets a full-electric addition to its lineup. The Kia Niro Hybrid launched in Singapore last year to much fanfare. It had all of the features you wanted, a comfortable ride, and it can do all of that whilst still giving you amazing fuel economy. Building on that success, Kia has now deleted the Niro's exhaust pipes and given it an electric whirr instead. Welcome everyone, to the ...
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Although the Maserati Ghibli GT has a downsized heart, it doesn’t compromise on fun and enjoyment. It seems like the days of petrol are truly numbered. With pressure from government entities and eco-conscious institutions, we have started to see a massive shift within the car industry. A shift that abolishes fuel burners in favour of efficient alternative means. No matter what option we pick, the outcome will eventually be the same. The ...
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The Mercedes-Benz EQV takes the tried and true V-class formula and gives it an electric twist. Electric offerings are all the rage these days, with more EVs popping up on the market with each new year. Mercedes-Benz doesn't want to lose out on a slice of this new electric pie, and has gone all out to introduce a new suite of EV products. This is their latest one in Singapore yet. ...
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The BMW XM is M division's take on what a go-anywhere performance plug-in hybrid should be BMW M’s first standalone model since the iconic M1 can do everything, and go everywhere, all at once. You would expect it to, for the best part of $1 million… It may be scarcely believable, but the car tested here is actually only the second time in BMW M’s history that is developed and built as ...
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If you are looking for style and substance wrapped up in a practical package, listen up. The Citroën C5 Aircross may just be the car for you. (updated: 23 September 2023) The turn of the decade saw a sharp increase in the number of crossovers, each touting more benefits than the last. This has subsequently turned consumers into crossover connoisseurs, who now expect a good 3-in-1 deal: Good looks, Practicality, and Effective ...
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