Lexus flagship launched here
Lexus' revolutionary fifth-generation LS limousine was launched at Singapore Wine Vault on Thursday. The event was hosted by authorised Lexus agent Borneo Motors, with LS chief designer Koichi Suga in attendance.
The first variant to be put on the road here is the LS350, powered by a normally aspirated 3.6-litre V6 and priced at around $435,000. An LS500, with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 and priced at $80,000 more, will follow. There will also be a LS500h, with a 3.5-litre V6 paired with electric motors.
New Lister car builds on the Jaguar F-Type
British specialist sports carmaker The Lister Motor Co will reveal its first new model for the 21st Century at the Historic Motorsport International at ExCel, London, on Feb 15. Dubbed Thunder (above), the new car is said to be the most rapid, powerful and luxurious Lister ever made in the company's 65 years. Just 99 Thunder cars will be built.
The 666bhp car - actually a tuned up Jaguar F-Type - will have a top speed in excess of 320kmh, and a blistering century sprint time in just more than three seconds.
BMW acquires DriveNow
European car-sharing firm DriveNow has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW Group. The German carmaker has bought over rental car operator Sixt's stake in DriveNow. The rapidly growing mobility services field is one of the cornerstones of the BMW Group's corporate strategy.
The acquisition of DriveNow follows BMW's takeover of Parkmobile LLC - a provider of digital parking solutions - early last month.
Hyundai revamps Santa Fe
Hyundai Motor has unveiled its first rendering of the next-generation Santa Fe sport utility vehicle (above). The exterior highlights a new frontal section, with a "cascading" grille first seen on the Kona compact crossover. The light arrangement is also similar to the Kona's, with slim daytime-running LEDs sitting above the main headlamps. The drawing shows a sleek roof line and side character lines running from the headlights to the taillights.
A shooting brake version of Tesla Model S
The world's first Tesla-based production shooting brake has been created by Norfolk-based coachbuilder QWest. The carbon-fibre specialist gave a Tesla Model S 90D (above) more stowage capacity, while maintaining the electric car's century sprint of under three seconds. The car is slightly larger than the sedan Model S, but surprisingly 12kg lighter.
Seat launches Cupra
It seems every brand wants to have a sub-brand. Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand Seat has launched its new Cupra brand name (above), which will feature the sportiest Seat models.
The new brand will make its official debut on Feb 22, with the first Cupra models rolling out at the beginning of next month during the Geneva International Motor Show.
A roomier Fiat Tipo
Fiat's new Tipo hatchback (above) promises class-leading interior space, with engines starting from a 95hp 1.4-litre. Beneath the car's clean-cut design is a roomy cabin and a 440-litre boot (550-litre for station wagon version).
