First Japanese MPV with turbo
Honda has launched the Jade six-seater, the first Japanese MPV with a turbo engine.
With 150bhp and 203Nm of torque from 1,600rpm, the 1.5-litre Jade promises to be a zippy ride for the family. It also promises to be efficient, owing to its continuously variable transmission.
It has a stated economy of 6.4 litres/100km, which may explain why its fuel tank is only 47 litres. With a small displacement, its road tax is light too.
The car is generously equipped, with premium features such as LED headlamps, keyless system, cruise control and paddle shifters.
It is priced at $125,999 with three years servicing, five years unlimited mileage warranty and one-year road tax.
2017 GT-R revealed
Nissan's giant-slaying GT-R is renewed with a thoroughly refreshed exterior and tweaks in the cabin and under the bonnet.
Changes include a new front bumper, daytime-running LEDs and a new matte chrome finish grille. The grille has been enlarged to increase airflow to cool the engine without causing any additional drag.
The car gets a new bonnet, which is stiffer and more aerodynamic.
Output for the GT-R's 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6 has been increased by 20bhp to 570bhp.
The management control of the sequential six-speed dual-clutch transmission has been updated for better refinement and performance.
Stylish, compact SUV
Kia's latest Sportage is a stylish compact SUV that will tempt those who are tired of the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4.
The car is bigger all round, measuring 4,480mm long and 1,855mm wide, with a wheelbase of 2,670mm.
Its height remains unchanged at 1,635mm but its drag coefficient has improved from 0.35 to 0.3 Cd. It sits on 18-inch wheels.
Powered by a 2-litre 155bhp engine mated to a six-speed autobox, the new Sportage starts from $119,999.
Best-performing Renault
The Renault Clio RS16 is the highest-performance Renault road-going vehicle ever.
Unveiled to mark the 40th anniversary of Renault Sport and Renault's return to Formula One as a constructor, the 2-litre 275bhp, 360Nm RS16 promises to sizzle.
Its body is 60mm wider than the previous RS and it is shod with 19-inch wheels.
Motorbikes with emergency call function
BMW will roll out emergency call function in its motorbikes.
The system works in three ways: automatic triggering in the case of a bad fall or collision; automatic triggering in the case of a minor fall or collision (with 25-second lag in case rider wants to cancel) and manual triggering by rider pressing a button.
Emergency call function is becoming increasingly common in luxury brand cars, but this is the first for bikes.
Special M3 to mark
30 years BMW is launching a special edition of the M3 to mark the 30th anniversary of the iconic model.
The Edition "30 Years M3", in Macao Blue, is largely an M3 Competition Package car with cosmetic tweaks. It includes an increase in engine output by 19bhp to 450bhp, adaptive suspension and an Active M differential on the rear axle.
The BMW M3 "30 Years M3" sprints to 100kmh in just four seconds - 0.1 second quicker than the standard M3.
Last of Kawasaki's W-series
Kawasaki is marking the end of its W-series bikes with a limited production run for the 2017 season.
Suitably christened the W800 "Final Edition", the last model in the line is in Candy Brown and Candy Sunset Orange paint.
The W-series first emerged from the Kawasaki factory in Akashi, Japan, in the mid-1960s.
Its air-cooled four-stroke vertical-twin engine displaces 773cc.
The family tree goes back to the 1966 W1.
Suzuki agent now in Alexandra Road
Suzuki agent Champion Motors has relocated to The Alexcier in Alexandra Road. The move to the premium Alexandra-Leng Kee Road motor belt is designed to "positively enhance Suzuki's brand visibility".
After-sales services will remain in Champion's old address in Pandan Crescent.
The move is also a full circle for Champion, which was in Leng Kee Road in the late-1980s before moving to Pandan Crescent.
Merc to use particulate filters for petrol engines
Mercedes-Benz plans to use particulate filters for its petrol engines - the first manufacturer to do so. Starting with the S-class, the filter will reduce soot emissions even further.
Such filters have been used in diesel engines with considerable success.
Meanwhile, Mercedes will launch a new four-cylinder diesel engine for the latest E-class. These are part of the company's €3-billion (S$4.6-billion) engine development programme.
Christopher Tan
