Fastest Ferrari
Ferrari will show off its most powerful and fastest road-going car yet at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The 812 Superfast is powered by a new 6.5-litre front-mounted V12 that unleashes 800bhp and 718Nm - 80 per cent of which is available from 3,500rpm. Its dual-clutch transmission has specific gear ratios which, combined with shorter up- and down-shifting times, sharpen throttle response further. The 812 Superfast hits 100kmh in 2.9 seconds and a top speed in excess of 340kmh.
New Lambo hits 100kmh in 2.9 seconds
Lamborghini's Aventador S has landed. The new flagship Lambo has enhanced aerodynamics, a new all-wheel steering system, and tweaked suspension and drive modes. Its V12 puts out 740bhp, enabling the Raging Bull to reach 100kmh in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 350kmh. It is priced from $1,628,000 without COE.
Another battery-powered Peugeot
Peugeot is set to expand its range of electric vehicles with the launch of a battery-powered version of its Partner Tepee. The Partner Tepee Electric has a range of over 160km and offers a high level of connectivity. Air-conditioning and battery charging can be remotely controlled from a smartphone or tablet. Driving aids include hill-assist start, cruise control and reverse camera. Its battery is guaranteed for eight years or 98,000km.
Porsche 911 R a sell-out
All four units of the Porsche 911 R assigned to Singapore have been snapped up. Priced from $831,088, the rarefied Porsche is a sports car for those who hanker for a naturally aspirated engine and a stick shift. It is powered by a 4-litre non-turbo flat-six producing 500bhp. Regulated by a shot-throw six-speed manual transmission, it delivers power to the rear axle. From a standing start, it hits 100kmh in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 322kmh.
NeuV's ride-sharing role
Honda's NeuV is a fully electric concept car with a unique ownership proposition and a state-of- the-art "emotion engine" that can learn about its driver. It is supposed to be able to function as an automated ride-sharing vehicle when the owner is not using it. It would pick up and drop off customers at local destinations, and could also sell energy back to the electric grid when it is sitting idle, monetising the vehicle's down time. NeuV's "emotion engine" would be able to learn from the driver's past decisions to make new choices and recommendations.
Ford studies cameras to reduce bumpy rides
Ford models such as the Galaxy, Mondeo and S-Max already use onboard sensors for Continuously Controlled Damping with Pothole Mitigation, which detects potholes and adjusts the suspension to help reduce any potential damage. Ford engineers are now researching the use of cameras and embedded modems to create an active suspension system designed to reduce the impact of bumps and rough road surfaces.
BMW Alpina B7's 3.7-second century sprint
The 4.4-litre bi-turbo V8 BMW Alpina B7 puts out 600bhp and 800Nm of torque.
The superlative long-wheelbase limo - packed with more features than a 7-series - clocks a 3.7-second century sprint and a top speed of 330kmh. It is priced at $730,000 with COE.
Limited-production BMW sold here
A $688,800 BMW M4 GTS has been sold here. It is one of a limited production run of 700 units. The car uses the same 3-litre turbocharged engine as the M3 and M4, but adds innovative water injection technology for a substantial power boost.
The water injection system raises the engine's output to 500bhp and 600Nm from 431bhp and 550Nm in the M4 Coupe. This allows the M4 GTS to hit 100kmh in 3.8 seconds and a regulated top speed of 305kmh.
Audi's milestones in e-book
Audi has launched an e-book commemorating its milestones.
Titled Anniversary Dates 2017, it provides information about the most important events in the German company's history. Such as in 1967, NSU, Audi's predecessor, launched the twin-rotor Wankel- engined Ro 80.
In 1937, racing legend Bernd Rosemeyer broke speed records by exceeding 400kmh for the first time on a normal road using an Auto Union 16-cylinder streamline-racing car.
Danger of data leaks in resold cars
With phone pairing an increasingly common feature in cars, researchers have highlighted the danger of information that is left in the car when it is sold to another person. Like information that is somehow undeleted in recycled hard drives, personal data can be leaked when cars with high connectivity are resold. Similarly, phones paired with cars may continue to track them even after they have changed hands.
Velar the avant-garde Range Rover
Range Rover's new Velar sits between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. It will be unveiled next month and will arrive in Singapore by early next year. Referred to internally as the avant-garde Range Rover, the Velar is expected to be as ground-breaking as the Evoque was.
Fast and luxurious Audi
Audi's latest SQ5 is powered by a 354bhp 3-litre turbocharged V6. With 500Nm of torque available from a low revolutions per minute, it hits 100kmh in 5.4 seconds. Equipped with electronic damper control, Audi Connect, fine Nappa leather, 20-inch alloy wheels and Audi drive select, it is as luxurious as it is fast. Matrix LED lights, a virtual cockpit, head-up display and predictive efficiency assistant are other key options. The car is likely to arrive here next year.
Lexus most dependable brand in US
JD Power's 2017 Vehicle Dependability Study has found Lexus to be the most dependable brand in the US market, followed by Porsche and Toyota. At the bottom of the list were Infiniti, Jeep and Fiat, in that order.
Christopher Tan
