Fast Lane: BYD’s 1826, Leapmotor debuts, Mercedes-Maybach’s SG60 limo, retro Skoda design

Restaurant that sells 3,000 BYDs

BYD by 1826 is a group of restaurants, and it is also an authorised BYD dealer.

In the latest episode of Wheel Insights, a monthly transport-focused podcast by The Straits Times, the company’s co-founders discuss how they started the business. They also share the secret recipe of selling an average of 250 BYD electric cars a month while providing diners with good food and drinks.

Before its inception, the business idea was to pair food and beverage with selling either cars or property.

The co-founders also talk about their reactions to the current surge in certificate of entitlement (COE) premiums and the role these play in setting car prices. Catch the episode on

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One-of-a-kind SG60 limousine

The Mercedes-Maybach S680 Edition Beyond 60 is a customised version of the brand’s top-end limousine to mark Singapore’s 60th anniversary as an independent country.

Unveiled at the Mercedes-Benz Brand Centre in Alexandra Road on Oct 16, the car features a unique red and silver finish, and carries special badging behind the rear window as well as in the cabin.

The interior is a mix of white Nappa leather with red detailing. Singaporean artist Andre Wee designed the motif of Singapore’s skyline, which is laser-engraved on a piano-black lacquer panel on the dashboard.

Mechanically, the Edition Beyond 60 is identical to the Mercedes-Maybach S680, which has a 6-litre bi-turbo V12 that makes 612hp.

The privilege of owning the only one of its kind in the world will cost the buyer $1.8 million, up from the $1.1 million price tag of the regular Mercedes-Maybach S680.

Skoda’s electric retro sports car

The 110 R is the latest from Skoda’s “icons get a makeover” series, in which models from the Czech carmaker’s archive are given a modern reinterpretation.

The original 110 R, which was made between 1970 and 1980, was a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive car that was successful in rallies and circuits during its time. The new concept is, unsurprisingly, an electric car.

The flared wheel arches and ribbed detailing on the bonnet are inspired by the racing version of the original car, as are the air intakes on the flanks. On the classic Skoda, the vents draw air to cool the engine sitting behind the rear axles. In the electric car, the vents serve to cool the battery.

The reimagined 110 R follows Skoda’s earlier design concepts, which include a funky pickup inspired by the Felicia Fun, and the Favorit, a compact hatchback.

Skoda says there are no plans to bring these concepts into production, but they are meant to reflect the brand’s classic design and heritage.

Leapmotor ready for launch

Leapmotor is another Chinese car brand that is starting business in Singapore. Due to be launched on Oct 29, the brand represented by Cycle & Carriage will be starting with the C10, which has been approved for sale by the Singapore authorities. The electric SUV is roughly as big as the Tesla Model Y, but stands slightly taller by 56mm, at 1,680mm.

Elsewhere, the car is offered as a 150kW electric car and a plug-in hybrid, known as a range-extended electric vehicle. Singapore is poised to get only the electric version, and one that is tuned to fit into the country’s certificate of entitlement (COE) categorisation system, to make 100kW.

Based on data from the Land Transport Authority, the electric car has a claimed energy consumption rate of 18.8kWh/100km, which is identical to the similarly powerful BYD Sealion 7 and higher than the Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive 110’s 15.3kWh/100km.

Leapmotor is a Chinese start-up founded in 2015. In 2023, global motor group Stellantis took a 51 per cent stake in it. This is the third Chinese brand represented by Cycle & Carriage after Maxus and Ora.