Fast Lane: Mercedes-Benz CLA, Motor Sports Singapore, BMW Art Cars, Wheel Insights
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Long-distance: The new electric CLA has an operating range of up to 792km.
PHOTO: MERCEDES-BENZ
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792km Mercedes-Benz EV
The Mercedes-Benz CLA will be available as an electric vehicle (EV) for the first time in the model’s history. The CLA 250+ with EQ Technology has 200kW of power and can reportedly travel up to 792km on a single charge.
Running on an 800-volt electric architecture, the batteries can be charged at up to 320kW. At this rate, a 10-minute charge can yield up to 325km of operating range.
The electric CLA has a two-speed gearbox on the rear axle. The lower ratio is meant for acceleration and efficiency in urban traffic, while the other ratio is tuned for better efficiency at higher operating speeds.
By the end of 2025, a petrol-hybrid variant will be announced. This will come in three power levels, with the option of either a front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive car.
Unlike the EV version, which has a sealed front grille, the CLA hybrid will have a working radiator grille with a Mercedes-Benz pattern in chrome and an LED illuminated frame.
Singaporean racing challenge
The Singapore Touring Car Challenge ran from March 13 to 15.
PHOTO: MOTUL & HORIZON DRIVERS CLUB
Held from March 13 to 15, the Singapore Touring Car Challenge saw 12 entries competing across two categories at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. The challenge included practice and qualifying sessions before the race on Saturday.
Taking the crown in the Honda Jazz/Fit class was Justin Toh from Bae Racing AGI SG, while Terence Lee from Team R-Engineering took the top spot for the Suzuki Swift class.
The 12-lap sprint was the first circuit racing event in more than a decade for Motor Sports Singapore (MSS), the governing body for all forms of motorsport in the nation.
Mr Winson Ow, president of MSS, said: “Our goal is to continue building a strong grassroots racing community, with a broad variety of disciplines enthusiasts can choose to take part in.
“Given the right platforms and locations, we can dream of one day nurturing Singaporean world champions in motorsport.”
Rolling sculptures go on world tour
Speed art: Models from the BMW Art Car Collection will be on display around the world to mark the 50th anniversary of the initiative.
PHOTO: BMW
BMW is marking the 50th anniversary of its Art Car Collection with a travelling exhibition across five continents, kicking off with Europe and Asia in March. This comprises 20 race cars adorned with unique designs painted by artists through the years.
The youngest Art Car will launch the celebrations. Completed in 2024, the BMW M Hybrid V8 racer was the canvas for American painter Julie Mehretu. It will be shown at Art Basel in Hong Kong from March 28 to 30, and also at the Shanghai auto show in China from April 23 to May 2.
The first Art Car, created by American sculptor Alexander Calder in 1975, competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race that year. The race car will be shown at the Market Art Fair in Stockholm, Sweden, from May 15 to 18.
Find out more about the BMW Art Cars here
Listen: Driverless vehicles are coming
The latest podcast discusses how driverless vehicles will become a reality.
The Straits Times
The latest episode of Wheel Insights, a monthly podcast by The Straits Times, discusses the development of Singapore’s public transport system and the country’s readiness for autonomous vehicles.
Dr Samuel Chng, research assistant professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, also shares his views on how Singapore can go beyond “car-lite” and aspire to be “car-free”. Listen to the episode here
