Fast Lane: Rolls-Royce Ghost here by end 2025, supercar lovers form Stradale Singapore to do good
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Wafting in: The Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II made its debut in Singapore on Jan 15.
PHOTO: ROLLS-ROYCE
Rolls-Royce Ghost makes Asia-Pacific debut
Around 80 guests were invited to a one-day presentation of the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II at Air CCCC restaurant in Dempsey Road on Jan 15.
Singapore is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to be presented with the updated V12 limousine.
The most obvious differences – from the earlier version that was launched in 2020 – are the slim daytime running light graphic on the headlight and a front grille that has fewer vertical vents. The left hand-drive car brought to Singapore for the launch was finished in Mustique Blue, a colour Rolls-Royce created for the model.
The updated Ghost costs $1.86 million before certificate of entitlement (COE) and options. Commissioned cars are expected to arrive by the end of 2025.
Supercar owners pitch in
High octane charity: A group of supercar owners have been organising “anonymous giving” initiatives since April 2024.
PHOTO: STRADALE SINGAPORE
A group of 40 supercar owners started an anonymous giving effort in April through Stradale Singapore, a “ground-up movement” and enthusiast group to help those in need.
These are owners of cars from brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce.
Over three gatherings since it began, the participants have contributed more than $12,000 in cash, 100 food packages and other support for families, students and migrant workers, among other efforts.
At the meet-ups, the supercar owners write down causes they have helped individually. These cards are kept to remind one another of their collective effort.
Stradale Singapore’s community coordinator Yuen Siu Mun told The Straits Times: “Our vision is that each time we get together, we also make a conscious effort to give to a good cause or render help. So every meet is beyond our love for cars. It’s about sharing kindness too.”
The next gathering is on Jan 19 at Grand Mercure Roxy Singapore, where the club is holding its Chinese New Year lunch.
Those keen to join can send the club a direct message on Instagram (@stradale_singapore).
Wheel Insights podcast speaks with a repo man
Tow away zone: Mr Jim Koh, 39, relates his experience of repossessing vehicles for finance companies and couples who have fallen out of love.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
As an 18-year-old, Mr Jim Koh successfully located and brought back a motorcycle for his boss, jump-starting his unusual career as a vehicle repossessor. Since then, he has started his own company that tows vehicles and helps financial institutions and individuals locate cars, motorcycles or prime movers that have gone missing.
In the latest episode of Wheel Insights, a monthly podcast by ST on transport-related topics, Mr Koh relates some of his experiences over the past 16 years, which include finding dismantled motorcycles hidden in living rooms and bringing cars that have gone missing in Malaysia back to Singapore.
Listen to the episode at str.sg/E73P
Seven-seater Volkswagen Tayron replaces Tiguan AllSpace
Multi-seater: The Volkswagen Tayron is a mid-sized SUV with seven seats.
PHOTO: VOLKSWAGEN
Volkswagen has started taking orders for the Tayron in Britain. This is a mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) that is related to the current generation Tiguan with similar powertrain options, starting from a 148hp, 1.5-litre mild-hybrid engine.
The Tayron replaces the Tiguan Allspace, which is an elongated version of the Tiguan, enabling the option to have a third row of seats. Although the Allspace is available in Malaysia, the seven-seater SUV was never sold in Singapore.
The spokesperson for Volkswagen Group Singapore told ST that there are currently no plans to offer the Tayron. This leaves the large electric ID. Buzz as the only seven-seater car in the line-up here.
