Local News
Cycle & Carriage Kia launches facelifted Picanto and Rio
Singapore’s official distributor of Kia cars, Cycle & Carriage Kia has officially unveiled the facelifted versions of the Picanto and Rio. Major change on the outside is the incorporation of the company’s Schreyer grille.
The new Picanto is now offered with 15-inch Black Flower wheels, black bezel headlamps, rear combination lamps, tinted glass, front fog lamps as well as a sports fuel lid. Inside you will find updates including new sports pedals, semi-leather upholstery with yellow piping, leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob, rearseat headrests, driver seat height adjuster, rear seat split folding, front and rear power windows. There is also keyless entry.
The Rio on the other hand is now fitted with a new front bumper, rear diffuser with muffler, body-coloured side moulding, new fog lamps as well as darkened headlamps and tail lamps. Interior features are made up by a new instrument cluster, new steering wheel, new gear stick, chrome pedals, 2-tone designer seats along with auxiliary and USB connectivity.
Pricing wise the Kia Picanto can be yours for S$42,499 while pricing for the Rio starts from S$48,499.
Fuel prices slashed ahead of Chinese New Year
Fuel stations have dropped prices across all grades of petrol and diesel ahead of the Chinese New Year. Pump prices for petrol have been dropped by three cents per liter and four cents per liter for diesel. 92-octane now costs S$1.757 while 95 and 98-octane are priced at S$1.726 and S$1.805 respectively. Diesel carries a S$1.209 per liter price tag.
Skoda Superb Combi to hit Singaporean shores in April
Thinking to get an estate? Well here is another option that can be added to your list: the Skoda Superb Combi. This estate version of the Superb was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and it will be launched here in Singapore in April. We will be getting is the 1.8 TSI model offered with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG).
The engine is able to develop 160hp and 250Nm of torque. The Combi measures 4,838 mm long, 1,817 mm wide and 1,510 mm high and features a luggage compartment that is rated at 644 liters. The space in this area can also be increased to 1,865 liters if you fold the rear backrests down.
The Combi that will be launched here is expected to include features such as Parallel Parking Assistance, Columbus navigation system with DVD player, Adaptive Frontlight System, 18“ sports wheels, bluetooth connectivity and more. The Skoda Superb Combi is available for order now and each will set you back S$129,800. More images available after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Chevrolet Singapore reveals the SS package for the Cruze
Chevrolet’s Singapore division has launched a sporty package for the Cruze compact sedan. The package which is called the SS is made up by front, rear, left and right skirting, a rear spoiler, 17-inch wheels with Falken rubber as well as illuminated scuff plates. The package costs S$4,980 and can be seen at the Chevrolet Center in Ubi Road.
The Chevrolet Cruze goes for S$57,388 and that will get you the 1.6 model with 107 PS and a 5-speed manual. The top of the line spot is taken up by the 139 PS 1.8 model with a 6-speed automatic. Continue reading to view two images in high-res fashion. Read the rest of this entry.
Pre-owned options for MINI, Porsche, Opel, Saab and Rolls Royce
Singapore’s official distributor of MINI, Porsche, Opel, Saab and Rolly Royce vehicles Eurokars has launched a new showroom that offers pre-owned vehicles of the above-mentioned brands. The company first launched the program in April last year and now has a showroom situated at The Alexcier at 237 Alexandra Road.
The company confirmed all pre-owned cars will undergo comprehensive check procedures before they are sold. Furthermore, potential buyers of pre-owned MINIs, Porsches and Rolls Royces will enjoy extended factory warranty packages.
Audi A5 Sportback launched in Singapore
Audi has officially launched the A5 Sportback for the Singaporean market. The Sportback which is a 5-door coupe measures 4,711 mm long, 1,854 mm wide and 1,391 mm high. It’s wheelbase is rated at 2,810 mm. It has a rear hatch that features an electrically actuated lock and it opens to a 480-liter trunk. The space can be increased to 980 liters if the rear seats are folded.
The A5 Sportback is offered with two engine options including a 2.0 liter TFSI that makes 211hp and 350Nm of torque. This engine is mated to an S-tronic dual clutch transmission. There is also a 3.2 liter variant with 265hp and 330Nm of torque. Both models feature Audi’s all wheel drive configuration (quattro). The former goes for S$174,500 while the latter can be yours for S$201,800. Please click here to learn more about the Audi A5 Sportback. You can also get an ABT package for the Sportback from Autovox Pte. Ltd.
Road closures on Christmas Day
Several roads will be closed on Christmas Day which falls on this Friday, December 25th. The road closures will make way for the Celebrate Christmas event that is expected to attract about 10,000 visitors. Roads affected include Orchard Road which is between Scotts Road and Bideford Road as well as Mount Elizabeth road heading towards Orchard Road, between Nutmeg Road and Orchard Road. Please contact 9037 8938 for more information pertaining to the road closures.
All new Volkswagen Polo launched in Singapore!
The Volkswagen Polo Mk V has been officially introduced into the Singaporean market. This Mk V variant, which in my honest opinion is the best looking Polo thus far, features a clean and uncluttered exterior styling, something also evident with other recent cars by Volkswagen including the Golf Mk6, Scirocco and the gorgeous Passat CC.
The front end has hints of the latest generation Golf while the rear end is highlighted by taillights that are more squarish compared to the model it replaces, which is good. Overall, the Polo Mk V is a step forward in terms of design. It looks less ’roundish’ and definitely looks more aggressive thanks to a wider looking stance. The Mk V is now longer by 36 mm and wider by 32 mm.
The interior has been refreshed as well and looks slightly more premium than the Mk IV model. Thanks to the slight increase in size, head, shoulder and legroom have all been improved. The surface on the instrument penal in the new Polo also features something called slush technology that basically provides a soft-touch feel. The instrument panel is also treated to white backlighting, just like the latest Golf.
The latest generation Polo also comes with an electronic engine immobilizer, rear parking sensors, RCD 210 audio with single CD and MP3 function, semi-automatic air conditioning and more. From a practicality point of view, the Polo has a glove compartment with cooling, a front centre armrest with a storage box and a foldable rear cup holder as well as drawers under the front seats, which are all pretty important for a vehicle of this segment. The back rest on rear seats can be folded down via a 60:40 spilt as well.
Power to the front wheels comes from a 1.4 liter petrol unit that is able to produce 85hp at 5,000 revs and 132Nm of torque at 3,800 revs. 0 – 100 km/h will take 11.9 seconds and top speed is figured at 177 km/h. For the local market, the Polo Mk V comes standard with Volkswagen’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, better known as DSG which is one of my most favorite cog-boxes out there. Gear shifts are seamless with this type of transmission. The transmission also blips on downshifts.
According to the specifications released by the automaker, the Polo consumes 5.8 liters of fuel to deliver 100 kilometers (combined) while outputting 135 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer which sounds pretty good. Safety wise, the German hatchback with an impressive 5-star Euro NCAP rating has ABS, ESP (Electronic Stabilization Program) and crash active front headrests, apart from airbags, Hill Hold Control and more. It also comes with Isofix anchorage points, good new for young married couples out there. Other highlight features include speed sensitive power-assited steering and an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL).
The Volkswagen Polo Mk V has a MacPherson strut setup up front and a torsion beam rear suspension. Based on what Volkswagen has in its current line up, I am actually looking forward to some good feedback in regards to the handling and ride comfort. Pricing of the all new Volkswagen Polo starts from S$ 63,300. For more information please make your way to www.polo.sg. Look for an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
