JAPAN’S NO.1 CAR MAGAZINE TURNS INTO SINGAPORE!
S$6.00 MAY 2011
BEST SCOOP
BEST SHOWDOWN
HONDA’S BEST VS NISSAN’S BEST
TREND-SETTING HYBRIDS AND EVS TWO-DAY TEST DRIVE: NISSAN LEAF SUBARU’S MINIVAN COMEBACK
CR-Z SUPERCHARGED
BEST EVENT
GENEVA AUTO SHOW BEST WHIZBANGS
BEST A-LIST
BEST GOURMET
ROLLING WITH BRIDGESTONE’S POTENZA
HIDETOSHI NAKATA GRACES OUR SHORES
A TASTE OF PG112 SUMMER AT THE Free Gifts! REGENT
Serial Feature:
HISTORY OF JAPANESE GT S VOL. 3
W W W. B E S T CA R . S G
スーパーチャージャー
IF
you have ever heard an engine running without a muffler, then you would be able to distinguish a vast aural difference between it and its muffler-equipped counterpart. The key lies in the muffler box, a deceptively simple part as finely tuned as a musical instrument. Take a muffler box apart and you will find little tubes and holes within. These criss-crossing air passages are designed to reflect sound waves from a car’s engine such that they cancel each other out. Though this results in a quieter car, the restricted and conflicting airflow also takes
away a substantial amount of power— thus changing the rear muffler box is thus an easy way to obtain power and aural aggression. And no one knows more about the art of crafting exhausts than Remus. The veteran German brand has engineered a sports muffler specifically for Subaru Impreza 1.5R, made from aircraftquality 304 and 441 stainless steel. The muffler features low resistance and highflow characteristics that greatly increase horsepower and torque while producing a signature boxer burble. Even better, it is LTA-approved, and allows drivers to enjoy increased performance without worries. Thanks to the fine folks at BMS, we have a brand new Remus muffler (worth $1,280) to give away to one lucky reader!
“Like” Best Car Singapore on Facebook by 30 June and stand a chance to win a Remus muffler worth $1,280!
www.facebook.com/bestcar.sg
CONTENTS
TA B L E O F
目 次
6 24
ス ク ープ
BESTSCOOP 6
RETURNING TO THE DRAWING BOARD
イベ ント
BESTEVENTS 24
Best Car selects some of the best Japanese offerings exhibited at the Geneva Auto Show.
Honda plans its high-performance return! 12
HERE COME THE TRENDSETTERS!
Hybrids and EVs are poised to become the cars of the next generation. 18
SUBARU’S SECOND COMING
As far as Subaru is concerned, it is never too late to return to the drawing board. 19
NISSAN LEAF UNWRAPPED
Best Car takes Nissan Leaf for the ultimate 2-day test.
THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW!
レ ポ ー ト
BESTREPORT-O! 50
54 デ ビ ュ ー
BESTDEBUTANT 44
FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND SECOND TAKES
This month, we take a second glance at 11 cars launched in 2010.
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We Are Looking... If you have a story to tell, or would like to contribute to Best Car, drop us an email at bestcar@comm.com.sg.
BEST CAR OEM REPORT!
Best Car takes a closer look at the recently launched Nissan Moco and Mitsubishi Delica D:2.
BEST CAR READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
We select 14 new eco cars and compacts, and ask our readers to choose their top three favourites!
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対 決
BESTA-LIST
BESTSHOWDOWN 58
THE HONDA-NISSAN SHOWDOWN!
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特 集
BESTFEATURE
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THE HISTORY OF JAPANESE GTS: VOL. 3
To end our serial feature, Best Car’s three automotive experts return with their thoughts on the evolution and future of Japanese GTs.
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SUPER CARLIFE VOL. 4
Koji “Prince” Aoyama drives his first rally car with 2-time PWRC champion Toshihiro Arai in the passenger seat. 90
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BRIDGING THE GAP AT BRIDGESTONE
Bridgestone Asia Pacific’s Marketing Manager, Shin Mukaikubo, speaks with us about Bridgestone’s commitment to customer service. 92
ガ ジ ェ ッ ト：ラ イ フ ス タ イ ル
BESTWHIZBANGS: LIFESTYLE 98
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フ ァッシ ョ ン
BESTRUNWAY 100
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CROWNING GLORY
Read up on the one and only 2-door Toyota Crown to hit Singapore’s streets! ガ ジ ェ ッ ト： 車
BESTWHIZBANGS: CARS 96
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TYRE TEST: BRIDGESTONE POTENZA ADRENALIN RE002
We test Bridgestone’s newest “baby”, the POTENZA Adrenalin RE002!
MAY DATE! MAY DATE!
Kei and Hiromi kick back at the vibrant Hotel Re! 106
DATE NIGHT
These new looks are perfect for a night around town! ラ イ フ ス タ イル
BESTLIFESTYLE 108
We take to the streets of Long Beach, California, to bring you the scoop on the inaugural round of the 2011 Formula Drift!
BESTFANS
HOT PLAYLIST
Put your jazz hat on and sway to these relaxing tunes.
FORMULA DRIFT: STREETS OF LONG BEACH
ファン
HOT REELS
Who says that dramas cannot be exciting?
FUN CAR LABORATORY VOL.6
Terry Itoh acknowledges the impact of the full-sized minivan on the modern Japanese family, and makes an example of the new Nissan Elgrand.
HONDA HOMECOMING?
Honda’s F1 team bowed out of the competition in 2008, but speculation is rife that it is planning a comeback!
PLAY YOUR PART
S.League Cares, Take Action! and Albirex Niigata Singapore invited Japanese footballing royalty, Hidetoshi Nakata, to town for a charity match on 2 April.
Best Car explores the heated rivalry between Honda and Nissan!
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988ONLINE: SINGAPORE’S FIRST INTERNET BROADCAST STATION, IN FULL AUDIO 108 AND VIDEO!
With a bevy of additional features and compelling programmes, 988online promises to make waves in the local broadcast scene! グ ル メ
BESTGOURMET 110
A TASTE OF SUMMER
Experience the delicate flavours of authentic Cantonese cuisine at Summer Palace. ギ フト
BESTGIFTS 112
FREEBIES R US
You Like, we give, you take.
1
BEST SCOOP
ホ ン ダ ス ポ ー ツ は ハ イ ブ リッド
＋ スー パ ー チャー ジャー で いく
RETURNING TO THE
DRAWING BOARD Honda plans its high-performance return… without sacrificing fuel efficiency!
T
oday’s bestselling cars are those with the most innovative engines and the lowest fuel consumptions: drivers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environment while demanding the newest automotive technologies. As it turned out, the Geneva Motor Show visitors were most impressed by Toyota’s FT-86II, 7-seater Prius minivan, Compact Hybrid, and Vitz Hybrid. And competitors like Nissan and Subaru have also risen to the challenge of combining performance and fuel efficiency. But no other automaker is as closely watched as Honda. At the Honda booth at the Tokyo Auto Show, a large message board was erected so visitors could leave notes (For more, see pg. 72). Unsurprisingly, many expressed hope for Honda’s next sports model and its eventual return to F1. Its President, Takanobu Ito, said that its highperformance mo-
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スク ープ
HKS’s 1.2ℓ engine features a Lysholm supercharger, and combines performance and fuel efficiency.
The NA 2ℓ K20A engine to be equipped in the new CR-Z may have a supercharger, but research is still ongoing.
The new CR-Z’s carbon-fibre parts will offset the additional weight of its supercharger.
HONDA POWERSPORTS’ NEWEST TECHNOLOGIES ARE SUPERCHARGED HYBRIDS! A ¥0.5~1 MILLION* PRICE INCREASE IS EXPECTED. * Prices are only indicative of the Japanese automotive market. For local pricing, please contact the relevant dealerships.
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BEST SCOOP
FT-86II is not the only new car to watch for.
HERE COME THE
TREND-SETTERS! 3月1日 日本車が変わる!
THESE NEW AND ENHANCED CARS WERE UNVEILED ON 1 MARCH!
New eco-friendly automotive technologies emerged as a result of increasing environmental awareness. In particular, hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) are poised to become the cars of the next generation. Performance upgrades and affordability will likely boost their popularity, prompting automakers to modify their existing, conventional models—and this was evident at the Geneva Auto Show.
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スク ープ
INFINITI ETHEREA Etherea will compete with Lexus CT 200h, and maybe, just maybe, trigger a hybrid hatchback craze.
The rear is attentioncatching, and the half moon-shaped C-pillar is one-of-a-kind!
INFINITI ETHEREA Nissan arrived at the Geneva Auto Show with its Townpod—which debuted at last year’s Paris Auto Show— Leaf EV, and 1.2ℓ supercharged Micra (March). It also unveiled the commercial models of two of its concepts, one of which was Infiniti Etherea. Like Toyota’s Lexus and Honda’s Acura, Infiniti flies the flag for Nissan in the luxury category. Although Nissan classifies Etherea as a 5-door hatchback, its proportions are closely similar to a 4-door coupe’s. A combination of a coupe and sedan, hinting at the design direction Infiniti is taking, it resembles Essence. Indeed, Etherea’s distinctive front mask, triangular windows, half moon-shaped C-pillar, and body shape represent a marriage between Nissan’s old and new design sensibilities. Etherea’s overall length is 4.4m, and rumour has
it that its overall width will be 1780mm and its overall height, 1430mm. It will directly compete with the 4320mm x 1765mm x 1450mm Lexus CT 200h, which launched in January. Nissan has been mum about Etherea’s powertrain, but the “Hybrid” logo on the front door says much. Currently, Nissan’s only hybrid system is Fuga Hybrid’s 3.5ℓ V6 and electric motor twin clutch combo, but the new Serena Hybrid—launching in February 2012—will have a 2ℓ inline-4 engine and electric motor in the FF layout. (Nissan is currently exploring the possibilities of this configuration with engines of varying capacities.) Etherea will share Serena Hybrid’s 2ℓ engine and electric motor hybrid system, and will be set in the FF layout. This indicates that FF will be the layout-ofchoice in Infiniti models, following the release of G20 (Nissan Primera). Though the Infiniti brand is still unavailable in Japan, the base Etherea will likely be commercially available for ¥3.5 million* by September 2013.
Though the distance between the back of the front wheel arch and bulkhead is typical of the FR layout, Etherea is actually a 2ℓ FF hybrid; a “Hybrid” logo adorns its front doors.
Etherea’s overall length is a manoeuverable 4.4m.
BEST EVENTS イベ ント
Japanese automakers unveil their most innovative designs and powertrain technologies!
THE
GENEVA AUTO SHOW! つ い に 出 た ! 市 販 型 に 急 接 近 ！！
Toyota FT-86II Concept
Since 1 March, Japanese automakers raced to unveil their latest and greatest technologies. And we select some of the best offerings.
Two years ago, the remarkable FT-86 was launched at the Tokyo Auto Salon. And its successor FT-86II Concept was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show amidst much fanfare.
ON THE OUTSIDE
The retail model of Toyota’s FT-86II will likely share its Concept’s design. The newly designed FT-86II is even more attractive than the original!
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FT-86II has an overall length of 4235mm— 75mm longer than before—and an overall width of 1760mm—35mm wider. The front and rear fenders have been adjusted to accommodate the new tyre arches. The front fenders feature streamlined air outlets. FT-86II’s front has been redesigned. The wide octagonal intake grille compliments the imposing headlights, and the nose’s tip is lower than before. The horizontal engine enhances the
designs of the A-Pillars and hood. LED lights are installed in the place of front bumper air intakes. Unfortunately, it is still not clear whether these features will make it to the retail model. The rear is even more striking than before. The centre of the bumper protrudes, and the rear combination lamps share the headlights’ shape. The mufflers are located on either side of the diffuser. The newly designed diffuser beneath the bumper gives FT-86II a sportier finish. Unfortunately, no details about the cabin were disclosed.
FT-86II debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, but its cabin remains a mystery.
With the exception of its headlights, FT-86II has been redesigned since the last Tokyo Motor Show.
FT-86II is larger than the prototype exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show.
215/50R16 tyres. Exact pricing will be announced just before FT-86II’s launch. But rumour has it that the base model will cost around ¥2.3 million*, and the standard grade will retail between ¥2.5~2.6 million*. FT-86II’s production has been moved to January 2012, and retail will follow in either February or March. The engine is installed further towards the rear.
1 The deceptively simple rear wing was thoroughly researched to improve air flow. 2 FT-86II sports a noticeably larger front grille. 1
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3 FT-86II’s rear combination lamps receive a fresh design. 4 The front fenders’ newly designed air outlets facilitate the release of hot air.
5 The rear bumper and diffuser have been heavily modified. And an exhaust control plate now separates the two mufflers. 6 Tyre size is 251/40R18, one size larger than the standard. The brakes are larger too.
SOURCES DISCLOSED THAT FT-86II’S RIDE WILL BE NOTHING SHORT OF ASTOUNDING.
FT-86II’S BODY IS LARGER OVERALL. THE COMMERCIAL MODEL MAY BE SHORTER THAN 1795MM. M AY 2 0 1 1
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BEST REPORT – O! レ ポ ー ト
BEST CAR
OEM REPORT! 話 題 の ＯＥＭ 車 の 最 新 情 報をお届け!
Considering the number of Japanese OEM cars, it appears far too many automakers are straying from specialisation while wanting bigger pieces of the automotive pie, so now, we take a closer look at the recently launched Nissan Moco and Mitsubishi Delica D:2.
DAIHATSU-BASED OEM CARS
Though Trezia is heavily based on Ractis, Subaru’s engineers have been involved since its development stage. The difference lies in the cars’ bumpers and bonnets.
TOYOTA-BASED OEM CARS
Toyota Ractis
Subaru Trezia
Daihatsu Materia
Daihatsu Vigo
Toyota Rush
Toyota bB Subaru Dex
Daihatsu’s cars were the bases for many of Toyota’s OEM cars. In 2007, after Subaru joined forces with Toyota, Daihatsu also supplied the base for Subaru’s lightweight Dex. Daihatsu Atrai Wagon
Daihatsu Tanto Exe Daihatsu Mira Daihatsu Boon
Toyota Passo
Daihatsu Boon Luminas
Toyota Passo Sette
NISSAN-BASED OEM CARS
Subaru Pleo
Subaru Lucra
SUZUKI-BASED OEM CARS
Nissan Serena
Suzuki Landy
Nissan KIX
Suzuki Wagon R
Suzuki MR Wagon
Currently, Nissan’s only OEM car is Serena, but it plans to supply Mitsubishi with luxury sedans and commercial vehicles soon.
MITSUBISHI-BASED OEM CARS
Subaru Sambar Dias Wagon
Nissan Moco Mazda AZ Wagon
Suzuki Palette Nissan Roox
Suzuki Alto
Mitsubishi Pajero Mini Nissan Clipper Rio
Suzuki Jimny Mazda AZ-Offroad
Mazda Carol
Mitsubishi Town Box Suzuki Solio Nissan Otti
Suzuki Every Wagon Mazda Scram Wagon
Mitsubishi eK Wagon
Mitsubishi and Nissan’s partnership began in 2006, when Mitsubishi first supplied Nissan with light vehicles. Since then, both automakers have started a joint company that specialises in the development and manufacture of light vehicles.
Suzuki has an extensive OEM car line-up. Since 1989, its Wagon R has been sold as Mazda AZ Wagon. Nissan has been producing Moco—based on MR Wagon—since 2002, while Mitsubishi Delica D:2 was based on Suzuki Solio.
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Mitsubishi Delica D:2
Beginning May, Mazda will produce Nissan Premacy on an OEM basis.
Suzuki MR Wagon clocks 25.5km/ℓ without Idling Stop.
NISSAN MOCO In 2002, Nissan Moco—based on Suzuki MR Wagon—premiered as its automaker’s first light vehicle. At the time, Nissan’s light vehicle share was only 3.4 percent, despite having OEM agreements with both Suzuki and Mitsubishi. Supply continued over the years, resulting in the production of more cars. In 2009, Nissan’s 8.7 percent light vehicle share surpassed Honda’s. This was largely due to Moco’s popularity: by October 2010, 480,000 units had been manufactured.
Moco is stylish and fuelefficient.
T H E FA S H I O N A B L E
Moco arrives with the newly developed R06A inline-3 DOHC engine.
The third generation Moco launched on 15 February, and retains its original appeal. It features a modified front mask and bumper, as well as enlarged headlights. We fully expect these design enhancements to become trademarks. Moco is a light-frame wagon, measuring 3395mm x 1475mm x 1625mm. Its 2120mm wheel base stretches cabin length by 180mm, providing more knee space for passengers in the rear seats. It is equipped with the newly developed R06A engine—shared by MR Wagon— and despite the absence of Idling Stop, the naturally-aspirated (NA) model has excellent fuel economy. A turbocharged model that generates 64bhp is also available.
NISSAN MOCO
Like its predecessors, the new Nissan Moco is appealing and unique.
Moco’s cabin is both comfortable and spacious. Its long wheel base stretches cabin length to 2120mm and provides ample legroom. 1260mm cabin height ensures abundant headroom. Nissan Moco X (2WD) Specifications**
Moco’s instrument panel is attractive and easy to use, just like an iPad! A touch panel audio upgrade is also available.
Overall length x overall width x overall height
3395mm x 1475mm x 1625mm
Interior length x interior width x interior height
2120mm x 1285mm x 1260mm
Wheel base
2120mm
Vehicle weight
810kg
Engine
Inline-3 DOHC
Total displacement
658cc
Maximum power
54bhp/6500rpm
Maximum torque
6.4kgm/4000rpm
Transmission
CVT
Price*
¥1.2 million
Moco S: ¥1.1 million*; Moco X: ¥1.2 million*; Moco X with touch panel audio and rear monitor: ¥1.2 million*; Moco G (Turbo): ¥1.3 million*; Moco G with touch panel audio and rear monitor: ¥1.4 million*; Optional 4WD: ¥117,600*.
* Prices are only indicative of the Japanese automotive market. For local pricing, please contact the relevant dealerships. ** Specifications of available models may vary. For more information, please contact the relevant dealerships.
BEST A–LIST
In Impreza PWRC’s cockpit, Aoyama and Arai are all smiles!
キーパーソン
“Prince” Aoyama encounters Subaru’s Impreza PWRC.
While high-performance cars are wonderful, no-nonsense racing models bag the gold. Aoyama tries the powerful Impreza PWRC!
スーパー
VOL.4
Carlife VOL. 4
Koji “Prince” Aoyama drives his first rally car with 2-time PWRC champion Toshihiro Arai in the passenger seat.
The PWRC variant’s decals, wheels, and gravel tyres set it apart from Impreza WRX STI—these also contribute to its appeal.
SUBARU IMPREZA PWRC M AY 2 0 1 1
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BEST A–LIST キーパーソン
FORMULA DRIFT:
STREETS OF LONG BEACH TEXT AND PHOTOS • CHERYL TAY
We take to the streets of Long Beach, California, to bring you the scoop on the inaugural round of the 2011 Formula Drift! Founded by Jim Liaw and Ryan Sage, Formula Drift is North America’s professional drifting championship. Last month, the 7-round series kicked off on 8 and 9 April at the Long Beach Grand Prix Street Course, and I finally received the opportunity to catch all the action. The 2011 season—the eighth thus far— welcomed Ryan Lanteigne to the judging panel in place of Ernie Fixmer. Lanteigne, a former professional driver and judge for the DriftMania Canadian Championship, was excited to be on the pulpit. “I am a big fan of Formula Drift, where the level is so high and hardly any mistakes are made. I used to fly in and catch as much as I could. Being a judge is very different from being a spectator,” he
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said. The 46-driver field was a highly talented pool. Among the big names were Formula Drift 2010 champion Vaughn Gittin Jr., 2009 champion Chris Forsberg, Ryan Tuerck, Dai Yoshihara and Rhys Millen. I was also eager to see two-time Formula Drift champion, Tanner Foust, but he ducked out this season due to other racing commitments. The Qualifying Round for the Top 32 took place on Friday afternoon. Each driver was given two individual runs and the best score was taken into consideration. The biggest upset came when defending champion Gittin failed to make the cut! Scoring a 41 on his first run, he straightened out at the end of his second run and scored a zero. The rest put on a good show. Conrad Grunewald and his 2010 Ford Camaro SS bagged a 93 and qualifying in first place. In what was probably the world’s most expensive Nissan S13, Dai Yoshihara came in a close second with 92.9.
The Saturday highlight was the Top 32 tandem battles. (A tandem battle consists of two runs where two cars take turns leading in one round, and following in the other.) The
BEST WHIZBANGS > CARS ガ ジ ェット：車
Tyre Test:
BRIDGESTONE POTENZA
ADRENALIN RE002 We test Bridgestone’s newest “baby”, the POTENZA Adrenalin RE002!
TEXT AND PHOTOS • CHERYL TAY
Bridgestone is famous as Formula 1’s tyre supplier until the 2010 season. The amount of technology, research and development, and resources that went into this area was staggering. So it is hardly surprising that Bridgestone produces excellent tyres, especially in the ultra-high performance range. The POTENZA brand was catapulted into the limelight with the 1947 release of RE47. Since then, it has firmly established itself in the motorsport world. In 2007, POTENZA Adrenaline RE001 was launched, and one million tyres were sold in the Asia Pacific region alone. The latest addition to the high-performance POTENZA family is Adrenalin RE002. Developed in the pursuit of “driving pleasure”—in the words of Bridgestone—RE002 improves drive safety and vehicle control. Tyre contact with the road is also increased. In developing its newest offering, Bridgestone’s goal is to maximise the pleasure of sporty driving. It achieves this by focusing on the basics: grip, stability, and responsiveness are enhanced overall. Compared to the RE001, the RE002 is said to have sharper handling
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response, better grip, improved dry and wet cornering, more direct steering feel, and reduced rolling resistance for better economy. RE002 was developed over the course of a year, and is currently launched as a replacement tyre instead of an Original Equipment one. Manufacture is based in Japan, with a smaller production line in Thailand. The tyre is suited for cars such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Volkswagen Scirocco, Subaru Impreza WRX and Honda Civic Type-R. In early March, Bridgestone invited selected members of the media to test the new POTENZA Adrenalin RE002 tyre. It took place at the tyre manufacturer’s proving grounds just outside of Bangkok, Thailand. R002-equipped Volkswagen Golf GTI, Volkswagen Scirocco and Subaru Impreza WRX STI enabled us to test the tyre’s different aspects. At each station, we tested both the RE001 and RE002 tyres on the same obstacle course. This enabled us to immediately note the differences between each. The RE002 is designed with three grooves—one less than the RE001—and a centre rib. These improve vehicle stability, as well as handling feel and responsiveness. Performance in the wet has also been greatly enhanced. We wove through the wet track and along its bends and tight corners with no trouble at all. Despite the moisture, the RE002’s excellent grip kept the car stable and boosted driving confidence. RE002’s winning wethandling performance results from three enhance-
ments. First, the new silica-based compound used to manufacture the tyre enhances its overall grip. Second, the wave-shaped pulse groove—inspired by the design of motorsport tyres—enables better drainage and anti-hydroplaning capabilities. And third, the raised protrusions on the groove floor—called “deflectors”—ensure that excess moisture is not retained on the tyre’s surface. RE001 fans should not need any convincing to try RE002. Drivers who were sceptical about RE001 could try its successor out for size. RE002 will be available in 15” and 20” varieties. Its Singapore launch is slated for the latter half of the year.
RE001 FANS SHOULD NOT NEED ANY CONVINCING TO TRY RE002.
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Kei
Striped green T-shirt, $19.90 • Uniqlo Grey cotton linen jacket, $69.90 • Uniqlo Blue jeans, $99.90 • Esprit
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Hiromi
Pink floral dress, $109.90 • Esprit Accessories • stylist’s own
! e t a D y a e!
t a D y a
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Location • Hotel Re! @ Pearl's Hill 175A Chin Swee Road Nissan March • Tan Chong Motors Art Direction • Neo Aik Sing Models • Kei Iwamoto and Hiromi Torigoe Photography • Edwin Tan (Lumina Photography) Photographer’s Assistant • Burton (Lumina Photography) Stylist • Verna Tan Make-up • Fionna Lau (using colours by RMK) Hair • Joan Lim
BEST GOURMET グ ルメ
A Taste Of Summer Experience the delicate flavours of authentic Cantonese cuisine at Summer Palace.
Chilled Yam Pudding
S
ummer Palace, The Regent Singapore’s award-winning restaurant and grande dame of Cantonese cuisine, recently received a fresh new look. The restaurant now incorporates luxurious Oriental touches with swatches of red and gold. It also features plush new carpeting and pillars wrapped in silk wallpaper hand-painted with birds. The dining experience is completed by a special range of Narumi Platinum Bone China. A recipient of notable culinary awards, its most recent accolade is this year's Asia Tatler Dining’s Singapore’s Best Restaurants Award. Renowned for the variety of its specialties, Summer Palace modifies its Dim Sum menu monthly and its ala carte menu every quarter. For the ala carte menu, the process takes around three weeks from conceptualisation to implementation. With this in mind, we dropped by for a taste of their most renowned offerings.
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We began with a selection of delectable Dim Sum specially prepared by Summer Palace’s resident master, Chef Leung Kwok Sing. A veteran with over 25 years of experience, Chef Leung’s deft skills and creative passion bring guests the most dainty and delectable Dim Sum delights. The crisp shrimp in the Shrimp Dumpling with Bird’s Nest ($8) was wrapped in a fine layer of Bird’s Nest, while the Barbeque Pork Bun with Pine Nuts ($5) featured a flavourful pastry bun that perfectly complimented the savoury pork. These fresh spins on traditional favourites are sure to delight both casual diners and the most discerning gourmands. With our appetites thoroughly whetted, we sampled the Double Boiled Sea Whelk Soup with Chinese Tonic and Fish Maw ($15), which is boiled in a ceramic pot to retain all the flavours and nutrients of its ingredients. The warmth of the clear broth brought out the delicate flavour of the fish maw. Aside from cleansing the palate, the soup is a good source of collagen.
Chilled Lemon Grass with Aloe Vera in Lime Juice
Shrimp Dumpling with Bird’s Nest
For the perfect start to your weekend, try Summer Palace’s Weekend Chef’s Tasting Lunch ($38++ per person, with a minimum of four guests per table), which includes a generous sampling of Chef Liu’s most lavish dishes and Chef Leung’s most delectable Dim Sum. This sumptuous feast includes a variety of Dim Sum, a roast meat platter with Suckling Pig, a Soup of the Day, a vegetable dish, fried rice, and a dessert. Summer Palace is offering an Herbal Soup Promotion from 1~31 May, featuring two specially formulated soups at $30++ each: Essence of Deer Tendon with Abalone and Chinese Herbs for men, and Bird’s Nest Broth with Ginseng and Dried Scallops for women. Seven other soups are available daily at $12++ each.
Fried Crocodile Meat with Spicy Sauce
The highlight of our meal was easily the Wok Fried Crocodile Meat with Spicy Sauce ($42), made of fleshy crocodile tail and fried to perfection in Summer Palace’s special XO sauce. This unusual but utterly delicious dish was conceptualised by Summer Palace’s Chinese Executive Chef, Chef Liu Ching Hai, who has over 20 years of experience. Chef Liu’s repertoire of delectable Cantonese cuisine has been savoured by international dignitaries, diplomats, and Hollywood and Hong Kong celebrities. Small wonder that the crocodile meat was tender to the bite, its subtle flavour enhanced by its special sauce. For a filling treat, try it with one of Summer Palace’s steamed Dim Sum delicacies. We completed our gastronomic journey with the light and refreshing Chilled Lemon Grass with Aloe Vera in Lime Juice ($8). The Lemon Grass jelly delicately melted in the mouth. We also tasted the delectable Chilled Yam Pudding ($7), a slightly sweeter affair that was the perfect end to an exquisite meal.
PARKING AT THE REGENT SINGAPORE $3 + GST from 0700~1800, $2 + GST for every subsequent half-hour; $5 + GST for Overnight Parking (1801~0659); $12 for Valet Parking. 駐車場 案内
Summer Palace’s Chinese Executive Chef, Chef Liu Ching Hai
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