Carma Singapore-July 2007

MINIMAG INSIDE – GO FASTER, LOOK FASTER, ACCESSORISE ALL THE WAY!

ISSUE 30 • JULY 2007• S$5.00

PUG

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Red-hot new Peugeot 207 GTi

WHEELSPINS Opel Astra TwinTop • Alfa 159 Sportwagon Mini One • Chrysler 300C Touring • BMW 530i

ISSUE 30 CARMA • JULY 2007

MICA (P) 136/05/2007

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TRANSFORMERS SPECIAL

GM CARS TRANSFORM INTO AUTOBOTS AND ROLL OUT!

6/25/07 9:31:29 AM

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DISTRIBUTOR : CHIN SENG HIN PTE LTD Tel: 68616106

Normal tyres contribute up to 1/5 of fuel consumption while driving. Michelin Energy tyres can reduce fuel usage by up to 5%. They do so through the innovative Michelin Energy Green X™ technology that reduces rolling resistance and thereby, the amount of energy required to push your car. So if you’d like to outsmart increasing fuel costs, discover the tyres that are always one move ahead. The fuel-efficient Michelin Energy tyres – driving mobility forward.

www.michelin.com.sg

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with every copy purchased!

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WHEELSPIN

INCARMATHIS MONTH JULY2007 28 06 EDITOR’S NOTE 07 MAILBOX 08 LOCAL NEWS OF THE MONTH 10 MAIN EVENT Peugeot 207 GTi 20 22 24 26

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MOTORMOUTHS Life At 30 Economy Jalopies If Only Everyone Drove Properly Divine Revelations

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32 28 32 34 36 38

WHEELSPINS Opel Astra TwinTop BMW 530i Mini One Chrysler 300C Touring Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon

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54 IN GEAR 57 VROOM! 94 CARMA CONTEST & PROMO 96 CARMA SUBSCRIPTION

FEATURES 40 The Trippy Thrills Of Transformers 46 Camera-Phone Car Photography 50 TECH-KNOW

Carma April‘07

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EDITOR’S NOTE

MICA (P) 136/05/2007

Group Editor-In-Chief

Caroline Ngui | nguislc@sph.com.sg ■ EDITORIAL Chief Editor

David Ting | davidt@sph.com.sg Editor

Tony Tan | ttch@sph.com.sg Contributing Editors

Shreejit Changaroth Lynn Tan Art Director

Johnny Tan | johnnyt@sph.com.sg Graphic Designer

Lokman Bin Salikoon | lokmanbs@sph.com.sg Editorial Support Manager

Alice Tay | tayaha@sph.com.sg

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION THERE

she stands, a masterpiece on wheels, moving me like a storm in a teacup even though she is stationary on the showroom floor. Then I think I see her slide across the shiny tiles, like an incredible ice skater but without the ice and skates, approaching me like an automotive dream come true…

Then she speaks to me, like an angel in metal with words in lieu of wings, filling my ears with the sweetest sounds ever even though she is saying absolutely nothing at all. Then I think I hear her say, “Get in now, let’s get away and drive nowhere fast…”

Before I know it, I’m at her wheel, feeling like some gifted motoring god who has just descended from heaven above where the circuits are fantastic and the speed limits start from 180km/h. I steer so smoothly that it seems like remote control, I change gears so perfectly that it seems like computerised clockwork, and all the way she powers ahead like there is no tomorrow. I am at one with her as we conquer the road, yet we are at peace with the asphalt…

It’s amazing what I can imagine when I’m in a showy showroom with cool cars, hot chicks, horsepower aplenty, the works. The psychedelic eye candy on display, whether on four wheels or on two long legs, is mildly mind-blowing, and the dormant kinetic energy of the nicest vehicles is a drug that creeps into my consciousness, making me imagine unreal scenes like “There she stands, a masterpiece on wheels, moving me like a storm in a teacup even though she is stationary on the showroom floor…”

David Ting Carma ‘Ting’-Tank

Editorial Coordinator

Fitriyanti Iyon | fitri@sph.com.sg Managing Director

Allen Loh | allenloh@sph.com.sg General Manager

Sharon Wang | swang@sph.com.sg ■ ADVERTISING SALES Senior Account Manager

Sylvia Choong | choongss@sph.com.sg ■ SPECIAL PROJECTS Associate Director

Pang Lee Cheng | panglc@sph.com.sg ■ BRANDING & PROMOTIONS Director

Cherie Ng | ngysc@sph.com.sg Associate Director

Royston Loh | roystonl@sph.com.sg Manager

Laura Lau | lauralau@sph.com.sg Coordinator

Eileen Chen | eileenc@sph.com.sg ■ PUBLISHING SERVICES Director

Leong Tscheng Yee | leongty@sph.com.sg Manager

Alice Chee | siewyuen@sph.com.sg Coordinator

Haryani Mohd Apandi | yanibma@sph.com.sg

Chief Executive Officer

Loh Yew Seng | lohys@sph.com.sg Managing Director

Dennis Pua | dennisp@sph.com.sg Corporate Office Director

Foong Seong Khong | foongsk@sph.com.sg Legal & Corporate Communications Head

Angeline Lee | leespaj@sph.com.sg Senior Human Resources Manager

Irene Lee | leebl@sph.com.sg

Carma is published by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd 82 Genting Lane, Media Centre Level 7, Singapore 349567 Tel: 6319-6319 Fax: 6319-3038 E-mail: carma@sph.com.sg Company Registration No. 196900476M All rights reserved, ©2007 by SPH Magazines Pte Ltd. No portion of this publication covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Carma by contributors and advertisers are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher.

Unsolicited material may not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and sufficient postage.

Printed in Singapore by Times Printers Pte Ltd. Company Registration No. 196700328H Distributed by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Carma subscription: hotline 6388-3838, e-mail circs@sph.com.sg

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This issue’s best mail wins a Crocs goodie bag consisting of a pair of Crocs Off Road, Crocs t-shirt and Crocs mug worth a total of $100.

Send in your mail – bouquets, brickbats, baby photos, etc – to carma@sph.com.sg – right now. Crocs, the delightful range of footwear from the USA, has taken Singapore by storm!

MAILBOX

Characterised by their happy colours, orthotic footbed, anti-microbial feature, odour-resistivity and patented croslite PCCR material, there is a Crocs for everyone. The Off Road is a rugged yet comfy shoe featuring a toughened sole, protective toe cap and turbo strap. Perfect for the outdoors and active lifestyle.

MAIL OF THE MONTH TAXING TAXIS With the Integrated Resorts on the horizon, it’s understandable that the number of cabs on the roads has increased. While this certainly comes as good news to commuters who rely on public transport, my concern is that many of these new taxis are running on powerful turbodiesel engines and it’s not uncommon to see taxi uncles of rival companies revving their vehicles at the traffic lights in an attempt to vie against one another, and when the lights turn green, then it’s “go” time!

Considering the fact that some of these drivers were previously driving the antiquated Toyota Crown cab, have they been equipped with the necessary driving skills needed to handle the newer, faster taxi models? Moreover, these taxi uncles aren’t exactly young and fit, so do they have the reactive skills to handle higher-speed traffic conditions? What are your views on this? Is there an independent regulatory body that oversees taxi operations?

A.P. Wan

MOTORMAIDENS Thanks for putting out a great mag month after month. I especially love your VROOM! section that features cool products and hot cars. But one thing is sorely lacking there – hot babes! There’s another automotive magazine that highlights a hot local babe in every issue and shouts it out on the cover. Perhaps Carma should consider having a Motorbod or Motorbabe in VROOM!, just like your main section has Motormouth. I run my own little escort agency, by the way, so I can supply you guys with a steady stream of girls if you ever need them, for paid editorial work of course.

Terence Chan

ONLINE NOT ON THE BALL

THE SECOND COMING OF CARMA

First of all, allow me to congratulate Carma on a job well done, but what on earth is happening to your online portal? It seems like the last time it was updated with proper content was ages ago. I thought your magazine is really getting up to speed when your website advertised that the August issue is out… Of course it is, since it meant the 2006 August issue!

And the forums are a ghost town, while the “latest articles” are anything but! Also, the layout of Carma Online is cluttered and frustrating to navigate.

Please do something about your website as soon as possible, perhaps by changing your webmaster or hiring extra help.

I can’t help but get caught up with the incendiary enthusiasm of the Carma team during its recent move to SPHM. The passionate sentiments of Carma’s chief editor in his June issue ‘blog’ said it all. Carma’s assimilation into SPHM heralds good times ahead for both the magazine and its loyal readers like me. Carma’s motley crew now have deeper pockets to frame fantastic shots of the automotive anatomy and more resources to ramp up the funk factor of the stories without losing sight of the mag’s practical purpose as an informative read.

Pedal to the metal, my friends, and may the road ahead be a smooth one for the ballsy band of car-loving brothers and sisters at Carma!

Gerry Yang

Han Yong Foo

Julyl‘07 Carma

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LOCAL NEWS OF THE MONTH

LEXUS LAUNCHES LS600hL IN SINGAPORE

ON

World Environment Day last month, our clean and green island became the first market outside Japan to introduce the highly sophisticated new LS600hL hybrid limousine. Touted as the world’s first-ever V8 hybrid all-wheel drive luxury saloon, the groundbreaking new Lexus is designed to deliver responsible yet incredible performance together with unbeatable refinement. According to the car’s chief engineer Mr Osamu Sadakata, who was in town to grace the launch event, “The LS is symbolic of Lexus and this hybrid model is the pinnacle of the brand.”

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During his product presentation, Sadakatasan revealed the special features of the latest Lexus to hit Singapore streets. “Our concept in developing the LS600h is to innovate a premium car with an eye on the future, while achieving ultimate comfort in all aspects of the car.” The vehicle’s technical highlights are headlined by the state-of-the-art Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which seamlessly combines a 5-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine with bespoke high-0utput electric motors, a high-capacity NiMh battery pack, a clever electronically-controlled CVT and possibly more computing power than a supercomputer.

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The LS600h V8, basically a bored-out version of the regular LS460 engine, is rated at 389bhp and 520Nm, but it gets a boost up to 438bhp or 327kW when the hybrid motor generator joins the party. Full torque is on tap from low revs, but more importantly, there is an ultra-quiet, eco-friendly pure electric driving mode that comes into play in low-speed, light-throttle situations.

The hybrid drivetrain also regenerates energy during deceleration and braking, and it swops between its different operations with great finesse.

The ample power available is put through a new full-time all-wheel drive system specifically developed for the hybrid flagship. Lexus says that it delivers 6-litre V12-like performance plus the high fuel efficiency and low exhaust emissions of a good 3-litre V6. The 2.3-tonne machine (2.4 if you order the Ottoman four-person mobile lounge model) accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in just 6.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 250km/h, while returning a claimed 10.8 kilometres per litre on the combined cycle. Equipment-wise, the LS600hL offers all the luxurious amenities already present in the LS460L, but it adds its own designer touch with blue Lexus badges, blue-tinted projector headlights, a customised engine cover and exclusive new 19-inch aluminium wheels. The car also comes with a vividly graphical energy monitor integrated with the Electro Multi-Vision dash display and a cool “CHG-ECO-PWR” hybrid system power indicator beside the tachometer.

The new LS600hL retails at $367,000 for the standard five-seater and a whopping $410,000 for the splendid four-seat variant.

July‘07 Carma

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MAIN EVENT

LITTLE LION DANCE

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Bring out the gongs, cymbals and drums – the Peugeot hot hatch is back with a vengeance! words Tony Tan, Lynn Tan, Shreejit Changaroth, David Ting photos Yang

July‘07 Carma

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MAIN EVENT

THE PRACTICAL FACTOR Tony Tan

Sports bucket seats which grip tightly, especially during high-g moments, are a must-have in hot hatches and those found in the 207 GTi are excellent examples…

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WITH

its lineage steeped in sporting credentials, the cabin of the 207 GTi gives its occupants an authentic taste of the world of motorsports, but this also results in certain compromises. Sports bucket seats which grip tightly, especially during high-g moments, are a must-have in hot hatches and those found in the 207 GTi are excellent examples. Amply bolstered on the sides with generous headrests, these sports seats are also trimmed in Alcantara – a pleasant and luxurious touch.

On the flip side, the buckets’ protruding, ergonomically-shaped frames result in less legroom for rear passengers, and even though the car has a more than adequate 2.54m wheelbase, the two occupants in the rear will have to be average-sized if comfort is a priority, unless they do not mind sitting with their knees propped up against the front seatbacks. However, a plus point is that they too enjoy the snugness and comfort of sporty bucket-style seats with good lateral support.

They are also thoughtfully equipped with retractable curved head restraints, so the driver’s rearward vision will not be blocked when the rear seats are unoccupied.

Elsewhere, the boot is fairly capacious, with more than enough space for a weekend’s luggage, and the car is no slouch in the modcon department, with numerous features which are essential for everyday motoring, all of them standard equipment. These include dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, factory-fitted reverse parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors, one-touch electric windows, powerfolding side mirrors, cruise control with speed limiter, and a thick-rimmed, height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel with thumb recesses at 11 and 1 o’clock for optimised handholding.

Less common cockpit features which will fascinate the gadget-crazy driver are six airbags, a multi-function trip computer with cute little graphics, an air-conditioned glovebox (perfect

for preventing French chocolates from melting) and individual tyre pressure sensors with a digitalised status display in the instrument cluster. Any sudden pressure drop or insufficient pressure detected will result in an audible as well as visual warning.

Stereo-wise, the 207 GTi is specified with a modern MP3-ready head-unit complete with an in-dash CD changer and convenient steeringmounted controls. This hi-fi system will provide hours of entertainment, especially on those long journeys. Speaking of long-distance drives, Peugeot claims an economical 17.5 kilometres per litre on the extra urban cycle and just over 10 kilometres per litre if you do your driving in the city. These figures should be taken with a pinch of salt though, as the 207 GTi is best when driven hard, roads permitting, but the resultant drop in fuel economy will no doubt be offset by the wide grin on your face.

July‘07 Carma

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MAIN EVENT

Our test car is a spunky Flamenco Red, but I would like mine in Bianca White; throw in a set of white rims and you have got yourself one handsome cub…

THE FRENCH FETISH FACTOR Lynn Tan

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THE

French, notorious for their stiff etiquettes and patriotic fervour, may not be the most endearing of cultures to some, but there is a more casual and liberal side to the French. After all, the most passionate kiss is named after them. And there really are more than a few feathers in their cap, which probably justify their immense sense of pride.

Renowned architect Jean Nouvel, the man behind notable buildings such as the Cartier Foundation and Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and the unbuilt design for Ferrari Factory in Modena, is a Frenchman. The French are also famous for their wines, from the earliest vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy dating back to the third century, to established vineyards in numerous other French regions such as Rhone, Ile de France, Champagne and Loire Valley. And we all love French pastries – you are probably thinking Delifrance, but I had my best croissant in a Metro deli-(in)-France.

We are familiar with the grand palaces and their formal axes, sprawling gardens and gilded vestibules which are an expression of French flamboyance. But the flexible French are also comfortable with intimate-scale chateaus and, of course, compact sports cars like the new Peugeot 207 GTi. A joint development between PSA Peugeot-Citroen and BMW-Mini, this baby lion adopts a downsizing strategy similar to the

Volkswagen Golf GT. This approach capitalises on the greater efficiency of a smaller force-fed engine compared to a naturally aspirated engine with a larger capacity, making it possible to achieve higher specific power plus lower fuel consumption.

This Peugeot baby may be small, but it is already showing signs of its king-of-the-jungle bloodline. Our test car is a spunky Flamenco Red, but I would like mine in Bianca White, which will contrast very nicely with the black front bumper, the exaggerated air intake with metallic finish, and the dotted chrome bits of the heraldic lion, front fog lamps, wing mirrors and trapezoid dual exhaust nozzles. Throw in a set of white rims and you have got yourself one handsome cub.

Inside, dark Alcantara is used on the bucket seats as well as door panels, with the stitching expressed in a light, contrasting colour. The information centre has sporty yet elegant circular chrome-surround dials that echo the fog lamps out front. A well-conceived composition on the whole, but one would have expected a little bit more French finesse where the design of the centre console is concerned.

If the “looks negate substance” stereotype is anything to go by, then this petite French model has more substance than you would expect. The 207 GTi is as feisty as a newborn cub should be.

Equipped with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct

injection turbocharged engine, it accelerates from nought to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds, apparently the same as the latest Mini Cooper S which shares the same engine, although the Mini feels speedier still. The Peugeot’s five-speed manual gearbox boasts special gear staging and shorter gear ratios, with the first deliberately lengthened for more dynamic gear changes in corners. But our test-drive reveals gear ratios a little too far apart between first and second, resulting in a slight power lag as the revs plummet when up-shifting.

Despite steering that is way too light, and doors that are far too heavy, causing them to swing uncontrollably into the car alongside, the 207 GTi is a decent performance package.

It comes equipped with many features that you will normally only find on bigger cars, such as six standard airbags, ESP, adaptive automatic headlights, tyre under-inflation sensors, cruise control, and mirrors that auto-fold when you lock the car. These are useful features and definitely nice to have, but they also jack up the price tag, although outright value for money is probably the last reason anyone buying a 207 GTi, or any Peugeot for that matter, is thinking about. You must probably have a penchant for Peugeots, be a hot hatch fan, or simply have a French fetish.

So the “F” word is not such a bad word after all.

July‘07 Carma

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MAIN EVENT

THE TECHNICAL FACTOR Shreejit Changaroth

The exhaust pulses are separated and arrive at the turbine in a linear sequence, which helps with the spooling of the turbine and alleviates turbo lag…

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IF

you were lucky enough to have driven the Peugoet 205 GTi when it was new, you would have experienced the finest hot hatch of its time. It set a benchmark with its uncanny combination of ride, handling and roadholding, coupled with chic styling and of course terrific acceleration from its 1.9-litre single-cam 8-valve engine. The following iteration of the hot 20’ series Peugeot was equally stylish, but the game elsewhere had moved on, so GTi 206 was not quite the same trendsetter as its predecessor.

Besides, inevitable weight gain did it no favours, but there was still a sparkling motor, this time with a 2-litre displacement and twice as many valves for a creamy, torquey performance.

So what’s this about the new 207 GTi having a smaller engine? Yes, it’s true. While the upper echelon of motorcars seems to thrive on cubic capacity, here in the real world strata there is a growing trend towards small, high-efficiency powerplants. The sensible approach to high performance is forced induction and it is a matter of fact that a turbocharged 4-litre V8 offers a much wider spread of performance than, say, a high-revving 5-litre V10 with natural aspiration. The same philosophy is applied here in the Peugeot, which easily exceeds the 100bhp/litre specific output thanks to an exhaust gas-driven turbocharger. More precisely, the 1.6-litre engine under the bonnet of the 207 GTi develops 175bhp at 6000rpm and is able to maintain 240Nm of torque between 1600rpm and 4500rpm. Any highly tuned, naturally aspirated 1.6-litre that produces the same power as our 207 GTi would struggle to achieve even 180Nm. There are no fancy innovative features in the

engine, just the latest proven design elements such as continuously variable valve timing, direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger. This last item, the KKK turbo, is so called because within the turbine section are two spiral (scrollshaped) ducts, each connected to the exhaust manifold of a pair of cylinders respectively.

Such an arrangement is particularly useful in a four-cylinder engine as the exhaust pulses are separated and arrive at the turbine in a linear sequence, which helps with the spooling of the turbine and alleviates turbo lag.

High gearing in first means you need to ease in the clutch with sufficient revs when moving off from rest, but it also means the car has a relatively high maximum speed in 1st, allowing downshifts from second in tight turns without the worry of redlining. As with most of the current crop of turbo cars, the 207 has decent response even while boost is building up. Of course, the high 10.5: 1 compression ratio and the doublescroll turbo help. As expected, this is a rapid car, particularly in the mid-range where most driving is done – just as well, because as you get closer to the redline the acceleration tails off, and past 5000rpm it doesn’t sound quite as good. Use the gears, keep the engine in its max-torque speed range (1600 to 4500rpm) and the 207 GTi will be most enjoyable.

The Pug’s suspension and brakes are clearly focused on fast driving. Stiff spring and damper settings mean you can show it a stretch of multiple tight bends one after another and the car remains taut and poised throughout. Approach a hairpin at high speed, brake hard (excellent feel and response), shove into first, full throttle

on exit! Easy and fun. Again, like the rest of the car, its undercarriage comprises contemporary well-proven mechanicals. The MacPherson front struts with wide-based lower arms and a twist beam rear arrangement are typical of this class of cars, but here in the 207 GTi the system is honed to maximise roadholding, the way Peugeots have always been famous for. The ride, however, is not quite typical-Peugeot because it can get choppy over high-frequency undulations, especially for rear seat passengers. With the resurgence of the hot hatch and with so many fast and furious little cars that exhibit track-like handling, the objective with this new Peugeot was clearly to trade off ride comfort for high g-forces and excellent body control. It’s a shame that the steering does not match the precision of the suspension. As is the trend these days, a variable-torque electric motor provides steering assistance and severely dilutes feedback and feel, although it does get slightly better at higher speeds.

Ride and steering aside, the 207 GTi has the performance and handling to earn full hot hatch honours. The turbocharged engine is punchy yet economical and offers easy access to acceleration when needed, while its sure-footed and vice-free handling coupled to high cornering limits also earn it top marks. The bumpy ride in extreme situations is not likely to deter most drivers who enjoy fast driving, although the same cannot be said of the steering. All things considered, Peugeot’s 207 GTi is a sporty and stylish package that is a worthy contender in the fast-four class.

July‘07 Carma

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MAIN EVENT

THE 206 GTi FACTOR David Ting

Peugeot’s latest and potentially greatest lion dance, the new 207 GTi, is a better performer all around compared to the old 206 GTi…

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SEVEN

years ago in my previous life, I reviewed the thennew 206 GTi and came away quite happy but strangely unsatisfied. The Pug was pretty, pretty sporty and quietly quick, but working its sloppy gearbox felt like stirring an aluminium spoon in a bowl of tao suan and revving its engine brought about a lethargic lion dance.

Peugeot’s latest and potentially greatest lion dance, the new 207 GTi, is a better performer all around. First and foremost, its styling is both beautiful and purposeful, whereas its predecessor looks pugnacious but is a bit androgynous. The go-faster 207 is also significantly bigger than the 206 on the outside and more spacious on the inside – in fact, the new supermini is a tad larger than the old 306.

At the same time, the alloy rims have jumped up from 15-inch to striking 17-inch, while the detailing and perceived quality of the exterior have been improved noticeably. Cabin equipment and cockpit excitement have also been boosted big time.

On paper in terms of power to weight, the 207 GTi is just a little stronger than the 206 GTi, with 140bhp per tonne versus 133bhp, but on the road, the new performance Pug is far faster from point to point, thanks to its hyperactive turbo engine whose party tricks include an overboost function. Interestingly, compared to its retired sibling, the 207 is a lot less comfortable at a cruise because of its endlessly busy, occasionally crashy ride that is uncharacteristic of the marque. Both Pugs love to corner crazily on three wheels through a committed bend, but the 207 offers an inferior ride/handling compromise and ultimately poorer steering feel. The transmission, still a five-speeder, is much more positive than the old ’box, but its throws are still a little long for someone weaned on tight and snappy Honda gearshifts. The pedals still have a softness about them, but they work well under pressure and allow heel-and-toe, something the 206 GTi cannot provide unless you have the legs and feet of a driving demigod.

You don’t have to be Alain Prost to appreciate the merits of the new 207 GTi, but it’d be good if you have prior experience with the 206 GTi, so you know exactly where the newcomer rocks and where it stumbles like a lion dance gone wrong.

PEUGEOT 207 GTi + – Price Length Width Height Wheelbase Kerb Weight Tyres Engine Power Torque Gearbox 0-100km/h Top speed Fuel Consumption

Sporty style, turbo charge, good roadholding, superbly-specified cabin Overly sporty ride, rubbery gearshift, excessively light electric steering $95,900 including COE 4030mm 1748mm 1479mm 2540mm 1250kg 205/45 R17 Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 4 cylinders in line, 1598cc DOHC 16V turbo 175bhp@6000rpm 240Nm@1600-4500rpm (260Nm on overboost) 5-speed manual 7.1sec 220km/h 7.2L/100km combined cycle

July‘07 Carma

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by Yang Quan Fa

MOTORMOUTH

Life at 3 Time is money, timing is everything, and the magic number here is thirty

EVEN

in a field littered with the most infamous despots who have stained human history with their dreaded existence, among the likes of Hitler, Pol Pot, Stalin and their modern brethren whom we shan’t name here, since it is impolite (not to mention unwise) to bad-mouth the living, the most cruel tyrant of them all, is Time. Its hold over us is universal, perennial, complete. At its gentlest, we may say time passes quickly when one is having fun. But scale this upwards, and there be split seconds which separate success and failure, and ultimately, life and death. It is a fact most painfully brought into sharp focus when we consider the millions upon millions of such micro-fractions of time we habitually expend just by planting ourselves in front of the telly and switching our minds off.

And while money can be earned or even, in the case of sovereign countries, created out of nothing, time is the most limited of limited editions. For one and all, the weak and the mighty, tall and short, thin and fat, Time is resolutely, unmovingly, absolutely, finite. And yet there’s a twist: the point at which it runs out, even when the end is a hair’s breadth away, is in most cases beyond us. We know King Kong lasts three hours (the movie guide says so!) and that milk is good for a week (read the label!), but only a presumptuous fool believes in his heart that a hale and hearty youngster will surely outlive someone else who is old and infirm. But what are we, if not fools…

I suppose living under this death sentence, we try to make the most of things. We must build our empires before our time is up; and

20

here the oppressive touch of Time is so personal because each is allotted differently, we can’t even predict or generalise about our demise the way we know the shelf life of so many other things – eggs, for instance. And so we rush, rush, rush.

In extreme interpretations, time spent on living, experiencing, is considered a waste; only that spent towards achieving a goal, or creating something tangible, is counted as “meaningful”.

Taking a walk is pointless. Going for a drive is wasting time, it is merely the means while the destination is the ends. Is that why we don’t have time for good manners — because it produces nothing? After all, can we put goodwill in a box, convert pleasantries to cash?

Time was weighing heavily on me lately, what with books unread, deadlines not met and objectives in a blur. And so for a lark, as an experiment, I tried to squeeze more out of Time than I normally would. In physics, every force has an equal and opposite reaction — and might there be cause for optimism that we can press Time as hard as it presses upon us? Well, Time squeezed back. Being more efficient was tiring!

The only thing I ended oppressing was myself.

And I got a number to prove the futility of the exercise — as I was zooming to and from work, beating out every ounce of speed from my trusty car without blatantly breaking the law, making the engine squeal at higher octaves and seeing fuel consumption take flight, my average speed, calculated by dividing total distance travelled by time taken, was only slightly above carpark speed – 30km/h. Hope you do better.

Carma July‘07

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Time was weighing heavily on me lately, what with books unread, deadlines not met and objectives in a blur‌

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 4:29:43 PM

by Qiu Jiqian

MOTORMOUTH

ECONOMY JALOPIES

Cheap is not necessarily good when it comes to cars for the masses

A RECENT

proliferation of cheap China cars has made it possible for the average citizen to own a set of wheels. Of course, the majority of the population looks upon this renaissance as a good thing, since the costs associated with running a car in Singapore are legendary, and deep down inside, even the most die-hard public commuter wants nothing more than a car to call his own.

Unfortunately, this opens the floodgates to a whole menagerie of marginal motorists who shouldn’t, and wouldn’t, otherwise own cars.

Before the ever-vigilant anti-elitist lynch mobs

22

start getting their panties in a bunch, they should consider a few factors.

Does having more cars on the road translate to greater equality? Sure, but what it also does is increase traffic congestion all around, which will inevitably lead to an increase in usage costs.

Surely you didn’t think the government was going to let us have it easy by ‘making’ cars more affordable, did you?

With more cars trawling our roads, we can look forward to more ERP points, higher parking fees and generally higher costs for all road users, so don’t ever think you’re getting one-up over the government. Why milk the new car cash cow

(a one-off) when you can be milking cows every day when they’re using the roads?

The irony of it all? The majority of these ‘cheap’ cars will probably be registered under the weekend scheme, which brings most of them into a condition known as negative equity (but that’s a whole different story entirely), so they’re unlikely to appear during waking hours on weekdays anyway. Of course, they’re out in full rat-pack force on festive occasions and public holidays, clogging up the arteries and hogging the lanes.

But the increased costs will affect the rest of us who actually need the use of our cars during our busy workdays.

Carma July‘07

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6/25/07 7:43:26 PM

This opens the floodgates to a whole menagerie of marginal motorists who shouldn’t, and wouldn’t, otherwise own cars…

Many of the buyers of sub-$33k cars (as only cars) tend to be first-time car buyers, or those who have not driven in ages, or even both. Experience has demonstrated that when these dubious drivers are out on the road, particularly on weekdays, they pose a clear and present danger to other motorists. Firstly, some of these mobile hazards seem to be hastily cobbled-together project kits that barely hold it together, offering questionable protection to the car’s occupants. Furthermore, some can barely move up-slope with a full complement of occupants under their own locomotion, yet bizarrely enough, their drivers insist on keeping to the middle or express lanes, since as occasional road users, they haven’t inculcated any sense of lane discipline whatsoever. Either that, or they drive with wanton abandon, treating every other car on the road as a race-rival. Your car may be cheap, but my life certainly isn’t.

It’s not hard to spot these drivers, since there’s typically a long stream of closely bunched cars with highly irritated drivers following behind them. Of course, these are the same thinskinned drivers who write in to complain when they’re carved up every which way because they were hogging the fast lane, in very much the same manner they question their cheap car’s reliability when it continually needs to be sent back to the workshop.

What was that saying about peanuts and monkeys again?

July ‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 7:43:35 PM

by Jill Freeman

MOTORMOUTH

IF ONLY EVERYONE DROVE PROPERLY Motoring in Singapore would be merrier if all local motorists make an effort to drive with due care and consideration

EVERYONE

has had his or her fair share of getting into near-accidents or simply getting peeved off by other road users. Bad driving, bad drivers, bad parkers, drivers who tailgate, foglight dazzlers and mobile ‘phoners’. You name it, you have it, and you’ve seen it all!

Let’s start with bad parkers first. I’m sure most of us have been caught in a situation where parking lots are definitely not aplenty and when you finally find one, instead of feeling overjoyed,

24

you actually feel more annoyed because the other driver has parked half of his car in the empty lot.

How considerate is that? Some call these people, if I may mention it here, idiot parkers. It doesn’t take much to park your car properly. For the safety of your own car and for the sanity of other drivers, try to at least practise proper parking within the lot in question.

What could be more dangerous then the ‘mobile phone glued to the ear’ syndrome? Many people break this law blatantly and continue to

happily chat on their phones, forgetting that they have a responsibility on the road. Each time they come into your lane, you sound your horn to warn them, how many actually know that you are honking at them? It is incredibly annoying when you turn your head to look at the driver and there you see s/he is deep in conversation. A good hard stare doesn’t work – their concentration just isn’t on you. Using mobile phones while driving is just an accident waiting to happen.

Some ‘dreaming’ drivers develop a bad habit

Carma July‘07

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There are already too many traffic accidents involving sober drivers, so what chance does a drunk have behind the wheel?... of driving in between lanes or driving too close to you for comfort. It annoys especially when they make a right/left turn directly into your lane, leaving you no choice but to hit on your brakes.

It baffles me as to whether these people are just simply ignorant about road markings or if they just do not care about other road users.

Then, we have the perennial problem with signalling. Aren’t indicator lights meant for a good purpose? There are so many road users who will intentionally speed up just to prevent you from changing lanes when you signal your intention to do so. Where is road courtesy when we need it?!

Then there are those road users who apparently do not know that indicator lights exist and never use them when changing lanes or when turning.

This is just another accident waiting to happen. It isn’t rocket science. Your car’s signal light stalks are easy to use and are meant for a good purpose,

so please use them.

I reckon I could go on and on about bad driving habits on our roads. Now allow me to talk about road hogging. I have come across too many drivers who road hog. The extreme right lane is meant for overtaking by vehicles that might need to move slightly faster. What is the point of the faster right lane if you are going to force other drivers to overtake you on the left? Some situational awareness would be good here – if you see someone coming up your tail a little too quickly for your liking, it might be a good idea to give way because you’re probably travelling at too slow a speed in that particular place and context.

I’m not the perfect driver, I’m definitely guilty of imperfect driving at times too. I make a conscious effort to be a better driver, though.

Wouldn’t all our motoring journeys be more pleasant with fewer irritations to annoy us on the

road? Bad habits die hard, if they ever die, but if we all make an effort everyday, everywhere to drive with due care and consideration, we’ll all be happier drivers.

To end on a more serious note, I would like to remind everyone about the dangers of drink driving, as there seems to be more drink drivers getting busted these days, with the more serious cases involving spectacular crashes. There are already too many traffic accidents involving sober drivers, so what chance does a drunk have behind the wheel? Drink+driving is not a match made in heaven. Sadly, this is where many innocent people (not the drink driver of course, who goes to hell) end up. Drink driving kills, whether or not you are the driver irresponsible.

Think about it, drive safe, arrive alive.

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 8:02:06 PM

by Lynn Tan

MOTORMOUTH

DIVINE REVELATIONS Cable television programme Hour Of Power has Carma’s dear Miss Tan thinking even deeper than usual

SOMETIMES,

the most bizarre thoughts and feelings can surface at the most unlikely of moments. A friend of mine once SMS-ed to share with me her sudden and overwhelming urge to forgive a friend of hers, while she sat perched over her toilet bowl. It was as if all the ill feelings were wiped out together with the flush. For me, it was an hour of what I call divine revelation, as I sat on my couch watching an episode of Top Gear’s Hour Of Power.

I thought I had seen it all, on a TV programme that has surprised viewers over the years by strapping a Mini on skis and running it off a ski slope, and putting a fleet of Toyota Aygos through a football match. It was hilarious, watching the team of small hatches going helter-skelter all over the field, chasing after a giant-sized soccer ball. But in a recent episode, they came up with even crazier challenges for the humble (or maybe not so humble, as you shall see) automobile, feats which revealed to me a few pertinent lessons about life, all while I was lying on my couch with my feet propped over the armrest and stuffing myself with my favourite Honey Dijon Kettle Chips. Who says you have to sit under a Bodhi tree and meditate for ages?

The first challenge was a race between a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti and a British Airways A320 jet, from London’s Heathrow Airport to a ski lodge in Verbier, Switzerland.

It seems obviously unfair, to pit a 540bhp car with a V12 engine and a top speed of 320km/h, costing less than £200,000, against an Airbus jetliner with two CFM56-5 engines producing

26

25,000 pounds of thrust to achieve a top speed of 926km/h and priced around the region of over £30 million. A thoroughbred the Ferrari 612 may be, but the race appears insanely weighted in the A320’s favour, until the programme revealed that the A320 route involved a connecting train and bus transfer from Geneva Airport to Verbier. Now the race was really on and

I was kept on the edge of my seat, watching the Ferrari driver battle refuelling screw-ups, traffic police hold-ups and an untraceable irritating buzz emanating from somewhere around the dashboard (so now we know that even Ferraris are not spared these niggles), while the competing team was struggling with their luggage, check-in queues and a bus running behind schedule. Finally, both teams arrived in Verbier at roughly the same time, with the 612 zooming past the A320 guys who have just alighted from the bus and who have to continue their search for the nearby ski lodge on foot, with luggage and skis in tow. The 11-hour race was ultimately won by the Ferrari team, by just a narrow margin, enough for the driver to order a beer, sit on the deck, look smug and await the arrival of the A320 losers…

Lesson Learnt Number One: In a battle between two opponents, bets are always placed in favour of the apparently stronger contender, based on factors such as sheer size, brute strength and power, or other physical abilities. Many times, there are other external factors that come into play, factors that will affect the outcome, like in the case of the race between the hare and the tortoise.

But with or without these external factors, the final result may, more often

Carma July‘07

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than not, surprise us. That explains the term “dark horse”, or in this case, “silver horse”.

The second challenge was a race as we know it, circuit style. The producers pitted a 1983 rally-spec Audi Quattro that sparked off the 4WD craze, against a stock Mitsubishi Evolution VIII, as well as a Ford Escort World Rally Car from the 1990s against a Ford Focus RS street car. It was a close call between the Escort and Focus, but the Evo beat the Quattro, which was busy fighting massive understeer at almost every corner, by a clear margin of 1.5 seconds. The winners, in both cases, were showroom standard cars, which go to show that the road cars of today have surpassed their rally counterparts of yesteryears. And the host made a very poignant observation – if today’s generation of road cars can outrun rally cars from a decade or two ago, just think, in 20 years’ time, we could be driving down PIE in our comfy saloons at Formula One speeds in absolute safety...

Lesson Learnt Number Two: The wheel of development will never stop turning, whether we like it or not. But we can choose to be the ones who keep the wheel turning, the ones who keep up with the wheel, or those who let the wheel pass them by.

The third race involved another two unlikely candidates – a WRC Mitsubishi Lancer Evo versus a bobsleigh. The race took place at the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. The four-man bobsleigh team’s race route was a track approximately two kilometres long, with 16 corners and stretches over a vertical drop of over 100 metres. The Evo was

These feats revealed to me a few pertinent lessons about life, all while I was lying on my couch and stuffing myself with my favourite Honey Dijon Kettle Chips… sent down a winding, snow-covered mountain road of about the same distance, with studded tyres and WRC driver Henning Solberg behind the wheel. The Evo finished in one minute and two seconds, while the bobsleigh clocked a time of just under a minute. This is not a four men against one man race, but a showdown between five G’s of natural gravitational force and 300bhp of man-made mechanical force…

Lesson Learnt Number Three: Modern Man has come a long way since the days of our Neanderthal ancestors. We have accomplished many things, made many technological and medical breakthroughs, and propelled our societies into something our prehistoric forbears would never have imagined possible. But we should not be conceited because no matter how powerful we become, there will always be a higher order that is capable of reducing all our accomplishments to nought.

Think of the recent hurricane in the States, the tsunami in Thailand, and the floods in India.

Nature will always reign supreme.

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 8:25:54 PM

words David Khoo photos Yang

WHEELSPIN

EXTRAORDINARY ASTRA? The Astra TwinTop hard-top convertible looks set to join the ranks of the Opel range of daily runabouts, or does it?

APART

from garnering quite a fair bit of attention, convertibles of any sort also tend to evoke a fair amount of “oohs” and “aahs” from all and sundry – not an ideal situation for the introverted owners who may appreciate the lifestyle cachet and top-down motoring these cars provide, but not the spotlight these vehicles naturally bring with them. Moveover, this isn’t as big a dichotomy as one might imagine. In the local market, there are coupe-convertibles that scream “look at me!” and then you have the Astra TwinTop. This is a statement that isn’t meant to denigrate the car, by the way.

First off, we take a look at the Astra’s back-end styling, since most of the Continental coupe-convertibles in the market are blighted by rather bottom-heavy styling, which is great if you’re a fan of bootylicious Beyonce but not so good if Adriana Lima’s perky derriere rocks your boat. Thankfully, the Astra’s rear is compact and pert, exhibiting none of the wobble-bottom traits some of its hard-top convertible rivals suffer from. The well-proportioned rear, incidentally, is reminiscent of its sibling, the Tigra TwinTop. While the Astra’s chiselled lines exude a minimalist simplicity, the car’s subtle design undercurrents ensure that the Astra TwinTop isn’t likely to be relegated to wallflower status any time soon since its understated looks bear hints of a latent power. The dynamic, arrowshaped front portion of the TwinTop clearly identifies it as a member of the Astra family.

However, it is the side profile of the Astra TwinTop that is most powerful. A strong, wedge-shaped rising shoulder line and sloping roof contribute to the car’s impression of strength. With roof up

28

Carma July‘07

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6/25/07 8:07:01 PM

Two guys tooling around with the top down during rush hour traffic exacted a toll on our masculinity, particularly when the radio started blaring out Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All…

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 8:07:13 PM

WHEELSPIN

or down, the Astra TwinTop will turn the heads of enthusiasts with discerning taste.

Cabin quality is tight and the interior styling cohesive, albeit a tad boring; in other words, not quite what we’d expect from a car competing in a lifestyle segment. The steering wheel stalks lack the tactile and well-damped feel of its more expensive rivals; in fact, they almost look like they’re the same items used in the Mark 3 Astra from two generations ago. Thankfully, the panels fit well together and there is a solidness about the cabin that gives the car a bomb-proof quality. Chrome rings embellish the radio and air-conditioning controls to further differentiate it from lesser variants. The car’s 2615mm

30

wheelbase even translates to credible plus-two accommodation in the backseat.

For added convenience, the roof allows deployment at speeds of up to 30km/h, so if it starts drizzling midway, there’s always the option of closing up the roof without pulling over to the side of the road. Deploying the three-piece roof takes under 30 seconds, with a veritable orchestra of five electric motors, eight hydraulic cylinders, 13 sensors and 14 joint-kinematics cooperating to work the roof. The engineers even coined a name for the machines’ merry ‘dance’ – Lambada.

The Astra’s nifty three-piece roof was jointly developed with CarTopSystems (CTS). Attractive

and reliable, the roof provides decent levels of interior space for a retractable steel hard-top system. The roof can either be operated using the dedicated button in the car or remotely via the key fob. To offer even more convenience for the Astra TwinTop owner, Opel has incorporated an Easy Load system, which allows the 200-litre (440litre with the roof up) boot capacity in cabriolet configuration to be fully utilised. A touch of a button raises the vertically-stacked roof panels by 250mm, allowing cargo in the boot to be easily stowed or removed from under the protective divider.

Under the bonnet of the Astra TwinTop resides a 1.8-litre automatic four-cylinder that

Carma July‘07

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produces 140bhp and 175Nm, which really works hard to hustle the 1.5-tonne car around.

Once in motion though, the car cruises comfortably and even overtakes with some verve at highway speeds. Acceleration to 100km/h elapses in 12.7 seconds, but this isn’t a car that will help one overcome the odds in quick bursts of acceleration.

The bodyshell is pleasantly rigid with very little chassis flex when pushing hard, a trait that would embarrass more expensive machinery. On the move, ride comfort is pliant and the steering has a nice weight and communication to it that provide a fair degree of driver involvement.

The widely-spaced ratios of the four-speed automatic gearbox make progress a leisurely affair rather than a frenetic one. The brakes offer a strong pedal feel, which translates to confidence-inspiring performance during hard stopping manoeuvres.

Judging by the number of approving looks the Astra attracted during our review (roof down, of course), it’s not always the car with the big wing and bonnet scoop that wins the fans. However, while we regard ourselves as healthy, secure men, it must be added that two guys tooling around with the top down during rush hour traffic certainly attracted a fair number of stares and lest we forget, exacted a toll on our masculinity, particularly when the radio started blaring out Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All… Joining the ranks of the Astra GTC, stationwagon and five-door hatch, the Astra TwinTop could well be the extra-ordinary cream of the crop with its combination of sedan practicality and drop-top appeal. Moreover, those who swing that way are able to appreciate the sweet subtlety of the Astra TwinTop’s understatement. By “that”, I meant low-key and discreet, what were you thinking of?

SUMMARY Opel Astra TwinTop 1.8 (A) Price

$119,888 including COE

Engine

4 cylinders in line, 1796cc DOHC 16V

Power

140bhp@6300rpm

Torque 0-100km/h Top Speed

141Nm@4200rpm 12.7sec 175km/h

+

Subtle well-proportioned styling, modern roof system, a decent drive

–

Subtlety almost to the point of anonymity, retrospective steering stalks

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 8:07:35 PM

words & photos David Ting

WHEELSPIN

FIVE FOR FIGHTING It’s not easy being Superman among German executive saloons, which is why BMW has put its 5 Series through a refresher course

The 3-litre hothouse under the hood just blows us away with its pure power, racy character and sheer operating smoothness in all situations……

IN

the German mid-level limousine segment, the cultural divide is easy to see – the traditionalist drives the E-Class, the technologist drives the 5 Series and never the twain shall meet. But Mercedes-Benz raised its game late last year when it upgraded its perennial bestseller with intriguing new technical equipment (like Adaptive Brakes, Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro, Keyless-Go) and welcome improvements in cabin comfort and driving performance. Now BMW fights back with a revised 5 Series.

Like the revamped E-Class, the refreshed 5 Series has had a subtle restyle. It’s so subtle that existing owners can’t tell the difference and automotive anoraks are hard-pressed to point out the cosmetic changes – renewed grille, new glass-covered headlamps with chrome-trimmed direction indicators, a fresh take on the lower

32

air intake, a smoothened back registration plate plinth, and new LED tail-lights. Those rear lamps are probably the most noticeable part of the 5 Series restyling, especially at night when they light up quickly and brightly.

Inside the cabin, the most obvious new feature is the edgy gear selector first seen in the just-arrived second-generation X5 SUV. The radical lever controls a precise six-speed automatic that reacts 40 percent faster than before. Less noticeable than the newfangled gearshifter but nice nonetheless are the larger door pockets, re-optimised power window and mirror switches, improved iDrive interface and graphics, higher-quality materials, and the newly-added row of eight programmable buttons for speedy access to one’s favourite dashboard functions. The electric front seats, adjustable

every which way and equipped with variable torso bolsters, are absolutely fabulous, by the way.

Extra bells and whistles are available to indulge the technology-crazy driver, as demonstrated by our well-equipped 530i media test car, and they are headlined by Lane Change Warning. If you stray from your lane without signalling, the optional $1800 system vibrates the steering wheel to wake up your idea. It only works at 70km/h and above, though, and it can be turned off. Another gadgety motoring aid is the $4700 Head-Up Display, which projects critical driving data like current speed and navigation information on the windscreen in the driver’s direct line of sight. Other cool but costly options for the 5 Series are Adaptive Headlights, HighBeam Assist and Night Vision thermal imaging for things that go bump in the night.

Carma July‘07

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6/25/07 9:06:21 PM

In terms of engine output, the entry-point 523i 2.5 develops 190bhp and 235Nm, up slightly from 177bhp and 230Nm, the mid-range 525i remains unchanged, while the 530i 3.0 reviewed here produces 272bhp and 315Nm, up significantly from 258bhp and 300Nm. Equally impressive are BMW’s claimed gains in fuel economy. On the road, the 530i is comfortable yet uncannily chuckable, its ride is seemingly more refined now, and the 3-litre hothouse under the hood just blows us away with its pure power, racy character and sheer operating smoothness in all situations.

Looks like BMW’s Superman of German executive saloons can continue to fly high in the face of strong competition.

SUMMARY BMW 530i 3.0 (A) Price

$238,800 including COE

Engine

6 cylinders in line, 2996cc DOHC 24V

Power

272bhp@6650rpm

Torque

315Nm@2750rpm

0-100km/h Top Speed

9sec 220km/h

+

Even more enjoyable performance, genuinely greater sophistication

–

Subtle styling update, too gadgety for some, costly factory options

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 9:06:41 PM

words & photos David Ting

WHEELSPIN

FIVE FOR FIGHTING It’s not easy being Superman among German executive saloons, which is why BMW has put its 5 Series through a refresher course

The 3-litre hothouse under the hood just blows us away with its pure power, racy character and sheer operating smoothness in all situations……

IN

the German mid-level limousine segment, the cultural divide is easy to see – the traditionalist drives the E-Class, the technologist drives the 5 Series and never the twain shall meet. But Mercedes-Benz raised its game late last year when it upgraded its perennial bestseller with intriguing new technical equipment (like Adaptive Brakes, Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro, Keyless-Go) and welcome improvements in cabin comfort and driving performance. Now BMW fights back with a revised 5 Series.

Like the revamped E-Class, the refreshed 5 Series has had a subtle restyle. It’s so subtle that existing owners can’t tell the difference and automotive anoraks are hard-pressed to point out the cosmetic changes – renewed grille, new glass-covered headlamps with chrome-trimmed direction indicators, a fresh take on the lower

32

air intake, a smoothened back registration plate plinth, and new LED tail-lights. Those rear lamps are probably the most noticeable part of the 5 Series restyling, especially at night when they light up quickly and brightly.

Inside the cabin, the most obvious new feature is the edgy gear selector first seen in the just-arrived second-generation X5 SUV. The radical lever controls a precise six-speed automatic that reacts 40 percent faster than before. Less noticeable than the newfangled gearshifter but nice nonetheless are the larger door pockets, re-optimised power window and mirror switches, improved iDrive interface and graphics, higher-quality materials, and the newly-added row of eight programmable buttons for speedy access to one’s favourite dashboard functions. The electric front seats, adjustable

every which way and equipped with variable torso bolsters, are absolutely fabulous, by the way.

Extra bells and whistles are available to indulge the technology-crazy driver, as demonstrated by our well-equipped 530i media test car, and they are headlined by Lane Change Warning. If you stray from your lane without signalling, the optional $1800 system vibrates the steering wheel to wake up your idea. It only works at 70km/h and above, though, and it can be turned off. Another gadgety motoring aid is the $4700 Head-Up Display, which projects critical driving data like current speed and navigation information on the windscreen in the driver’s direct line of sight. Other cool but costly options for the 5 Series are Adaptive Headlights, HighBeam Assist and Night Vision thermal imaging for things that go bump in the night.

Carma July‘07

pg32-33WheelspBMW 32

6/25/07 9:06:21 PM

In terms of engine output, the entry-point 523i 2.5 develops 190bhp and 235Nm, up slightly from 177bhp and 230Nm, the mid-range 525i remains unchanged, while the 530i 3.0 reviewed here produces 272bhp and 315Nm, up significantly from 258bhp and 300Nm. Equally impressive are BMW’s claimed gains in fuel economy. On the road, the 530i is comfortable yet uncannily chuckable, its ride is seemingly more refined now, and the 3-litre hothouse under the hood just blows us away with its pure power, racy character and sheer operating smoothness in all situations.

Looks like BMW’s Superman of German executive saloons can continue to fly high in the face of strong competition.

SUMMARY BMW 530i 3.0 (A) Price

$238,800 including COE

Engine

6 cylinders in line, 2996cc DOHC 24V

Power

272bhp@6650rpm

Torque

315Nm@2750rpm

0-100km/h Top Speed

9sec 220km/h

+

Even more enjoyable performance, genuinely greater sophistication

–

Subtle styling update, too gadgety for some, costly factory options

July‘07 Carma

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6/25/07 9:06:41 PM

WHEELSPIN

words & photos David Ting

GOOD ONE Modern Mini motoring has an affordable action hero in the new One

THE

old One wasn’t Mini’s finest hour.

Basically a detuned Mini Cooper with an even less inspiring engine and less equipment to boot, the old Mini One was grossly overpriced here at more than $100k for the CVT version. Its successor here starts off on the right foot by being more than $10k cheaper straight out of the showroom, then it builds on this by offering added amenities and greater driveability, making it more Mini for less money and One of the best buys right now in the style segment of the motoring market.

Design-wise, the Mini One roof is colourcoded to match the body and the door mirrors are matt black (the Cooper comes as standard with a white or black contrast roof and mirrors), the alloy wheels have been spun down from 16-inch to 15, and the Cooper’s shiny chrome on the grille and tailgate handle has been deleted.

The overall effect, however, is still striking and impossibly chic, particularly in our demonstrator colour of solid Mellow Yellow, which is gentle yet mental. About the only thing that looks cheap on the One is its tailpipe, whose plain stainless steel

The lethargic initial acceleration encourages you to maintain momentum as far as possible, by minimising braking and planning ahead while on the run, quite like the classic Mini of yore…

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is a lot less attractive than the chrome plating on the Cooper exhaust.

The most obvious omission from the One cockpit is the Cooper’s grippy, lovely three-spoke steering wheel with satellite stereo controls. In its place is a straightforward two-spoker that thankfully feels better than it looks, while the rest of the designer dashboard remains as cool as ever, especially that signature super-sized speedometer. The steering rack is attached to thinner, conventional 175/65 R15 Continental ContiPremiumContact tyres (Cooper gets 195/55 Goodyear run-flats), which translate into a less hyperactive ride. It’s still happily bouncy over uneven urban tarmac though. There is less outright grip at the limit, but this actually makes cornering the Mini even more entertaining because it’s ‘scarier’ now for the keen driver.

Driving the new Mini One is a shorter-stroke version of the smooth Cooper 1.6 16-valver, with the same modern management and fully variable valve control. The 95bhp 1.4 engine is just a tad more powerful than the old One’s 1.6,

but it’s a whole lot sweeter than the unloved unit shared with Chrysler and much more efficient too, with average fuel consumption improved by some 15 percent according to Mini. At the same time, the new One’s six-speed automatic with playful paddle shifters is far more refined and responsive than the previous CVT. Step-off from standstill is dreadfully slow compared to the lively 120bhp auto Cooper, but the One can keep up a surprisingly decent clip once it’s on the move. The car’s mid-range sweet spot is between 3000rpm and 5000rpm where there is a pleasant balance between motive thrust and mechanical fuss. The lethargic initial acceleration, incidentally, encourages you to maintain momentum as far as possible, by minimising braking and planning ahead while on the run, quite like the classic Mini of yore. $90k is big dough for something so small, but if you bear in mind the new Mini One’s larger-than-life persona, snappy styling and hugely likeable driving experience, it’s fair value for money.

SUMMARY Mini One 1.4 (A) Price

$89,800 including COE

Engine

4 cylinders in line, 1397cc DOHC 16V

Power

95bhp@6000rpm

Torque

140Nm@4000rpm

0-100km/h

12.6sec

Top Speed

180km/h

+

Chic design, sweet disposition, much better than old One

–

Tardy take-off, cosmetic deductions, cheap exhaust pipe

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words David Khoo photos David Ting

WHEELSPIN

TOUR OF DUTY A stint in Chrysler’s new 300C Touring quickly convinces us that it’s one tour of duty we wouldn’t mind signing up for

AS

if the larger-than-life looks of the 300C sedan weren’t outstanding enough, the Touring variant makes its local appearance to further drop the jaws of passersby and other road denizens. Coupled to the huge alloy rims, the car’s imposing styling perfectly complements the estate rear to result in a gangsta’s chariot of choice, particularly if blacked-out windows are included as part of the equation.

While most motorists and herd-followers are quick to associate station-wagons with loadlugging beasts of burden that are more function

than form, there’s certainly no hardship involved with owning the 300C Touring, which is not to say the car doesn’t pull its weight when push comes to shove – the cavernous load area, accessible through an unusually-cut tailgate opening, permits the stowing of unreal amounts of cargo and gear that seem disproportionate to the car’s ultra-stylish, Bentley-esque looks.

The 300C Touring’s sleek silhouette is tempered with a distinct musculature, the car exuding a powerful and purposeful stance that has enough street presence to cow the most

hard-nosed taxi uncle in the express lane into moving aside as this behemoth bears menacingly down on the recalcitrant road hog.

The cabin is commodiously sized, with plush leather chairs that offer ample support.

Electric seat adjustment adds a premium touch to the proceedings, while the instrument meters are illuminated with a distinctive green glow that could almost be radioactive in nature! The materials used may not be top-notch, but the build quality is cohesive enough, albeit in a hardwearing agricultural fashion. Gargantuan its

The 300C Touring has enough road presence to cow the most hard-nosed taxi uncle in the express lane into moving aside…

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exterior proportions may be, but the car doesn’t feel that big once you’re at the helm. Outward visibility is good, which comes as some surprise considering the relatively small windows, and the driving position can be optimised for different body sizes.

We still remember the searing SRT8 variant of the 300C sedan with great fondness and fans will be pleased to know that the Touring can be specified with that storming engine. In ‘base’ level, the 300C Touring is animated by a 3.5L V6 that is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission in a configuration that good old Mercedes-Benz drivers will find familiar. There’s a hint of lethargy when moving off from standstill, but bearing in mind the car’s prodigious 1.8tonne kerb weight, this behemoth takes off with surprising urge. I guess that’s where the 250bhpplus and 340Nm really come in helpful. Much of the torque, by the way, is available from the low to mid range, making it ideal for tyre-smoking burn-outs then… An added bonus here is the brakes, which offer stupendous stopping power – no mean feat when one takes the car’s mass into account.

We’ve always had a soft spot for stationwagons, particularly ones which are styled as well as the 300C Touring. For starters, you’re not likely to meet another one on the road. Then there is the sheer street presence, the progressive handling and the limitless benefits to having that much room in the back. Sign on now!

SUMMARY Chrysler 300C Touring 3.5 (A) Price

$168,000 including COE

Engine

6 cylinders in vee, 3518cc SOHC 24V

Power

9253bhp@6400rpm

Torque 0-100km/h Top Speed

340Nm@3800rpm 9.2sec 219km/h

+

Monstrous gangsta good looks, genuine estate practicality, character

–

Straightforward performance, simple cabin materials, great weight

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WHEELSPIN

words Lynn Tan photos Yang

THE UNLIKELY ESTATE The Alfa 159 Sportwagon is like an estate-in-a-sedan, but is it the best of both worlds or master of neither?

In true Alfa Romeo fashion, the Italian marque is not about to sacrifice style just so as to accommodate the mundane practicalities of a station-wagon…

IF

you are looking for a bona fide estate, the 159 Sportwagon – Alfa’s third and latest addition to the 159 line-up – is probably not for you. But like the concept of the recent Nokia Nseries advertising campaign, why settle for just one thing when you can have the best of both worlds and more, in terms of form, with sedan-like looks, and function, by providing that extra bit of storage space where it is needed?

In true Alfa Romeo fashion, the Italian marque is not about to sacrifice style just so as to accommodate the mundane practicalities of a station-wagon. And in true Giugiaro fashion, the 159 Sportwagon is designed to look more like a sports saloon than an estate.

The Sportwagon shares the same athletic exterior as its saloon stablemate, sporting the same six-headlight glare, V-shaped crease on

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the hood and tapering headlights that converge towards the classic shield-shaped grille in the middle. At 4660mm, they are also the exact same length, making the Sportwagon as compact as the saloon. With a streamlined and fluid stroke that continues from nose to tail, coupled with a pronounced groove that conveys a slender appearance, the extra volume in the rear no longer looks like excess baggage, which is a typical flaw in some station-wagons. In fact, you hardly notice the rear compartment at all.

Although at 445 litres it has 40 litres more boot storage space compared to the saloon, the Sportwagon is not big on volume. Its rather highly set loading lip and limited boot opening seem to belong more to a sedan than a wagon.

But there are numerous ingeniously-designed stowage areas located all around the cabin and

trunk, from the usual glovebox and front and rear armrest storage areas, to nifty cubby holes and secret compartments in the boot. These come in really handy for putting away smaller items that tend to slide all over the place.

The Sportwagon may not be a serious load-lugger, but it surely pulls no punches when it comes to performance. Sharing the same 2.2-litre 185bhp Jet Thrust Stoichiometric (JTS) engine as its sedan sibling, the Sportwagon achieves 0 to 100km/h acceleration in a very respectable nine seconds flat, just 0.2 of a second slower than the saloon, and reaches a top speed of 220km/h, a negligible 2km/h shy of the latter, due in part perhaps to the 50kg difference in kerb weights. Power junkies who do not believe in compromising on power even in a practical car can opt for the 3.2-litre V6 260bhp version which

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comes with Alfa’s Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system and zips from nought to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds.

Unlike the 2.2 manual, the 2.2 Selespeed takes some getting used to, like a stallion that requires taming before the equestrian can become one with it. For me, it is as if the beastly Alfa spirit within is fighting to be unleashed. It is up to the driver to either tame it into submission or indulge its unrestrained power. The latter calls for enthusiastic driving all the time. The Seles has no patience for half-hearted manoeuvres that make the ‘automatic’ gear changes rather pronounced, making you feel as if you are holding the car back. The trick to mastering this Selespeed is to drive it as if you would a manual.

In other words, release the accelerator at every up- or down-shift, which helps moderate the jerks. The difficulty is in learning how to predict the moment at which the Selespeed is changing into the next gear. And don’t forget to lift your foot off the gas just before you floor it again in a hard acceleration, so as to avoid the few seconds’ lag in pick-up otherwise.

If you just feel like chilling and cruising, the best way to drive the Selespeed Sportwagon is the clutchless manual way, using either gear shift or paddle shift. You will be treated to a smooth-as-silk drive, complemented by excellent power delivery. The Sportwagon shares the saloon’s good handling, precise steering and strong roadholding. They both have the same front double wishbone and rear multi-link set-up, but the Sportwagon has stiffer suspension in the rear that compensates for heavier loads and also makes for sharper handling.

Unless the extra 40-litre carrying capacity makes a world of difference for you, you are probably better off buying the 159 saloon at $6k less. But rest assured that even when Alfa Romeo comes up with an estate, they do it in style. So saloon or Sportwagon, expect no compromises where design and performance are concerned. So who says you can’t have your estate cake and eat it?

SUMMARY Alfa 159 Sportwagon 2.2 Selespeed Price

$139,800 including COE

Engine

4 cylinders in line, 2198cc DOHC 16V

Power

185bhp@6500rpm

Torque 0-100km/h Top Speed

340Nm@3800rpm 9sec 220km/h

+

Sporty looks despite extra rear volume, good power and handling

–

Falls short of a practical estate package, limited market appeal

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words Foo Yong Han

FEATURE

THE TRIPPY THRILLS OF TRANSFORMERS Pulsating and catchy beats, and that familiar tune… Transformers, more than meets the eye… Transformers, robots in disguise!...

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THE

There is an element of the inexplicable about the eighteenwheeler, and it isn’t so much its impressive presence as the eerily empty driver’s seat...

rumble of the eighteen-wheeler stirs the dust, its sturdy chassis fused to the imposing, gleaming bodywork finished in the finest, rust-free metals. The spectacular vehicle churns through the desert terrain at high speed; unwavering, purposeful and unmoved.

There is an element of the inexplicable about the eighteen-wheeler, and it isn’t so much its impressive presence as the eerily empty driver’s seat. The accelerator and gears switch automatically, seemingly by their own free will.

The unseen force continues to power the vehicle forward until it screeches abruptly to a halt. The jarring jam of brakes sends piercing echoes radiating throughout the desert vista.

The obstacle which lies in the eighteen-wheeler’s path is a construct of equal mass, resonating with menace.

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FEATURE The mechanised manifestation has an aerodynamic profile, sleek all round with sharp, refined edges. It has angled wings which resemble that of a fighter aircraft and missiles slung ominously beneath them. The fighter lookalike jolts into action, inching slowly and steadily towards the eighteen-wheeler.

How a fighter aircraft landed undamaged in the middle of the desert without a proper runway is anybody’s guess. The mystifying part is that the jet, like the eighteen-wheeler it appears to be on a collision course with, has a life of its own, without the need for a pilot. The empty cockpit tells the story.

As the jet picks up speed, the eighteenwheeler cranks into action, reversing with pace but in an unhurried manner, as though it is controlled by a driver who has clocked many miles on the road and who knows his stuff when confronted with a sticky situation, like the runaway jet looming in its view now.

The tense cat-and-mouse game between these two titular man-made transports – one civilian and one military – comes to a head when the advancing jet launches its missiles at the big truck. The exploding warheads ripple with earbursting intensity, the force of their explosions flinging jagged steel and clods of soil over a three-kilometre radius.

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FEATURE

Its metalmorphosis from vehicle to robot is complete when a helmeted head with a visor pops out from the hulking hull…

After the eruption of violence, the clouds of smoke part to reveal the eighteen-wheeler under attack. It is remarkably intact, save for a few dents on its fenders and front bumper, and front tyres slashed to ribbons.

Out of the blue, the eighteen-wheeler starts convulsing, its hull, trailer legs and cargo compartment rocking at the seams. The cargo hold separates into segments attached to the bodyshell while the wheels fold inwards

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and tuck neatly into the undercarriage. Giant robotic arms actuate from the chassis and its trailer legs detach from their metal joints.

The form of the eighteen-wheeler now takes on the look of a giant mechanical contraption.

Its ‘metalmorphosis’ from vehicle to robot is complete when a helmeted head with a visor pops out from the hulking hull of the former eighteen-wheeler.

In a spontaneous response to the truck’s

unexpected robotic formation, the jet too commences a similar routine. The fuselage disassembles itself, absorbing the nose of the jet, and the wings retract smoothly to blend into the sides of the super-engined fuselage, and then a robotic head shoots out from the fighter jet’s upper collar.

The two completely transformed robots now stand toe to toe against each other, their monstrous builds soaring above ground level

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like towers of power. A deep, reverberating, metallic voice wells from the giant form of the eighteen-wheeler robot: “Megatron, you and the Decepticons have done enough harm to this once peaceful and beautiful world. The time has come to put you out of commission.”

The jet robot retorts: “Optimus Prime, forever the fool. The planet Earth is only good for one thing; its bountiful supply of energy and resources. Other than that, it is just another barren rock bereft of significance. Why put on a futile fight for something so worthless?”

Optimus Prime counters: “It isn’t so much the resources, Megatron. It is the people of Earth that matter. It is their warm and personable nature that gives this planet its character.

However, talking sense to you is like talking to a brick wall. Today, one shall stand and one shall fall.”

With those closing words, the Autobot leader deals the first blow to Megatron with a meaty right hook. The rending impact throws Megatron off his feet and sprawls him onto the rocky ground. Optimus Prime follows up the initial attack with a stomp, which Megatron deflects

with a swipe of his powerful arms…

The fan snaps out of his flight of fantasy into the world of Transformers. It has been a while since the fan has been daydreaming about the Transformers. Now journeying into the third decade of his life, the fan has other matters in life to think about, like bread-and-butter issues and the high cost of living. So what prompted the fan to slip back into la-la land? Well, the answer is obvious from this tribute article to the cartoon television series which he grew up with; a cartoon whose characters he has came to idolise and love like unreal action heroes.

That passion has been rekindled by the 2007 Hollywood update and reimagining of his beloved cartoon which debuted 23 years ago.

This temptation to take that trip down memory lane is too attractive a proposition to turn down, and while he waits feverishly for Michael Bay’s big-budget silver screen version, he has only cherished memories and his imagination to rely on until the real deal, not in animated form but in live action format, opens with a bang… bigger, better and all metal.

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words Yang photos Yang, David Ting

FEATURE

CAMERA-PHONE CAR PHOTOGRAPHY 101 We share some tips and tricks on using your handphone camera to shoot cars, using Nokia’s clever new N95 which sports a 5-megapixel digicam

OF

the current crop of camera-phones, Nokia’s high-tech N95 boasts probably the highest practical megapixel count. It comes complete with Carl Zeiss optics, an integrated flash and advanced autofocus, capturing 5megapixel images on a modern CMOS sensor.

Those 2592 x 1944 pixels, by the way, are more than what you get in the original Canon EOS-1D digital SLR, which offers a mere 4 megapixels.

Pro photographers still swear by it though, and we used it here to take the photos not shot with the N95.

Are maximum megapixel numbers really

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important? Is a photojournalist only as good as his gear? Does the famed Carl Zeiss Tessar lens live up to its reputation? Can Nokia’s new power phone pull off a car shoot good enough for publication in Carma? To discover the answers to these questions and more, we arm ourselves with a N95, arrange for a 9-5 (of course) and head out for a simulated car shoot.

When shooting a car, it’s important to grasp the ‘concept’ of how the pictures will go about telling the story. Our subject is a Saab 9-5 SportCombi, and with that in mind, we know that we need a rear shot to show that it’s a station-

wagon. We also want to shoot whatever else is special about the car – maybe its striking sheetmetal facelift, its powerful turbocharged engine and its signature ignition keyhole situated between the front seats. These are the pertinent points one should note when shooting or even chasing cars – everything from the ‘helicopter’ macro view right down to the ‘missile lock-on’ micro view.

We share now some proven shooting techniques you can use with your cellphonecamera to capture a nice car nicely in digital...

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The high-tech N95 comes complete with Carl Zeiss optics, an integrated flash and advanced autofocus, capturing 5-megapixel images on a modern CMOS sensor…

MONEY SHOT There are basically three fundamental tricks when shooting the main opening photo of a car for publication – stand further away and use a longer (telephoto) lens, try whenever possible to show all four wheels of the car, and shoot from a lower angle. Stand too near to the car and you’ll have to use a wider lens, which might cause distortion and mislead the reader. Shooting low lets you show the four wheels of the car, which in turn helps ‘ground’ the car in the photograph.

There is no hard-and-fast rule, of course. Sometimes a higher shot might work better for certain cars and story situations, but the rule of thumb is that if a shot doesn’t look or feel right, go further away and lower your shooting angle. It’s ultimately a bit of a dark art, which is why wielding a $10k camera doesn’t necessarily make one more proficient than the advanced amateur with a $1k cameraphone like the N95.

A point of interest here is that for cellphone-cameras the zoom is often digital, which means a big degradation in image quality. We forgot this and stood quite far away from the Saab when taking the static shots, which turned out too soft to be printed here. Given another chance, we’ll stand closer to the car to avoid having to use any ‘zoom’ at all, and we’ll also hold the phone as steadily as possible when pressing its all-important shoot button.

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FEATURE

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PANNING This is a popular trick that photographers use to portray vehicular speed and movement. The subject (in this case the car) should be pin-sharp while the background has so-called motion blur. Yes, Photoshop ‘cheating’ can deliver a perfectly decent pan, but there’s nothing like the satisfaction of getting it right on camera, straight out of the JPEG lightbox. To ‘trick’ the N95 into using a slower shutter speed, we select the night scene mode without flash. We also choose a shady ‘darker’ background so that the shutter will be opened for a longer period. Due to shutter lag and the slow refresh on the phone’s 2.6-inch LCD display, a certain amount of practice and luck is required, but as can be seen here, the results can be quite rewarding. This particular photo was shot at 1/80th of a second.

DETAILS Virtually every car has certain parts or features which are unique to it, be it an aeroplane-shaped handle (Saab has a rich aeronautical heritage) in the boot or a creative cupholder. Most of these nice details should be shot really close, which is where the N95’s 10-50cm macro mode comes into play.

Our shot of the Saab’s key demonstrates the phone’s handy close-up photo-taking function. It’s also important to pay attention to the little things, such as making sure that the automaker’s logo is upright when shooting the steering wheel or sports rim, and that there is no unnecessary clutter in the picture composition.

POLARISING This is something that not all photographers agree on. I know a certain accomplished automotive photog who does not believe in polarising. So what does polarising actually achieve? Basically, a circular polariser removes the glare from a car’s windscreen and/or unsightly reflections on the car’s body. Don’t have a polariser? Polarising sunglasses work well too – I know because I tried it successfully with the N95!

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by Shreejit Changaroth

TECH-KNOW

40 AND SPINNING FASTER THAN EVER Mazda’s signature engine celebrates its 40th anniversary this year – we hereby pay tribute to rotary technology old and new

The 1969 Singapore Grand Prix was won

by T. Katayama driving a rotary-powered Mazda RE100, which looked no different from the four-cylinder Mazda 1000 Coupe of the same vintage…

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■

THIS

year, while some of us turn 30, some 40 and some even 50, Mazda Motor Corporation celebrates (with somewhat greater enthusiasm and exuberance than the ageing folks) 40 years of Mazda rotary engines. If you are wondering what the big deal is, consider the first of several fascinating facts about this engine: currently, there are no other motorcar manufacturers in the world that produce this compact powerplant, nor is there any company today that has even hinted at the possibility of a new range of rotary-engined cars for the future. The celebratory mood at Mazda’s Hiroshima headquarters is well-deserved as the road to Wankel supremacy was a long and arduous one that indeed could have relegated the rotary engine to forgotten history, were it not for Mazda’s relentless pursuit of an alternative mobile power unit.

Ironically, Mazda’s specialty engine was actually invented by a German named Felix

Wankel (1902-1988) and first installed in the German-made NSU cars of 1960. Mr Wankel was not a car enthusiast (never possessed a driving licence during his life), but he was fascinated by internal combustion powerplants and obsessed with finding a rotary alternative to the piston engine. Soon after World War II, the NSU company saw the future in rotary engines and began collaborations with Felix Wankel.

In the meantime, the Toyo Kogyo Company (aka Mazda), convinced of the potential in this invention, went on to establish a cooperative agreement with NSU. The first production car with a Wankel powerplant was the NSU Spider, which was produced from 1964 till 1967. This little convertible sports car was powered by a singlerotor Wankel displacing 497cc, but its greatness lay in the power and torque figures which were 50bhp and 70Nm respectively. In case you missed the point, that’s a shade over 100bhp

(left) The turbo rotary in the RX-7 Mk 2 (below) The 1967 Cosmo Sport was Mazda’s first production rotary car

per litre, a specific output that is even today something of a rarity in production cars. While the NSUs proved to be among the quickest cars in their class, their engine’s longevity – or rather lack of it – was its death knell that eventually led to the NSU brand being reduced to a mere ring on the Audi badge! Strangely, while the pioneer of rotary combustion engines ended its affair with Wankel power, Mazda persevered and, despite a brief financial crisis during the 1973 oil fiasco, rotary-engined Mazdas grew from strength to strength, culminating in the fabulous Renesis 13B unit that drives the RX-8 today. The stylish four-door sportster can trace its glorious engine lineage all the way back to the Cosmo Sport of 1967, Mazda’s very first roadgoing rotary model. Back in 1969, by the way, the Singapore Grand Prix was won by T. Katayama driving a rotary-powered Mazda RE100, which looked no different from the four-cylinder Mazda 1000 Coupe of the same vintage.

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TECH-KNOW

Like the common four-stroke piston engine, a Wankel powerplant works on the principle of the Otto cycle, which means a four-stage combustion process – intake, compression, combustion, exhaust. However, unlike the piston engine where the piston reciprocates in the cylinder to accomplish the four stages, the rotary engine does its job while spinning in one direction throughout. The rotor – the moving element analogous to the piston – is triangular-shaped, with a ring gear in the centre to mesh with the crankshaft. Its working environment, as the cylinder is to the piston, is an interestingly-shaped geometric form known as epithrochoid. Its profile is rather like an hour glass with a none too sexy waist. Felix Wankel of course did not have computer-aided facilities to develop the epitrochoid form, but then he did not need it. The locus (or path) of a fixed point in a circle that is rolling on the circumference of a stationary circle of twice the diameter, will produce an epitrochoid. All you need is a children’s spyrographic kit and you can even generate it yourself.

The triangular rotor revolves eccentrically within the epitrochoid chamber, continuously in one direction. What is immediately obvious then is the fact that nothing in the Wankel engine is required to decelerate, stop, and then accelerate in the opposite direction as the piston does in a cylinder. Less obvious is the fact that a rotary engine does not require camshafts, valves, rockers, timing sprockets or timing chains/belts. There is also no cylinder head to house a combustion chamber where induction, compression, combustions and exhaust take place in the reciprocating engine.

The result is a compact and light assembly with just two moving components – the rotors and the crankshaft.

Interestingly, the Wankel’s Otto process takes place in three different parts of the chamber because the air/fuel charge is inducted in the intake zone and ‘scooped’ by the rotor to the combustion zone, by which time it is already compressed. Conventional spark plugs (two per chamber) then initiate ignition and cause gaseous expansion otherwise known as the power stroke, at which point the rotor receives its motive force, simultaneously carrying the burnt gases to the exhaust ports. Separate working zones mean a cooler combustion chamber, less scavenging and lower NOx emissions.

With four decades of invaluable experience

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(above) The third-generation RX-7 rotary rocket is still a sports car par excellence

with rotary engines, Mazda is the only automaker today capable of mass-producing Wankel’s invention. Others have toyed with it in the past, notably Daimler AG (then known as DaimlerBenz) which built a fabulous sports prototype packing a triple-rotor engine amidships. The Mercedes C111 still looks awesome today, but neither the concept nor the engine was exploited by its creator. General Motors had a go at it too, but again it never took off beyond prototype stage.

It was only the French Citroen car company who, with their love for the extraordinary, appreciated the unconventional rotary and produced a version of the excellent GS called the GS Birotor. Yes, as its name implied, the engine in front was a twin-

rotor unit. Totalling 995cc of displacement, it produced no less than 107bhp at 6500rpm. Sadly, Wankel reliability still had some way to go at that time and all GS Birotors suffered premature rotor seal wear. The entire project was such a disaster that Citroen is rumoured to have bought back the last few remaining GS Birotors to avoid further warranty claims.

The little seal at each apex of the three-sided rotor was perhaps the most challenging problem during its development. Like the piston rings of a reciprocating engine, the seal maintains air-tightness within each chamber, in order to maximise compression pressures and control oil seepage. Early Wankel engines suffered seriously

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high wear on the seals, which was the primary reason why NSUs and the Birotor Citroens joined the list of disaster-automobiles. The cause of premature seal wear was eventually only isolated by Mazda’s Rotary Engine Research Division – harmonic vibrations created a situation where the seals were impacting the rotor wall as it rotated, leaving permanent marks and fatally wounding the sealed boundary.

Whatever its reliability, the rotary powerplant always boasted compactness, light weight, simplicity and very high specific power. Modernday Mazda rotary cars are every bit as reliable as any of their contemporaries and require no special care or maintenance. In its latest form, the Renesis 13B of the RX-8, also a bi-rotor, screams happily to 9000rpm with no perceptible change in smoothness, and despite a mere 1308cc of total rotor displacement, produces 250bhp. That works out to an astonishing 191bhp per litre, or two and a half times the specific output of a Pagani Zonda!

Today’s Mazda rotary engines are durable enough, so there are now turbocharged production versions and experimental hydrogen ones. Dual-fuelled Renesis RX-8s are in regular use in Japan as part of Mazda’s alternative fuel programme. The rotary engine is particularly well suited to hydrogen fuel because unlike in

■

(left) Felix Wankel, inventor of the rotary powerplant (right) Kenichi Yamamoto, chief engineer for Mazda’s original rotary engine

a piston engine, the intake chamber – as we described above – is at a different location and hence in a relatively low temperature region, so incoming hydrogen gas does not undergo self-ignition, a problem faced by H2-fuelled piston engines.

Whether fuelled by liquid petroleum fuel or gaseous hydrogen, the internal combustion automotive engine exists today in two variants – the ubiquitous reciprocating piston and the Mazda-only Wankel!

July‘07 Carma

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IN GEAR

Dr. Martens Jay 7 Eye & Lenny 5 Eye Cap The new Jay collection offers a younger, fresher and more casual approach to Dr. Martens shoe styling without compromising comfort and durability. The premium Greenland leather and suede combinations on the upper provide a uniquely contemporary finish. Other features include stripe canvas lining, a canvas and leather footbed on a removable Eva sockliner, and a wedge midsole for lightweight cushioning. The new Lenny collection adopts the same design approach as Jay, albeit with iconic greasy and wildhorse leathers combined with a “tec tuff” material, in addition to a compression-moulded phylon midsole and a flexible, lightweight low-profile rubber outsole.

Lacoste Rene Holiday Inspired by the original Rene Lacoste tennis shoe from 1963, this new line features a unique herringbone canvas and reflects the true heritage of the brand. The sailor bags and roll bags remind us of a yachting lifestyle, especially in poppy red and navy colours. The Lacoste Rene Holiday bag collection will be available from next month at the Lacoste Leathergoods & Accessories Boutique in Suntec City Mall and at the second-level ladies bag department of Takashimaya.

Kooshi Resort Clothes Collection Get into the holiday spirit this summer (which is every day in Singapore) with Kooshi’s latest clothing creations in cool cotton, delectable poly-spandex and poly-satin. The Kooshi wardrobe includes a printed mesh knit dress with lace trimmings, a soft sheer chiffon slip with adjustable ribbon shoulder straps, sexy satin shorts with front drawstrings, a comfy cami and boxer set, a smocked tube dress, and a boatneck top with ¾ sleeves. Buy online at www.kooshi.com.

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Carma July‘07

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Simmons Beautyrest Black Some of the most lavishly priced mattresses available in the market today, this luxury collection is presented by the world’s leading manufacturer of bedding products.

Comprising three distinct lines called Helena, Florence and Temptation, the Simmons Beautyrest Black range includes all the motion separation and conformability elements for which the Beautyrest mattress is renowned, coupled with exquisite detailing, superb tailoring and opulent materials. Visit www.simmons.com.sg for more information.

The Café Cartel New Menu Based on the concept of a New York deli and now in its 10th year of operation, The Café Cartel has 10 outlets throughout Singapore, all of which provide table service with no service charge. The casual restaurant chain’s recently refreshed menu is set to make its customers even more spoilt for choice – the 50 new food items range from delicious club sandwiches to chunky giant burgers to fruity smoothies. Visit www.cafecartel.com.sg for more information.

Creative ZEN Stone & ZEN Stone Plus Priced at only S$69, this tiny, featherweight 1GB MP3 player features a smooth contoured design, making it feel naturally comfortable in your hand.

It is so light that at first, you might not believe it is an MP3 player. Just drag and drop up to 500 songs to the ZEN Stone, choose “Play” or “Random” and enjoy up to 10 hours of your favourite songs from a single charge of the rechargeable, built-in battery. The cool ZEN Stone is available in six different high-gloss colours – black, white, red, blue, pink and green – to suit any mood or fashion mode.

Complementing the new ZEN Stone is the newer ZEN Stone Plus, an equally cute 2GB MP3 player with an extra set of features that include a vibrant screen display, FM radio, voice recording, a clock and a stopwatch.

Best of all, the ZEN Stone Plus retails at a reasonable S$99, and like its simpler sibling, it can be customised with a wide range of bespoke accessories. Visit www.sg.creative.com for more information.

July‘07 Carma

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IN GEAR

Fujitsu LifeBook T4220 This 12.1-inch full-featured convertible tablet PC is aimed at road-warrior professionals, ace students, and workers in specialist industries like healthcare. Weighing less than 2kg and running on the new Intel platform, the T4220 is designed to achieve more with less and at the best possible price.

This latest LifeBook’s party trick is of course its sensational bi-directional hinge, which allows the screen to swing both ways.

Visit www.pc-ap.fujitsu.com for more information.

Sennheiser PCX350 & PCX450 These high-end travel headphone models satisfy the frequent flyer’s demand for excellent sound quality, maximum comfort and effective reduction of background noise, allowing perfect enjoyment of music and movie soundtracks on the move. As both models are designed primarily for travel, they can be folded up easily and quickly and come complete with a space-saving transport case, a 3.5mm double mono in-flight adaptor and a 6.3mm jack adaptor. The higher-end PCX450 also features TalkThrough, an innovative technology that allows the user to conduct a conversation without removing his headphones.

Visit www.sennheiserasia.com for more information.

Vertu Ascent Ferrari 1947 This limited edition mobile phone celebrates Ferrari’s 60th anniversary this year. Inspired by Ferrari’s sporty and stylish supercars, this new Vertu sports hand-polished titanium for its chassis, red and black Ferrari leather with black lacquer stripes at the sides for its case, the famed Prancing Horse logo on its bezel nose front and a scaled-down, high-grade aluminium Ferrari brake pedal on its backplate. Each Ascent Ferrari 1947 collectible is individually serialised from “0001” to “1947”, underlining its exclusivity. Visit www.vertu.com for more information.

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6/26/07 7:03:14 PM

mag.ai

6/25/07

10:02:24 AM

Your Car Stylist - GenConcept www.genconcept.com.sg

m.sg www.genconcept.co

www.genco ncept.com.sg

Do YOU want....

Visit us at the CATS carnival @ Singapore Expo Hall 5 on 8th July 07 Free Admission!

The RIDE of YOUR DREAMS?

Dress up your car with the latest designs at GenConcept using a large assortment of fully-customized vinyl cutouts and inkjet printings. Aluminium embossed, Chrome and European carplates and customised non-adhesive car decals are also available.

Chromed Plates

Aluminium Embossed

European Plates

Many designs available @ our showroom: 3014 Ubi Road 1 #01-296 S(408702) Oper. Hrs: Mon - Sat :10.00am - 8.30pm Sun/P.H. :10.00am - 4.30pm Tel : (65) 6841 8411 Email: enquiries@genconcept.com.sg Website: www.genconcept.com.sg Proudly sponsored/supported by:

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Regardless whether a consumer is driving a continental car or an economy car, all cars can benefit from extra sound insulating.

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Special Edition

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We are using films that are made in USA using Nanotechnology to give drivers high visible light transmission, heat reduction with extensive use of precious metals.

Upon installing drivers can expect 99% UV protection, extensive heat reduction, reduce mirror effect greenhouse effect & improve scratch resistance. Drivers will be able to enjoy a more comfortable ride overall with our films! Professional installers will be working on your car to give your car the tint you want!

Stand out from the rest...

Carbon Fibre Design Stickers Want to make your ride stand out from the rest but tired of the normal decal look? No budget for air brush painting? Here at SILENT we have just the right solution for you. We provide full graphic custom design stickers for your car made from high quality material that will not fade, even under harsh environment.

At SILENT, we also provide Carbon Fibre printed decals that cost just a fraction compared to the real ones giving your car a sporty look. Various designs to choose from.

NEW OUTLET OPENING SOON

SILENT PRO SHOP the ultimate acoustic material

www.silent.com.sg

No 2 Penjuru Place Penjuru Tech Hub #01-11 S608780

15 Commonwealth Lane Lot 45/46/47/48 Commonwealth Carmall Singapore 149544 Tel: 6779 6383 / 6475 8500 Fax: 6475 7900 Email: silent@singnet.com.sg Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (Including Sunday & Public Holidays)

We provide the following services Sound Proofing, Audio System, Window Tinting, Car Grooming, Motorsports, Acessories, Performance Parts, Car Alarms, Car Spray Painting, Customized Car Mats, Customized Decals/Car Graphics Stickers, Air Brush/Carbon Fiber Stickers, Tyres, Rims, Bodykits and etc.

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6/25/07 10:18:11 AM

INSTALLMENT PLANS FOR DBS/POSB HOLDERS

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Your one-stop accessories provider.

Billion Super Solid Coolant Line

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STD Spring System

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Sporty Race Car Seats for your pleasure

Spring and Suspensions

ECO Intelligent Informeter

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Sprint Booster Power Converter

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Remus Exhaust

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Various Fog Lamps

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15 Commonwealth Lane Lot 45/46/47/48 Commonwealth Carmall Singapore 149544 Tel: 6779 6383 / 6475 8500 Fax: 6475 7900 Email: silent@singnet.com.sg Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (Including Sunday & Public Holidays)

We provide the following services Sound Proofing, Audio System, Window Tinting, Car Grooming, Motorsports, Acessories, Performance Parts, Car Alarms, Car Spray Painting, Customized Car Mats, Customized Decals/Car Graphics Stickers, Air Brush/Carbon Fiber Stickers, Tyres, Rims, Bodykits and etc.

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THIS MONTH’S

HIGHLIGHTS

S

OB J D MO

THE SWIFTER SWIFT! This modded Suzuki Swift Sport is like a double Espresso – compact, and guaranteed to awaken the senses!

CIAL SPE

ORT

REP

SINOPEC IN SINGAPORE SINOPEC lubricant oils

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M R.P.

O ICEC

WIZELY AND NE! SWIFTLY DONE!

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Wize Electronicss Suzuki Swift

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SPEEDING...AT THE POLICE ACADEMY? Texas Revolution Autocarnival 2007

6/25/07 6:30:43 PM

Exclusive VIBE Audio Pro Shop • Aeon Customs 494 Changi Road [Junction of Frankel Ave] • Dai-ichi Pte Ltd 1 Rochor Canal Road #01-07 (Facing Rochor Canal Road) Sim Lim Square SC • Darren Auto Accessories & Air-cond 2 Bukit Batok St. 24 #02-12 Skytech Building • Foon Audio Garage 284 Macpherson Road • Kee Radio Auto Car Accessories 53 Ubi Ave 1 #01-01 Paya Ubi Industrial Park • Konceptz Audio 148 Mackenzie Road • Leader Auto Trading Co Blk 844 Sims Ave #01-708 • Specialist Audio Accessories Blk 125 Bukit Merah Lane #01-166 • Silent Pro Shop 15 Commonwealth Lane Lot 45/46/47/48 Commonwealth Carmall

ADVAN SYN PTE LTD 12 Tannery Lane #07-01

advansyn-vibe apr07.indd 1

Santat Building

S 347775

www.advan-syn.com Tel: (65) 6253 7737 Fax: (65) 6354 1676

6/25/07 9:52:33 AM

MOD JOB words Tony Tan & photos Yang

The Swifter Swift

This mini pocket rocket can crack 8 seconds for the century sprint and hug bends like if it was on rails. All this for less than 70 big ones!

THE

Suzuki Swift Sport has been a godsend to drivers looking for an adrenaline rush without breaking the bank.

Carrying from where its predecessor, the Suzuki Swift GTi, left off many years ago, the Swift Sports has been hugely popular with performance enthusiasts looking for a hot hatch without breaking the proverbial bank.

Armed with a twincam 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine with VVT (variable valve timing) capable of producing 125bhp and 148Nm and designed with a whole slew of technological features gleaned from Suzuki’s extensive participation in the JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship),

the Swift Sport would have been more than enough for most drivers but not Mok. Mok has been driving many performance cars for over 10 years and the Swift Sport was something that suited him to a “T”. He had been eyeing the Swift Sport for quite some time as he needed a second car to satisfy the petrolhead in him but he did not want to spend too much. The Swift Sport’s sub-$70k price tag, and pedigree, proved to be a perfect fit and he opted for the high-spec version with the factory-fitted Recaro seats and Xenon HID headlights.

However, even before he collected the keys to his new ride, he had already planned a whole

catalogue of modifications to be done to make his Swift Sport that much faster and look even more ‘gung-ho’. Immediately after collecting his car, the modifications began in earnest.

First up were customised graphics expertly designed and applied by Visionworz. Next up, the standard 16-inch wheels and tyres were the first to go. In their place, a set of 18-inch O.Z. Ultraleggera lightweight alloy wheels, shod with Toyo Proxes T1R 215/35 R18 tyres were fitted.

A set of Swift Sport lowering springs, which reduced the ride height by about an inch, was then fitted and the car now ‘hugs’ the road and looks great from any angle. Cusco front and rear

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MOD JOB RPM

sway bars and a Cusco front strut brace were then installed to beef up the stiffness of the chassis and improve the car’s roadholding and handling capabilities. With these mods in place, Mok took his car out for a quick spin before the engine modifications began and judging from the big grin on his face, he was pleased as punch with his Swift Sport’s newfound verve in the twisty stuff!

Mok decided that he did not want the M16A residing in the engine bay to be ‘touched’ internally so ho opted for bolt-on performance accessories instead. Broquet Top Fueller 60, Fission engine enhancer, Sprint booster, OWS iridium spark plugs, Suzuki Sport ignition cables, Suzuki Sport carbon fibre ram air intake, HKS street-legal exhaust muffler and Supersprint 4-to-1 extractor were installed over a few days and last but not least, a Suzuki Sport short shifter was fitted to keep the gearchanges quick and precise as Mok shifts through the five-speed gearbox.

Braking hardware was left largely untouched as the Swift Sport already comes with disc rotors all-round as standard. The only modifications were a set of Ezcess steel-braded brake hoses a dosage of Lucas 600 brake fluid.

All in all, Mok predicts an addition of about 10-15bhp and acceleration runs have seen this power-upped Swift Sport consistently record 0 – 100km/h timings of around 8 seconds or under. Runs up the North-South have also seen speeds of 190km/h easily attained with ‘horses’ to spare!

All in all, this Swift Sport has been a joy to

drive and Mok has been spending many hours looking for the best B-roads in Singapore and Malaysia, as well as paying regular visits to Sepang. By keeping the modifications sensible and within his predetermined budget, Mok’s Swift Sport is a great example for anyone looking to mod his (or her) car for looks as well as everyday usability and performance.

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SPECS LIST EXTERIOR STYLING Visionworz customised graphics INTERIOR STYLING Momo gear knob Sparco steering wheel ENGINE Broquet Top Fueller 60 Fission engine enhancer Sprint booster OWS iridium spark plugs Suzuki Sport ignition cables Suzuki Sport carbon fibre ram air intake HKS street-legal exhaust muffler Supersprint 4-to-1 extractor Suzuki Sport short shifter CHASSIS & WHEELS/TYRES 7.5 x 18-inch O.Z. Ultraleggera 215/35 R18 Toyo Proxes T1R Swift Sport lowering springs Cusco front and rear sway bars Cusco front strut brace

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by Tony Tan

SPECIAL REPORT

SINOPEC, now in Singapore The first barrel of SINOPEC lubricant oil, commonly used in China’s aerospace industry, formally comes off the local production line

FROM

now on, when Singapore drivers and car owners choose lubricant oil products, a new name of quality is available. On 6 June 2007, the first barrel of SINOPEC lubricant oil was filled and released off the production line and with this as the starting point, SINOPEC lubricant oil, which originates from China’s aerospace science and technology industry, will be available locally.

SINOPEC is the largest petroleum and chemical enterprise in China and ranks 23rd in the world’s top 500 enterprises. As an integral part of its brand, SINOPEC lubricant oil has rapidly grown to become one of the leading lubricant oil brands in Asia. For this reason, the Chinese Government and relevant governmental departments attach great importance to the off-line production of SINOPEC lubricant oil.

OFFICIALS

from International Enterprise Singapore and the Economic Development Board, officials of China’s embassy in Singapore as well as relevant officials from LUBRICANT COMPANY, SINOPEC CORP were present at the historic ceremony in celebration of the official off-line production of the first barrel of SINOPEC lubricant oil in Singapore.

At the off-line ceremony, a senior official introduced SINOPEC as the designated special oil for China’s manned spacecraft, which has attracted worldwide attention in recent years. SINOPEC has served China’s aerospace industry for almost 50 years and SINOPEC products have been applied to components of China’s first lunar satellite, which will be launched in the second half of this year.

According to technical experts, space flight is the most exacting of environments as spacecrafts are exposed to extremely severe conditions, including ultra-high temperatures, large temperature differences, strong oxidation, high load, high rotation speed, high vacuum and high radiation.

Therefore, the strictest of demands must be imposed on the quality and capabilities of the lubricant oil. It is for this reason that few lubricant companies are in a position to supply lubricant oil products for space flight.

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“WE

are happy to be recognised by a world-class company like SINOPEC as a trusted business base to launch its new range of products, and to develop its brand name. It is also a significant development for Singapore to be able to offer competitive manufacturing solutions to a major Chinese company.” said Mr Chua Taik Him, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board. “SINOPEC’s project adds value to our industry development and creates meaningful jobs.”

Relevant industry insiders are of the opinion that the Asia Pacific market of has always been taken seriously by international lubricant companies, such as Shell and ExxonMobil. The arrival of SINOPEC lubricant oil products will not only enable local consumers to enjoy the benefits and advantages brought about by aerospace science and technology, but local and regional market competition will be intensified and more benefits will be created for consumers as they choose lubricant oil products.

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SPECIAL REPORT

MORE POWER LASTS LONGER

These batteries from Bosch ensure your ride is never short of “juice” again

BOSCH BATTERIES – OPTIMAL STARTING POWER FOR ALL VEHICLES Bosch has been making batteries since 1927, when battery ignition for motor vehicles was introduced, and they have been pushing back the limits of performance and efficiency ever since. Over the decades, battery technology has advanced greatly to meet the technical requirements of modern vehicles as well as to comply with environmental concerns. The demands placed on a modern power supply are far greater than they were in those early days.

Electric windows, sun roofs, air conditioning, ABS, airbags and increased temperatures in the engine compartment combine to increase demand and reduce battery life.

Bosch continues to maintain its leadership in battery innovation and development. With the introduction of a clear and compact battery program, there is a battery to suit every performance requirement, providing high starting power at any temperature, long service life and lowest discharge rate. Bosch’s latest breakthrough came with the Calcium-Silver alloy technology. This technical innovation has led to a quantum leap in performance in terms of starting power and service life.

HIGH PERFORMANCE AND LONG SERVICE LIFE The number of in-vehicle components requiring electric power has grown steadily in recent years. Batteries must therefore meet ever higher requirements. Starter batteries from Bosch are long-lasting, reliable at high temperature ranges and provide strong starting power.

For every customer requirement, there is the right battery. Bosch offers highest starting power to safely support wide-ranging energy consuming components (S5) as well as powerful performance for dependable energy supply (S4) and economic solutions for basic performance requirements (S3).

Bosch Battery S5 – The Premium Energy Source for Highest Performance Requirements •Innovative Bosch Silver Technology • 30% more Starting Power than other leading products • Safe Starting in extreme Temperatures • Powerful Supply for Energy Consuming Components (Audio, Visual, Navigation System, etc) • 30% increased Service Life • Zero Maintenance • Fulfils and surpasses Original-Equipment Manufacturers’-Recommendations • Minimum Self-Discharge • High Vibration Endurance via Center Strap • High Robustness with Double Cover Structure • Easy Check-up through Charging Indicator

Bosch Battery S4 – The Powerful Energy Source for every Car • Calcium-Calcium Technology • High Starting Power • Safe Starting in extreme Temperatures • Dependable Supply for Energy Consuming Components (Audio, Visual, Navigation Systems, etc) • Extended Service Life • Zero Maintenance • Meets stringent Requirements of OriginalEquipment-Manufacturers • Low Self-Discharge • Suitable for all Road Conditions • Easy Check-up through Charging Indicator

Bosch Battery S3 – The Economic Energy Source for Basic Performance Requirements • Dependable Starting Power • Suitable for a wide range of passenger vehicles, pick-up trucks and other commercial vehicles with few Energy Consuming Components • Easy Top-up of Battery Acid • Quick Recharging

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6/25/07 8:28:38 PM

Performance

The Premium Energy Source for Highest Performance Requirements

The Powerful Energy Supply for every Car

The Economic Energy Source for Basic Performance Requirements

Specifics

Fulfils and surpasses OEM Specifications

Meets OEM specifications

Fulfils the Norm Standard

Maintenance

Zero Maintenance

Zero Maintenance

Low and Easy Maintenance

Service Life

30% increased Service Life

Extended Service Life

Long Service Life

Bosch Battery S5 - The Premium Energy Source for Highest Performance Requirements Patented and Unique

Bosch’s unique Silver Technology: - Improved starting power at any temperature - Increased Service Life - Significantly reduced Self-discharge - Corrosion Resistant - Reinforced Grid Structure

Side Connectors

Pocket Separator

Microporous Pocket Separator - prevents active mass crumbling - Increased Service Life - Increase Starting Power

Cast Metal - Positive Grid

Cast Metal-Positive Grid - Stable frame through Cast Form - Reduced Grid Growth - Increased Service Life - Reduced Short Circuits risks

Labyrinth Lid Structure Integrated Backfire Protection prevents external ignition of battery gases while retaining fluids Bosch Singapore Tel: 6350 5427 Email:automotive@bosch.com.sg Website: www.entrustauto.com

-

Special Welding Technology Safe and low-resistance lug-connection Prevents power losses Increases Stability of the plates via centrally located connectors - Improve Starting Power

- Bosch double Lid structure - Labyrinth Lid construction - Zero Maintenance - Low acid consumption

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6/25/07 8:29:22 PM

words & photos Kelvin LeeLee words & photos Kelvin

ICECOOL ICECOOL

Wizely and Swiftly Done!

A wise enthusiast + Wize Electronics = Endless music enjoyment!

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6/25/07 5:14:04 PM

MONEY

makes the world go around and Carma reader Marcus is very savvy when it comes to making money. He is after all, an investment advisor, and his clients have benefitted from his passion and invaluable advice when it comes to fattening their bank accounts.

Marcus other passion lies with the world of ICE; not of the zero degree variety but of the sweet sounding and loud bassy type that he wants to listen to after a hard day’s work.

So, together with his Suzuki Swift, he sought out Terence of Wize Electronics for some muchneeded ICE advice on how to convert his car’s stock standard CD/radio headunit and speakers set-up into a ‘solid’ ICE system.

Marcus wanted a system that can do-it-all – tight and powerful bass, tuneful and sweet vocals, and Terence, with these requirements as well as the inherent space constraints of the compact Suzuki Swift’s interior in mind, designed a system that not only delivered on both counts but was also well within Marcus’s budget.

Before anything was installed, the seats and carpets were removed and the entire floor and doors were laid bare. Next, rolls of highly-effective CAE soundproofing mats were carefully ‘applied’ and these mats will serve to effectively reduce wind, tyre and traffic noise, as well as to ensure that all vibrations are kept to an absolute minimum.

After careful consideration, Marcus chose the Pioneer P80 headunit to be the ‘brain’ of the set-up and who could blame him. The P80 is packed with features like a Burr Brown advance D/A converter, built-in DSP, time alignment, 3 gold-plated RCA outputs, multi-media playback capability and a host of other ‘delicious’ features in its single-DIN chassis. As an added plus, the simple yet stylish look of the P80 blended with the outlook of the dashboard perfectly; like as if they were made for each other.

‘Juicing’ up the set-up were Italian-made Sinfoni power amplifiers which are renowned for their excellent sound reproduction and sonic competency. State-of-the-art Sinfoni Amplitude 45.2 amplifiers were tasked to drive CDT Eurosports ES 620 midwoofers and ES 02 tweeters actively, while low frequency duties were taken care of by a 12” CDT EF 120 subwoofer which draws its power from a single Sinfoni Amplitude 90.2. Connecting everything together were high-quality Phoenix Gold connectors and RCA connectors.

Since Marcus loved sentimental and instrumental tracks, I used an audiophile-quality CD from Sheffield Labs to give the set-up a ‘test drive’. While listening to a fairly technical track, the saxophone played out sweetly and the all-important imaging was spot on; right in the centre and on top of the dashboard.

High frequencies were slightly sharp but vividly precise and even the most minute nuances could be made out. Not bad for a do-it-all setup. Last but not least, the beating drums and thrumming bass guitar was also competently reproduced, further impressing me and Marcus, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Installation was neatly done as expected, by the experts at Wize Electronics and there was still enough space in the boot for a day’s luggage. The finishing touch of a single piece of Perspex with the Sinfoni logo etched on it was a perfect end to Marcus’s search for his dream ICE set-up.

Wize Electronics Pte Ltd Tel: 6774 6065.

EQUIPMENT LIST Pioneer P80 Headunit 2 x Sinfoni Amplitude 45.2 Power Amplifiers Sinfoni Amplitude 90.2 Power Amplifier 2 x CDT Eurosports ES 620 6.5” Midwoofers 2 x CDT Eurosports ES 02 2” Tweeters CDT EF 120 Subwoofer Phoenix Gold Power Cables Phoenix Gold RCA Interconnect RS 2.750 (5m) Phoenix Gold Speaker Cables.

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6/25/07 5:14:19 PM

by Tony Tan words & photos Kelvin Lee

ICECOOL ICECOOL

Late 20s and 30s drivers, Pioneer’s calling These AV beauties from Pioneer are set to make it even harder for you to leave your car after you have reached your destination

THE

AVH-P7950DVD, the AVH-P5950DVD, the AVH-P4950DVD and the DVHP5950MP from Pioneer are targeted at drivers in their late twenties to thirties who place a premium on functionality and price as well as the need for the latest in information and entertainment. This trendy group of drivers are almost always in-tune with the latest trends and styles, and with these new, multi-featured and cool-looking AV headunits from Pioneer, they can further induldge in their passion.

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ng

ANTICIPATED

to be a bestseller, the AVH-P5950DVD was designed as the complete, integrated AV system for the young driver whose lifestyle is focused on individuality and self-expression.

Never compromising on style, the AVHP5950DVD looks sleek with its piano finished monitor and half-mirror finished front panel, supporting selectable on-screen display colour and key illumination. There are five ‘happening’ display colours available - bold Blue, racy Red, alluring Amber, gorgeous Green or vivid Violet.

Additionally, there are two key panel illumination colours to choose from - royal Blue and romping Red. This superb feature allows the driver to mix and match to suit the taste or mood.

Imagine ‘beat bopping’ with the car’s ambience swathed in the cool, sea-like Blue of the display, instantly transforming your car into a yacht on wheels, or romancing your date while basking in the glow of rich, rose-bloom Red hues as you and your sweetheart make your way to the hottest café in town.

The AVH-P5950DVD meets the growing demand for MP3 playback by allowing the direct connection of portable music players.

Convenience is highlighted - connect your iPod® to the for direct control of iPod® audio and video menus and selections via the on-screen touch panel. This makes song and scene access and the search feature amazingly rapid and easy. The AVH-P5950DVD has been designed to cater to 3rd, 4th or 5th-generation iPod®s for enhanced convenience.

Cannot live without your favourite movie?

Create a DivX® movie on a PC, burn it to a disc, and play it in on the AVH-P5950DVD which plays DivX® video files from CDs and DVDs. The 7-inch LCD colour display, equipped with an anti-glare screen coating, shows any recording vividly and crystal-clearly. Settings, source access and playback via touch panel with GUI (Graphic User Interface) makes operation effortless.

As the ultimate car A/V system, the AVHP5950DVD also features: 1. DVD Auto play with the ability to skip the “warning message” and go directly to the DVD menu 2. Rear mini-jack in for add-on audio and video devices to provide more entertainment through the system 3. 7 Band Graphic EQ lets user customize their preferred sound equalization 4. USB Adapter ready helps make it simple to expand the system listening library 5. Multi-format media on DVD-R with the ability to read the various formats WMA/ AAC/DiVX/MP3 – that is recorded onto the disc)

COMPLETING

the line-up are the AVH-P7950DVD which offers the complete movie theatre entertainment at your fingertips, AVH-P4950DVD which comes with powerful entertainment capabilities at an affordable price tag, and DVH-P5950MP which has the capability to expand connectivity, providing the ultimate in-car experience.

Available at all authorised Pioneer dealers

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71 6/25/07 5:16:39 PM

words & photos Kelvin Lee

ICECOOL

IN

the ever-changing ICE industry, Wize Electronics Pte Ltd and Phoenix Gold share a distributor-manufacturer relationship that most will envy. This special relationship started five years ago when Wize Electronics Pte Ltd was appointed by Phoenix Gold as their sole distributor and since then, both these companies have grown from strength to strength.

For their part, Wize Electronics Pte Ltd has been giving constructive feedback to Phoenix Gold based on their own, and their customers’ experiences, and Phoenix Gold in turn, has learnt much from these comments. This open, two-way channel of communication has led to changes and improvements in their subsequent product ranges which have benefitted both companies.

In line with both companies’ common philosophy of always seeking improvement, Wize Electronics Pte Ltd held a product launch cum welcome party on 29 May 2007 at the RELC Hotel.

IN WITH THE NEW...

AND THE OLD Double celebrations as Wize Electronics launches new Phoenix Gold products and welcomes back a familiar face

THE

product launch highlighted Phoenix Gold’s muchvaunted Radial SD and Ryval range of power amplifiers and speakers. Wize Electronics Pte Ltd, on behalf of Phoenix Gold, also took this opportunity to make muchneeded clarifications regarding the latter’s recent delisting in USA. In short, Phoenix Gold has been bought over by an investment group and these new investors have every intention of taking the brand to even greater heights and prominence.

The welcome party was to...welcome back Kirk Lim as Managing Director of the company. Kirk was head-hunted by a prominent electronics company to chart their business development and now that the company has become well established, Kirk is back and he intends to lead his company to even greater heights.

KIRK

got involved with ICE when he worked for Sony Singapore for a good 17 years, after which he decided to Wize Electronics Pte Ltd. In his time there, Kirk secured distributorships for a wide range of ICE brands including CAE, Rainbow, Sinfoni and Phoenix Gold.

His philosophies for doing business are refreshingly simple. “Firstly, bring in quality products to satisfy even the most discerning customer. Secondly, be innovative by regularly introducing new products to the keep the customer interested. Last but certainly not least, ensure that service is of the highest quality and the customer will be more than willing to continue his patronage in the future”, he stressed.

Kirk believes that more must be done if they are to stay at the top of the highlycompetitive ICE industry and with Kirk’s promise and assurance that he will continually employ the abovementioned three simple philosophies, Wize Electronics look set to be one of the frontrunners of the industry for years to come.

Wize Electronics Pte Ltd Tel: 6774 6065.

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6/25/07 9:54:57 AM

words & photos Kelvin Lee/Tony Tan

RPM

SPEEDING...

AT THE POLICE ACADEMY? Motorsports fans and performance addicts had a ‘wheel’ of a time at this 3-day Texas Revolution Autocarnival

FOR

three fun-filled and adrenalinepumping days, the old Police Academy along Thomson Road was converted into a playground for motorsports fans and performance cars aficionados. Held in conjunction with the Police Week Carnival, the Texas Revolution Autocarnival which is presented by Texas Petrochemical Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, promoted by Venus International Productions, managed by Three Angles Production and endorsed by the Traffic Police, was held from 8 June to 10 June and attracted a total crowd turnout in excess of 200,000. Carma was the Official Magazine for this event and Radio 91.3 FM was the Official Radio Station.

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The Revolution Bike Carnival The Revolution Bike Carnival saw more than 60 local bikers pit their skill against each other in no less than 6 categories of exciting races with the preliminary rounds held on 8 and 9 June and the finals held on 10 June. Based on a ‘knock-out’ format that was guaranteed to thrill, these bikers on their loud and powerpacked two-wheelers defied physics as they transversed their way around the twisty course while racing against each other in a bid to take the chequered flag. As expected, they were serious thrills galore, and thankfully, no serious spills.

The Revolution Karting Demonstration Current Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes fame started his motorsports career in karting so as to hone his driving skill and racing craft and this has brought him to the pinnacle of Formula 1. The many karters that zipped around on the short but tricky course proved to be equally competent as evidenced by the way they expertly ‘slid’ and sped their miniature race machines. Despite an ultra-low ride height, non-existent suspension, and 100% exposure to the elements, these daredevils put on a great demonstration on the finer points of throttle and brake control as they showed-off aptly, the concept of “fast-in, fast-out” cornering.

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The Revolution Drift Drifting is fast gaining popularity as the in-thing in motorsports and drifters from Singapore and Malaysia put on a live “Initial D” performance as they thrilled the crowds. The performance included a mock grab-and-run robbery, complete with a police car chasing down the bad guy in his drift machine, and this had the thousands surrounding the drift track standing up and cheering! Also featured were Jansen Tan, Singapore’s top drift exponent, in a raceprepped Toyota Altezza, and a sweet-looking lady named Jane who wowed everyone in her modified-for-drifting Nissan Laurel. Producing ‘just’ 214bhp at the wheels, this magnificent beast was expertly (wo)man-handled by Jane as she slid and drifted with the best of them.

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6/25/07 8:31:37 PM

The Revolution Race Queen Search Last but not least, what is a true-blue motorsports event without race queens? The Texas Revolution Race Queen Search targets new and fresh faces and the winner stood to walk (or strut) away with a cool $3,000 in cash. After various judging rounds, 18-year old June Wee won over the judges, and photographers, with her poise and striking good looks. Close on her heels was Crystal Shong who is all of 21 years ‘young’; with her doll-like features, she was another crowd favourite.

Last but not least, coming in third was 22-year old Drusilla Tok who also had her share of fans and admirers.

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6/25/07 8:32:16 PM

RPM

CODY IN A COMMANDING

WIN!

Cody and his Singapore-made Subaru rally machine makes it two wins in a row for the Motor Image Rally Team

THE

slippery tracks which transverse the forests in Canberra proved to be no obstacle for Cody Crocker of the Motor Image Rally Team as he makes it two wins on the trot at the APRC (Asia Pacific Rally Championship).

For the uninitiated, the APRC is a rally championship series which is subject to the regulations laid down by the FIA and it is open to Production cars (Group N) and Touring cars (Group A5, A6, A7). The Motor Image Rally Team is competing in Subaru Group N cars which use the same engines as the roadgoing Subaru Impreza WRX STI. What makes these purpose-built cars even more special is that they are manufactured right here in Singapore, at the state-of-the-art Subaru Hub in Toa Payoh, with the invaluable support of Subaru Technica International (STI) and Prodrive.

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DEFENDING

champion Cody Crocker and codriver Ben Atkinson outperformed their competitors at the Rally of Canberra which is the 3rd leg of the APRC. This rally which was conducted in Canberra’s challenging forest terrain over two days (2 - 3 June) also saw the introduction of night stages for the very first time and this added to the excitement.

“I

am pleased with the outcome tonight.

It has been quite a race with strong contenders and I am glad we were still able to perform well. I am looking forward to the next rally ahead and to continue with this good run,” said Crocker.

“This rally was indeed a tough race for us. We had a punctured tire on the first day and that pushed us back quite a bit to the 6th position. Thanks to the support from the team,

we managed to quickly recover and eventually took the 4th placing. Our car also recorded the highest jump at the mineshaft stage. For now, I will be working with my team and codriver on the strategy for the upcoming rallies,” said Sungkar.

Cody Crocker and co-driver Ben Atkinson are leading the championship points table with 32 points. Rifat Sungkar is in fifth position with 13 points.

They will proceed to compete in the remaining leg of the rallies in Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia and finally, China.

Apart from the drivers, the Motor Image Rally Team consists of mechanics and engineers from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand.

FINAL RESULTS – RALLY OF CANBERRA Pos

Driver

Manufacturer

Group

Time (h:min:s)

1

Cody Crocker

Subaru

N4

02:30:51.6

2

Katsuhiko Taguchi

Mitsubishi

N4

02:31:55.2

3

Jussi Valimaki

Mitsubishi

N4

02:33:08.3

4

Rifat Sungkar

Subaru

N4

02:38:31.7

5

Brian Green

Mitsubishi

N4

02:46:46.4

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6/25/07 5:25:52 PM

words & photos Kelvin Lee

RPM

EVO VS WRX

— PART DEUX Records tumble at this drag race which sees the best drivers and fastest cars that Singapore has to offer

ROUND 2

of the MPT Motor Sprint/SuperSprint kicked off on a hot Sunday afternoon on 20 May 2007 at the hallowed 201 metre drag strip at the National Stadium car park F. Despite the soaring temperatures, hundreds of eager motorsports fans, some with families in tow, began gathering as early as 9am, hoping to get a good look at their favourite race cars.

EVOs, WRXs, Civics and Integras of all versions were well represented. Many hailing from the best workshops and tuners that Singapore has to offer.

While engineers and mechanics were busy making final preparations to their racecars, SMSA’s team of hardworking officials and marshals were also busying themselves with final checks on the timing equipment, the track and most importantly, the safety features that are paramount in any motorsports event. After the drivers’ briefing by the COC (Clerk of the Course), everything was “all systems go” and the first racecars rolled and rumbled onto the start line to begin the day’s racing.

When racing got underway, the initial few runs were littered with ‘bogeys’ as well as the occasional missed corner and wrong turn. However, when the more seasoned drivers came out to play, it became more serious and the times started to tumble.

First up was the tougher SuperSprint race which needed the drivers to negotiate a figureof-8 pattern and this race saw a huge battle in Class 10A and 10B which are for heavily-modified racecars. Class 10B was eventually won by experienced racer Eddie Ng in his super-fast Civic EG6 in a time of 104.39 seconds. A total of 18 competitors signed up for Class 10B and the eagerly-anticipated EVO vs WRX bout was a no-contest as EVOs swept the first 8 places with Lester Wong of Garage R fame leading the way with a time of 95.27 seconds; the only driver to dip below the 100-second for the day. Chai Meng Kheng, and Desmond Soh of traditional powerhouse ST Powered, could only manage 101.62 seconds and 102.63 seconds to finish 2nd and 3rd respectively. Let’s see if they can

upstage Lester in the highlight of the day, the exciting Sprint drag race.

While the officials and marshals were busy preparing the track for the Sprint race, MPT Motor’s Managing Director and veteran racer, Koh Aik Leong entertained the crowd with the Viswork-prepared Nissan 350Z. This is no average 350Z as residing in its engine bay is a highlymodified, turbocharged engine transplanted from a Toyota Supra. With more than 500bhp on tap, Aik Leong had a blast as he powered and wheelspinned his way down the track and some lucky spectators were chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime joy ride, complete with slides and donuts.

When the racing resumed after the break, the midday sun was at its strongest, laying down a deluge of heat on everything and everyone at the event. However, the hottest was still the action that unfolded during the 201m, managainst-man, machine-against-machine, Sprint drag race.

Drag racing is all about the driver’s skill and reflexes. Having a racecar with horsepower by

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6/25/07 7:23:40 PM

X

the bucketloads is all fine and dandy but in the hands of an inexperienced driver, the end-result is time-wasting wheelspin and lots and lots of tyre smoke i.e. going nowhere fast!

Class 20A and 20B, which were mostly made up of racecars from 10A and 10B, saw 18 and a mind-boggling 40 competitors respectively. This is the most I have seen in one Class for as long as I can remember!

Eddie is still the man to beat when it comes to normally-aspirated racecars and he duly took Class 20A honours with a blistering time of 8.36 seconds. His nearest rival, Tan Jian Long in a newer Civic EK4, was more than half a second

behind; an eternity in drag racing. To put things in perspective, Eddie would have placed in the top 20 in Class 20B which is the playground of EVOs and WRXs with outputs of between 300 to 500bhp. This is one fast driver in one damn quick Civic! However, it was Class 20B that all those that turned up wanted to see.

This time, the EVO and WRX battle was much closer with 7 EVOs and 3 WRXs taking the first 10 positions. When the dust...and tyre smoke had cleared, Desmond claimed 3rd placing with a time of 7.24 seconds in his gorgeous EVO 9 RS. Lim Lean Teik flew the WRX flag high with a time of 7.13 seconds to garner

2nd position but it was Lester who made it two out of two wins and obliterated the competition with a record time of 6.78 seconds, thrashing his previous record of 7.05 seconds set in Round 1.

With two Rounds gone and two more to go, the MPT Motor Sprint/SuperSprint has been dominated by Eddie and Lester in their respective Classes and it will be interesting to see if the other racers can step up and ‘knock’ these two great racers from their pedestal.

Come on Desmond, Lean Teik, Kiam Tiong, Teck Yew and Jason, make it more than a twohorse race!

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6/25/07 7:24:05 PM

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Race Queen Search 2007 THIS

Round saw another 8 gorgeous and vivacious ladies strut their stuff on stage. Despite soaring temperatures, these babes kept their composure well and with their immaculate make-up and trendy outfits, they still looked great as evidenced by the hoards of photography buffs that gathered around the stage. Pretty and full of wit and humour, they also gamely answered the cheeky questions posed by the emcee, easily impressing the judges and wowing the audience.

AUTOStyling Challenge 2007 JUST

how much will you go to customise your prized fourwheeled possession? If it is just a bodykit and alloy wheels, then forget about joining this ‘beauty contest’ for cars as these competitors gave new meaning to the phrase “dressing up your car”. The ‘makeovers’ that have been performed on these cars is truly amazing; mini chandeliers, hand-placed Swarovski crystals, super-shiny alloy wheels, custom decals, vivid paintwork and more. There was even a retrothemed Honda Jazz that stole the judges’ hearts with its classic white cabin and tall gearshift.

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6/25/07 7:24:29 PM

Ultimate Sound Challenge 2007

7

AFTER

the superb-sounding set-ups that were seen in the last Round, the judges expected the same this time round and they were not disappointed. Simply designed but musically adept set-ups battled it out with sophisticated and intricate layouts in a bid to win ultimate bragging rights. ICE aficionados gathered to cheer on the competitors as the judges went round auditioning each setup for either SQ (Sound Quality) or SPL (Sound Pressure Level).

Organiser

: MPT Motor Trading (www.mptmotor.com) Official Tyre : Bridgestone Tyre Sales Singapore Pte Ltd Supporter : Gen Concept Sanctioning Body : Singapore Motor Sports Association

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6/25/07 7:25:10 PM

RPM

AUDI STAYS IN THE VICTORY LANE AT LE MANS “Vorsprung durch Technik” makes it 2-out-of-2 wins and 7 overall at the world’s premier endurance race

AUDI

AG has continued its impressive series of victories in the Le Mans 24 Hour race in extremely difficult conditions.

Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany) repeated their success from last year thus giving Audi their seventh victory in the French endurance classic.

For the second consecutive time, the Audi R10 TDI claimed victory. The revolutionary diesel sportscar from Ingolstadt remains unbeaten at Le Mans.

In the 75th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hour race, Audi again gave an impressive proof of “Vorsprung durch Technik”. The Audi R10 TDI was the fastest and the most reliable car in the field. From the first to the last lap, one of the three diesel sportscars from Ingolstadt headed the field.

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More than 260,000 spectators witnessed one of the most exciting 24 Hour races in the history of Le Mans. Changing weather conditions at the beginning claimed the Audi R10 TDI with start number 3 when Mike Rockenfeller left the rain-soaked track on his third lap and collided backwards into the armco barriers.

The impressive showing of Dindo Capello, Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish came to a premature end as well: After having controlled the race with a considerable margin for more than 16 hours, the left rear wheel of their Audi R10 TDI loosened on Sunday morning. Dindo Capello who celebrated his 43rd birthday on Sunday was behind the wheel of the car. He had no chance of avoiding the accident.

Thus, during the last five-and-a-half hours, all hopes for Audi were left on the shoulders of the Audi R10 TDI with start number 1 of Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner. Conditions were extremely difficult owing to torrential rain in the final phase of the race; however, the established Audi drivers mastered this task with bravado. The impressive winning margin of Marco Werner over the second-placed Peugeot was ten laps at the finish line.

After its seventh Le Mans triumph, Audi has moved up to third place in the historic records during the 75th edition of the French eandurance classic.

Only Porsche and Ferrari have won at Le Mans more often than Audi.

“This was certainly the most difficult race that we have ever contested at Le Mans”, said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG after the finish. “So this victory counts even more. On the race track, we have shown once more that we have the best technology, the best drivers and the best team. Everybody within Audi can be proud of this success.”

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86

Quotes after the race at Le Mans Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “I think this was the most difficult race we ever did at Le Mans – even more difficult than the rain-soaked race in 2001.

This was topped this time due to the strong competition, the many incidents and the rain in the final hours. We managed to get one car to the finish in these difficult circumstances winning against strong competitors. This was a fantastic achievement of the whole team.

We wanted to prove that we have the best technology with Audi TDI Power, the best drivers and the best teams. We achieved that.

This triumph shows one more time the meaning of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’.”

Frank Biela (Audi R10 TDI #1): “You realize a Le Mans victory only a couple of days later because you have so much stress and pressure during this race. Of course you wish that everything goes well but you can’t plan it.

Something can happen anytime. To have the luck of being on the top of the podium for the fifth time is simply great. The key to success has been to attack at the right time and to be on the safe side at the right time. The pit crew has done a great job. We always had the right tyres on our car. This victory was achieved by the entire team.”

Emanuele Pirro (Audi R10 TDI #1): “Le Mans was simply incredible this year. The two other Audis had really bad luck. They could not finish the race. After that we had enormous pressure. Behind us were the Peugeots and we had to fight hard. The last nine hours have been especially difficult. It was a tough

pg84-86RPM-Audi.indd 86

race with some rain at the beginning which made the tyre choice complicated and heavy rain at the end. I dedicate this victory to the mechanics of all three cars. There was a great battle with Peugeot. To beat such a competitor makes our victory even sweeter. Personally I’m on the podium with Audi at Le Mans for the ninth time in a row – this is great!”

Marco Werner (Audi R10 TDI #1): “Of course it is a great feeling to win but tomorrow for sure I will feel even better because there was gigantic pressure on our shoulders until the very end of the race. In the closing stages this Le Mans 24 Hours was more like a boat race. It was incredible that the race went green again under these conditions. I was more than relieved when I had crossed the finish line.”

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “This has been a hell of a race and extremely exciting. The weather ended like it started. Fortunately there has been a long dry period in between. I see the result with two crying and one laughing eye: It’s a shame we lost two cars due to accidents.

Especially the number two car showed a great performance. But of course the most important thing is that an Audi has won. We have been fighting with a big competitor and were not sure before how the balance of power would be. The race proved that Audi and Joest are a strong combination at Le Mans. And we showed that we can always up the ante in the race. We also proved that we can fight. I’m proud of the whole team.”

6/26/07 6:07:20 PM

Car+phone(Working file).ai

6/25/07

10:16:21 AM

Aaron Call Adrian Call Adeline Call AhSeng Call AhXiong Call Alexandra Call Amanda Tan Call Andrew Call Ashton Call Auntie Agnes Call Auntie Julie Call BabyGirl Call Bella Ca all BillyWong Call Call Black Ink Design Bobo Hp Call Brandon Call Chanminator Call Christopher Hp Call Clifford Call Daniel Hp Call Daniel Office Call Darren Call Dennis Call D Desmond Hp Call Dino Call Douglas Call Edmund Chan Call Eugene-Medic Call Eugene Call FiFi Call Fourtones Call Frankie Call Gardener Call Germaine Office Call Geraldine H on Call Grace Call HOME Call Issac (LHC) Call Jachin Call Jackie Sitoh Call James Woo (soft.com.sg) Call Janice Hp Call Jason Call Jay Call Kane Call Keith Call Kelvin Call Ken eth Guitar Call Kerr Call Larry Hp Call Leo Call Leonard Call Lesley Hp Call Mail Deposit Call Mail Retrieval Call Malani Call Malcom Call Marcus Bubsy Call Mavis Hp Call Melan sa Hm Call Melvin Hp Call Mervin- bass Call Mervyn Office Call Michelle Call Mr Misse Call My Home Call Nicholas Call Nicole Call Noi hp Call Nop Call Call OFFICE Call Paul Call all Paulina Call Pentatonic Call Portia Call Pravind.S Hp Call Randolf Call Richard Hp Call Roy Call Rui Hm Call Sam Commando Call Sanjay Call Sarah Hp Call Seekz Call Shanthi wn Turbo chicken Call Shawn Hp Call Shawn – Golf Call Simon- guitar Call Soh Engineer Call Stephanie Call Suhui Hp Call Suping Hp Call Tan Call Theiva Call Tina Hp Call Uncle A Uncle Balan Call Uncle Joe Call Victoria Call Vicky Hp Call Walter Call Weiliang Hp Call Wilson Hp Call Yazid Call Ying Hp Call Zack Hp Call Aaron Call Adrian Call Adeline Call A Adrian Call Adeline Call AhSeng Call AhXiong Call Alexandra Call Amanda Tan Call Andrew Call Ashton Call Auntie Agnes Call Auntie Julie Call BabyGirl Call Bella Call Ben H Wong Call Call Black Ink Design Bobo Hp Call Brandon Call Chanminator Call Christopher Hp Call Clifford Call Daniel Hp Call Daniel Office Call Darren Call Dennis Call Derric mond Hp Call Dino Call Douglas Call Edmund Chan Call Eugene-Medic Call Eugene Call FiFi Call Fourtones Call Frankie Call Gardener Call Germaine Office Call Geraldine H on Call Grace Call HOME Call Issac (LHC) Call Jachin Call Jackie Sitoh Call James Woo (soft.com.sg) Call Janice Hp Call Jason Call Jay Call Kane Call Keith Call Kelvin Call Ken eth Guitar Call Kerr Call Larry Hp Call Leo Call Leonard Call Lesley Hp Call Mail Deposit Call Mail Retrieval Call Malani Call Malcom Call Marcus Bubsy Call Mavis Hp Call Melan sa Hm Call Melvin Hp Call Mervin- bass Call Mervyn Office Call Michelle Call Mr Misse Call My Home Call Nicholas Call Nicole Call Noi hp Call Nop Call Call OFFICE Call Paul Call all Paulina Call Pentatonic Call Portia Call Pravind.S Hp Call Randolf Call Richard Hp Call Roy Call Rui Hm Call Sam Commando Call Sanjay Call Sarah Hp Call Seekz Call Shanthi wn Turbo chicken Call Shawn Hp Call Shawn Golf Call Simon guitar Call Soh Engineer Call Stephanie Call Suhui Hp Call Suping Hp Call Tan Call Theiva Call Tina Hp Call Uncle A Uncle Balan Call Uncle Joe Call Victoria Call Vicky Hp Call Walter Call Weiliang Hp Call Wilson Hp Call Yazid Call Ying Hp Call Zack Hp CallCall Aaron Call Adrian Call Adelin ng Call AhXiong Call Alexandra Call Amanda Tan Call Andrew Call Ashton Call Auntie Agnes Call Auntie Julie Call BabyGirl Call Mail Deposit Call Mail Retrieval Call Mala

4 x 45W

BT/CD-901 One-time secure pairing and subsequent Auto-Sync with the BT/CD-901.

Make and receive calls without reaching for your phone.

$568 Nett

Inclusive of installation and 5% GST.

The in-car Bluetooth solution that gives you:

Conversation clarity on both sides CD/MP3 Player w/Explorer function Access to phonebook and direct dial out via the number pad Voice dial and Auto-Answer for a true “hands free” experience * Compatible with most phones

Visit

ffor more dealer information

Proudly distributed by: Premo International 39B Jalan Pemimpin #04-00 Prime Industrial Building Singapore 577184 Tel: 63545255 Fax: 63545755

by Tony Tan

RPM

Clubbing and Drifting DXO celebrates 2nd birthday with drift cars and drifters

DXO

celebrated her 2nd year anniversary on 16 June 2007. In conjunction with the momentous event, DXO appointed Ris Culture as the Official Event Partner for the celebrations. Also roped in was GenConcept Pte Ltd and together with Ris Culture, they organised a drift car showcase, a street car parade and Ris Culture’s Drift Machines.

To spice up the celebrations, GenConcept dressed up 35 drift cars from Singapore and Malaysia with sophisticated patterns and designs to enhance the wow factor of these souped-up machines. Thereafter, these drift machines gathered at Downtown East on the 16 June 2007 at 6pm and at precisely one hour later, they roared to life and made their way to the Esplanade in an orderly convoy, ferrying NTUC’s VIPs at the same time.

The convoy arrived at 8.30pm and waiting, in all their glory, were 6 other drift machines that were already on display at DXO. The highlight of the drift car showcase was undoubtedly a 550bhp Nissan Skyline GTR 32 drift ‘monster’ from AL Motorsports.

This all-conquering driftmobile has won countless drift competitions in Malaysia, and Ris Culture managed to secure its appearance at this event for all drift and Japanese performance car aficionados to enjoy.

The final event of the celebrations was a Drift Clinic put on by Ris Culture held the very next day at the huge car park at Punggol Marina. Drift enthusiasts from Singapore joined their counterparts from Ris Culture and AL Motorsport drifters to put on a great clinic cum demo which was watched by more than 200 spectators. The clinic started at 2pm and lasted for 4 hours and everyone that was present, drifters and spectators alike, went away satisfied and enthralled by the spectacle that was put forth over the two days.

Congrats to DXO for turning 2 and here’s wishing another two more great years ahead!

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6/26/07 4:56:24 PM

P.S (PRODUCTS & SERVICES)

ELECTRIC SUPERCHARGER Works on any engine and adds even more power and torque on top of all existing modifications. At full throttle, this device produces up to 1psi of air pressure and this additional air pressure results in greater air density which induces the ECU to inject more fuel into the engine thereby increasing power, torque and driving pleasure. Spools up to 25,300rpm in onetenth of a second and the measured gain is as much as 6%!

Silent Pro Shop, tel: 6779 6383

CARBON FIBRE BONNET & SPOILER The super-smart and full-function car radio features an integrated Carbon fibre is an extremely lightweight yet strong material that is extensively used in motorsports and high-performance applications.

The lighter the overall weight of the car, the higher the power-to-weight ratio, the faster the car. Changing a steel bonnet to a carbon fibre one will reduce weight by 80% while installing a carbon fibre spoiler will not only increase stability in high-speed driving but it looks great as well.

Available for the Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Lancer, Suzuki Swift, Honda Jazz and many other models of cars.

Silent Pro Shop, tel: 6779 6383

SILENT V-7 HIGH SPEED WIND STRIPPER Suitable for use all year long and in all types of weather conditions, and using highly-effective 3M adhesive, this uniquely-designed wind stripper will drastically reduce wind noise. Designed to fill up the gaps and enhance the effectiveness of the OE door rubber seal, the V-7 Wind Stripper is also lightweight and resistant to high temperatures.

Silent Pro Shop, tel: 6779 6383

DAUF AUF 6800 Designed to fit snugly into a 2-DIN slot, the AUF 7000 features a 6.5� TFT LCD Touch Screen and its functions and characteristics are similar to that of its 1-DIN sibling, the AUF 7000. This means that Windows CE.Net 4.2, 64MB SDRAM, CF card slot (Singapore and Malaysia maps), Anti-Shock Memory, Aux Input, 5.1 Channel Line Output , IR Remote Control and downloadable screensavers are all installed into the AUF 6800 as well.

AsiaMac International Pte Ltd, tel: 6781 2088

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P.S (PRODUCTS & SERVICES) PHOENIX GOLD RSD 300.4 This muscular looking amplifier from the RSd range is designed to ‘over-perform’ and chockfull of features for the pleasure of the hardcore ICE aficionado. Built-in 18dB per octave crossover, onboard protection, high-speed high-current MOSFET switching power supply, line level inputs, wide range input sensitivity adjustment, multi-function protection indicator, and variable bass boost. Rated at 48W x 4 of power, it measures 16.875” (L) x 11.1875” (W) x 2.375” (H).

Wize Electronics, tel: 6774 6065

PHOENIX GOLD RYVAL V752 The Ryval series of amplifiers feature a compact, rugged, and thermally efficient design which provides a smaller footprint for easy placement and installation.

The V752 is characterised by 12dB per octave variable lowpass crossovers, auxiliary outputs, speaker level inputs, extruded aluminium heat sink and a remote monitoring display (RMD) port. Maximum output power is rated at: 4 ohms stereo 150W X 2, 2 ohms stereo 240W X 2, 4 ohms bridged 500W X 1.

Wize Electronics, tel: 67746065

ECLIPSE CD7100 This versatile CD Receiver incorporates a high-tech display, high-end audio performance, a long list of features, and multiple connection options. The high-definition Organic EL display adds a shock of colour and motion which is complemented by the motorised, slide-open faceplate with striking background images and eye-catching animations.

Other features are a muscular amplifier, powerful signal processor, adjustable crossovers, time alignment, a 11-band/7-band parametric equaliser and Circle Surround II sound processing for impressive surround sound effects. The CD7100 also offers a built-in USB input to enable the connection of an iPod with the optional adapter.

Cobra Singapore Pte Ltd, tel: 6737 2568

3M FUEL TANK ADDITIVES Designed to work on critical areas within the engine where deposits build up, the 3M Fuel System Cleaner and Fuel Injector Cleaner, are an effective two-punch solution for the problems caused by these harmful deposits. Using these Fuel Tank Additives will clean fuel injectors, valves and combustion chambers thereby restoring power, performance and fuel economy. These Fuel Tank Additives also protect against carbon build-up, engine knock as well as reducing harmful exhaust emissions.

3M Technologies (S) Pte Ltd, tel: 64508888

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ECLIPSE CD5100 The CD5100 plays CDs loaded with MP3 and WMA files, and includes a USB input for USB drives or portable players with USB capabilities. A built-in auxiliary input gives you room to add external audio sources.

There is also a connection for adding an iPod control adapter if you are a fan of this popular portable player. Equipped with a sturdy internal amplifier and 3-band parametric equaliser for custom tone-shaping, the CD5100 also features built-in high and low-pass filters which send the appropriate frequencies to the subwoofers and speakers.

Cobra Singapore Pte Ltd, tel: 6737 2568

ECLIPSE CD3100

PERFECT POWER SMT6

For the budget ICE aficionado, the CD3100 will get you grooving to great sounds, courtesy of a solid internal amplifier that puts punch and clarity into all types of music. The 3-band equaliser and built-in frequency filters adjust the receiver’s output to fit your car’s acoustics and your listening tastes.

Three sets of preamp outputs send a high-voltage signal to external amplifiers — absolutely essential if you are expanding your system. The versatile CD3100 covers all the bases — it plays CDs loaded with MP3 and WMA files, and includes the option to add an auxiliary input so you can connect an outboard audio source to your system.

Cobra Singapore Pte Ltd, tel: 6737 2568

The SMT6 was designed to allow the tuning of ANY engine.

Once installed the engine can be tuned with a laptop and the tuning software. The SMT6 comes with a self-test jig, development CD which contains all software and can be installed in more than 650 different models of cars. The SMT6 allows tuning by relying on the exiting ECU to provide the fuelling and ignition.

Fuelling is modified by changing the load sensor or lambda sensor signal while ignition is done by delaying or advancing the crank angle sensors signal. The SMT6 also has the ability to drive an extra injector which will allow more fuel to be injected into the engine typically for turbocharger applications.

Silent Pro Shop, tel: 67796383

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CareHuts – Discovering the “Star” in Each Child “No man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child.”

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, probably best understood the need to help children. He had a rough childhood and experienced the loss of his mother when he was only 9 years old. If not for his stepmother who encouraged him in every way to study and improve himself, Abraham Lincoln may not have become one of the best loved Presidents in the history of the United States of America.

arrangements, most of these children are left without a caregiver after school. Thus for many children, CareHut has become a second home after school.

There is a “star” in every child.

However not every child has the privilege of having a safe and nurturing environment to grow in and realize their full potential. This is especially true for children from disadvantaged families. At Care Community Services Society (CCSS), we seek to help these children through our services at CareHuts.

At CareHut, children are provided with meals, guidance in their studies, activities that seek to instill in them healthy values and taken on outings during school holidays.

CCSS is able to provide all these at subsidized rates, because of generous contributions from many individual and corporate sponsors/ volunteers. As the saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Without your support, we will not be able to provide this valuable service to the children.

CareHuts are our school-based student care centres where we seek to help children discover themselves and develop healthy values. It is an upstream service targeted at children from lowincome and single parent families.

As their parent(s) need to work and are unable to afford paying high fees for alternative care

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“I like CareHut because there are lots of friends to play, to share my feeling to them. This is like my 2nd Home! I like this place very much!” ~ written by child at CareHut.

We are excited about this new centre, as its capacity will be more than double that of our current 2 centres. This will allow us to reach out to many more children. We are also looking at closer collaborations with the school to design programmes that will aid children in their developmental growth.

Every child deserves a chance to reach for the stars. At CareHut, we hope to give every child the chance to do that and be the “Star” that they were meant to be.

You can help the children too. To find out how you can volunteer or donate to this meaningful work, please contact the following: • John Chua at 63047619 or email johnchua@carecom.org.sg or • Daryl Lee at 63047618 or email daryllee@carecom.org.sg Written by Ms Tan Haw Jia Head, Children Services Care Community Services Society

Today, we are glad to announce we are setting up our third CareHut at Stamford Primary School.

Currently we have 2 existing CareHuts at Pei Tong Primary School and Eunos Primary School.

6/25/07 9:55:57 AM

24

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Revolutionary new high tech formulation creates maximum shine and protection for paintwork.

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www.mastertouchpps.com

24/12/2007 12:00:37 PM

CONTEST & PROMO

‘GUESS THE DECALS’ Contest Texas Revolution Autocarnival 2007 A vey big thank you to everyone who participated in Carma’s ‘Guess The Decals’ contest held at the Texas Revolution Autocarnival from 8th – 10th June 2007.

The total number of Carma decals on the car is 110!

Congratulations to the following participant who made the correct guess!

Booi Kim Swee S1795869J You have won yourself a car polishing package worth $350. We will contact you very shortly regarding your prize.

Look out for details on Carma events in the upcoming issues of Carma for your chance to take part in exciting contests that give away attractive prizes!

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www.carma.com.sg

DRIVE A DECAL

GET SPOTTED AND WIN POLISHING PACKAGES You drove our decal and we spotted you!

Congratulations to the owner of SBX5938L. Please write in to carma@sph.com.sg by 31th August 2007 to claim your prize.

SBX5938L Drive around with a CARMA decal prominently displayed on your car and you could win attractive prizes when your car gets spotted!

Up for grabs now is a car-polishing package worth at least $350.

Monthly winners, updates and details on DRIVE A DECAL contest will be published in the upcoming issues of CARMA. Never miss an issue so subscribe now!

For more information on this contest and ways to collect your CARMA decal, please email carma@sph.com.sg.

Terms and Conditions • Winning car plate number will be published in CARMA. • Winner must write in by above stated date or prize will be forfeited.

• Proof of car ownership must be provided by winner for prize to be claimed.

• Prizes must be taken as provided and are not transferable or exchangeable for cash.

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CARMA MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION FORM

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SUBSCRIBE TO CARMA NOW! Enjoy 20% off the usual price First 20 subscribers this month will receive a Yokohama umbrella

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Terms and Conditions • Please allow three to four weeks for your order to be processed and for delivery of your first issue.

• No official receipt will be issued for payment by cheque/credit card.

• Subscription is non-refundable and non-transferable.

• Notification letter will be sent for collection of subscription gift.

• Subscription gift is for first 20 subscribers of July only.

• 1 year and 2 year subscribers are entitled to the same subscription gift.

• Subscription gift is to be accepted as provided and are neither exchangeable in kind nor in cash.

• The management reserves the right to replace subscription gift of up to equal value.

• Subscription promotion is valid till 31st July 2007.

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