Alfa Romeo Giulia In top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio specification, Italy’s racy rear-drive saloon boasts a turbocharged 510bhp 3-litre V6 and a scorching 0-100kmh sprint time of 3.9 seconds. When the Giulia arrives, tentatively by October, it’s likely to sport a new turbo 2-litre engine, too.
Aston Martin DB11 James Bond drove a DB10 (pictured) in Spectre, but that’s a bespoke movie car unrelated to the DB9, whose replacement will actually be called DB11. The upcoming Aston coupe is expected to get its Singapore Class 3 “licence to thrill” in December.
Audi A4 Audi’s rival to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a sophisticated saloon with premium gadgets, top-notch materials, amazing attention to detail and more interior space than before. The car has just arrived in Singapore.
Audi R8 This second-generation performance flagship is a predictable but worthy sequel to its seminal predecessor. The 5.2-litre V10 coupe showcases the ultimate in Audi’s artistry, technology and quality. It’ll be the rock star of the automaker’s motorshow stand in Suntec.
Bentley Bentayga Massive, expensive and extremely powerful, the marque’s first SUV is a 6-litre 600bhp 12-cylinder upgrade for tycoons and nobles who crave something even mightier/pricier than the best Range Rover today. The Bentayga is scheduled to make its first local appearance in April.
BMW M2 Storming into town in the second quarter is the successor to the 1 Series M Coupe. The turbo 370bhp 3-litre M2 is even faster, and it makes going fast easier with its optional 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (the old model only came with a 6-speed manual gearbox).
BMW M4 GTS Two units of BMW’s fastest-ever road car have been allocated to Singapore and they’ll arrive in the second half of 2016. The hardcore 3-litre limited-production coupe packs 500bhp, 600Nm, acceleration from zero to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed in excess of 300km/h.
Chevrolet Cruze This groovy new Chevy gives budget saloon driving a quasi-American flavour. Its upgrades include a lighter yet stiffer body and a higher-quality cabin with 10 airbags and snazzy infotainment with convenient smartphone connectivity. It might “cruze” into Singapore by June.
Citroen DS5 One of the most avant-garde European hatchbacks has been rejuvenated, with a heavier emphasis on the upscale aspects of Citroen’s sub-brand. The changes include a redesigned front end (that now wears the DS logo), a louder hi-fi system and slicker running gear.
Ferrari 488 Spider Prancing into Singapore in the first half is the convertible version of the 488, with a retractable hard-top that takes 14 seconds to deploy/stow. With 670bhp and 760Nm from a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, the supercar’s performance is way faster – standstill to 100km/h in 3 seconds flat.
Ford Focus RS Turbo pocket rockets don’t come punchier than this ultra-fast Focus, powered by a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder with 350bhp and 440Nm. It dashes to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds, reaches 265km/h and is jam-packed with all the fast-and-furious stuff that boyracers love.
Honda Civic The 10th-generation saloon looks like a return to form for Honda, with its dramatic design, roomier and better-specified interior, and technical highlights that include a newly developed 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. The all-new Civic will be here in the third quarter.
Honda Jade This sleek six-seater station wagon will introduce Honda’s newest technologies to Singapore, including a 1.5-litre 150bhp turbo powertrain and a variety of helpful driving aids. Due here in the first half, the Jade would serve as a classier and costlier alternative to the Mobilio MPV.
Hyundai Elantra The Korean notchback will make its Singapore debut in March. Likely to raise the standard of “cheap and good” in COE Category A, the new Elantra comes with a 1.4-litre turbo 7-speed dual-clutch drivetrain, plus a nicer interior and a more pleasant ride than the old one.
Infiniti Q30 Infiniti’s smallest model is a hatchback that has repurposed major parts and minor components from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Set to debut here in August, the 2-litre Q30 boasts distinctive styling, ample boot space, capable handling and a comfortable ride.
Infiniti QX80 Infiniti’s biggest model is a gigantic SUV that could justify its own postal code on the road. The car has a 5.6-litre V8 with 400bhp, 560Nm, multi-mode four-wheel-drive and a 7-speed automatic gearbox. The cabin is spacious and luxurious, with leathered seating for seven adults.
Jaguar F-Pace The classy British cat will show its claws in the crossover segment in the third quarter. The partially aluminium, fully equipped Jag provides room for five, a generous 650 litres of cargo space and state-of-the-art amenities. The base engine for the F-Pace is a 2-litre turbo-diesel.
Jeep Renegade Ready to rebel against other compact SUVs from August, the junior Jeep is for suburbanites who want something ruggedly cute and don’t need four-wheel-drive. The cabin is funky yet functional, while under the hood is a turbocharged 1.4-litre with a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Kia Optima The optimal Korean saloon for the cost-conscious businessman has undergone a full model change and will be launched at the Singapore Motorshow. Significant enhancements have been made to the styling, cabin, engine, ride, handling and overall quality.
Kia Sportage To be sold here from April, Kia’s compact SUV is said to offer better driveability and greater practicality than before. The boot, for instance, has grown from 465 litres to 503 litres and includes underfloor storage. The new Sportage is a cousin of the current Hyundai Tucson.
Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Supercars look even more spectacular when they go topless, and the latest Lambo Spyder is one of them. Its electro-hydraulic soft-top is available with a choice of three colours (black, brown or red). The engine is the same 610bhp 5.2-litre V10 that powers the Huracan coupe.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible This niche model, here in the third quarter, is a far cry from the canvas-canopy Land Rover that SAF army boys know. The “chop-top” Evoque looks handsome, whether its fully automated Z-fold roof is up or down, and it’s been positioned as an all-season luxury compact vehicle.
Lexus GS F The Japanese have created an everyday sports saloon par excellence, with the cross hairs of its 5-litre V8 aimed at the BMW M5, Audi RS6 and Mercedes-Benz E63. Lexus’ third “go-faster” special model after the IS F and RC F will make its official debut at Suntec on 14 January.
Lexus IS200t Lexus has revitalised its IS saloon with a 2-litre turbo motor, hooked up to a dynamic 8-speed automatic. Compared to the 2.5-litre IS250, the IS200t is faster (0-100km/h in 7 seconds), more economical (7 litres per 100km on average) and probably more enjoyable, too.
Lotus 3-Eleven One of the world’s quickest roadsters is headed here. The 3-Eleven is a track-attack weapon with a supercharged 450bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine, a supercar-slaying power-to-weight ratio and incredible acceleration. Lotus intends to build just 311 units of its 3-Eleven.