KIA
Sorento
This new SUV can be specified as a five-seater or seven-seater. In either setup, the Sorento boasts more space and soft-touch materials than before, a smoother ride and better handling.
Rio
The name of Kia’s entry-level vehicle for Singapore comes from the past, but everything else about the five-door hatchback is up-to-date, such as its attractive styling with bright colours and its practical interior with decent equipment. The new Rio is likely to wear a value-packed price tag.
LAND ROVER
Discovery Sport
As the first member of an all-new model range that replaces both the Freelander 2 and the Discovery 4, this newly launched Land Rover will be crucial to the success of the British 4×4 marque in Singapore. The selling points of this truly multi-purpose motoring machine are its all-terrain capability, all-purpose interior flexibility and natural appetite for vehicular adventure in the middle of nowhere.
LEXUS
RC F and RC350
The sleek Japanese coupe makes its maiden appearance here in fast-flagship form, with a thunderous 5-litre V8 and a serious set of performance figures. The softer, slower option will be the 3.5-litre V6 RC350, which is still spirited enough to entertain the executive in a hurry.
NX200t
Lexus’ eye-catching crossover gains turbo oomph with this variant, whose 2-litre engine develops a healthy 235bhp and 350Nm, and delivers strong and smooth performance through a six-speed auto gearbox. The NX200t is out to tackle the turbocharged continental brigade that has the Audi Q3, BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC60 in its ranks.
LOTUS
Exige S automatic
The hardcore Exige S will become less hard to drive with the newly offered six-speed automatic option. Lotus claims that the paddle-shift system has been specifically tailored to the racy supercharged coupe that hugs the ground. In fact, the auto Exige S is said to be even quicker than the manual model around the Hethel test track.
MAZDA
2
Mazda’s new number is a stylish small car meant for city driving. Even though it looks like a shrunken 3 hatchback from some angles, the 2 has its own design personality, with cheerful body colours to boot. The interior is as appealing as the exterior, thanks to the classy upholstery, executive-level equipment and made-in-Japan quality.
CX-3
The popular CX-5 now has a smaller, curvier and cheaper sibling. Derived from the 2 supermini, the CX-3 is a chunky pocket-size crossover that will explore the same patches of concrete jungle as the Honda HR-V.
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG GT
This stunning powerhouse coupe has a hand-built 4-litre biturbo V8 that pumps 462bhp/600Nm (standard version) or 510bhp/650Nm (S version) to the rear axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Acceleration to 100kmh takes 4 seconds flat in the GT and 3.8 seconds in the GT S, and both cars can exceed 300kmh without breaking a sweat. Searing performance aside, the new-age AMG “hammer” also has a luxuriously trimmed two-seat cockpit and a 350-litre boot beneath the tailgate.
C63 AMG
With a twin-turbo 4-litre V8 powerplant closely related to the one in the GT, this purposeful saloon is a guaranteed thrill ride. With either 476bhp or 510bhp, three-stage sports suspension, a mechanical rear locking differential and a composite braking system, the C63 is the fastest and most dynamic C-Class by far.
S-Class Coupe
Germany’s grandest of grand tourers is also claimed to be the world’s quietest for the privileged people “touring” inside. At the top of the options list for the handsome S-Class Coupe are headlamps featuring Swarovski crystals. The on-board luxuries and advanced technologies of the two-door flagship notchback are shared with the S-Class saloon, so the towkay and his companion will be motoring in First Class.
