SINGAPORE: Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices closed mixed in the latest bidding exercise on Wednesday (May 8), with premiums for cars continuing their upward trend.
Category A cars, or those 1,600cc and below with horsepower not exceeding 130bhp, saw the biggest increase this round, with premiums closing at S$36,704. This is up from S$33,199 in the last exercise.
For larger and more powerful cars in Category B, premiums rose to S$48,010 from S$48,000.
Open category COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but end up being used mainly for large cars, rose to S$52,502 from S$52,410.
COEs for commercial vehicles, which include goods vehicles and buses, fell to S$28,559 from S$32,001 in the previous bidding exercise.
Motorcycle premiums closed at S$3,352, down from S$3,452 in the last exercise.
A total of 5,625 bids were received, with a quota of 4,271 COEs available.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Car COE prices continue to surge in latest bidding exercise
SINGAPORE - Certificate of entitlement (COE) prices continued to surge at the latest tender on Wednesday (April 17), with all categories ending noticeably higher except for motorcycles.
COE premiums for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp finished at $33,199, up from $29,159 two weeks ago. COE prices for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp closed at $48,000, up from $43,102.
Premiums for Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but ends up mostly for bigger cars, finished at $52,410, up from $48,209.
Commercial vehicle COE prices closed at $32,001, up from $27,589. Motorcycle COE premiums bucked the uptrend by ending at $3,452, down from $3,501.
The surge followed an unexpected rise in COEs for bigger cars in the previous tender, which was attributed to new demand from private-hire players.
"The market is actually quite weak," said one major motor trader. "The showrooms have been very quiet in recent months."
Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said “the market has slowed down significantly after the price increase from last round of COE price hike, so we can conclude safely the latest rise has nothing to do with retail demand”.
Still, Mr Lim said Wednesday’s results is also driven by “a classic case of panic bidding” on the back of “speculation over the extent of the next COE quota cut”.
Going by available data to date, the supply of COEs for the May-July period may shrink by as much as 20 per cent.
Mr Lim added that he hopes “some sanity will return after the actual quota is released”, but cautioned that there are “headwinds”, including a three-week break before the next tender exercise (allowing sellers to collect more orders), and the upcoming Car@Expo retail event, which would also typically lead to more orders.
COE premiums for cars up to 1,600cc and 130bhp finished at $33,199, up from $29,159 two weeks ago. COE prices for cars above 1,600cc or 130bhp closed at $48,000, up from $43,102.
Premiums for Open COE, which can be used for any vehicle type except motorcycles but ends up mostly for bigger cars, finished at $52,410, up from $48,209.
Commercial vehicle COE prices closed at $32,001, up from $27,589. Motorcycle COE premiums bucked the uptrend by ending at $3,452, down from $3,501.
The surge followed an unexpected rise in COEs for bigger cars in the previous tender, which was attributed to new demand from private-hire players.
"The market is actually quite weak," said one major motor trader. "The showrooms have been very quiet in recent months."
Mr Ron Lim, head of sales and marketing at Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, said “the market has slowed down significantly after the price increase from last round of COE price hike, so we can conclude safely the latest rise has nothing to do with retail demand”.
Still, Mr Lim said Wednesday’s results is also driven by “a classic case of panic bidding” on the back of “speculation over the extent of the next COE quota cut”.
Going by available data to date, the supply of COEs for the May-July period may shrink by as much as 20 per cent.
Mr Lim added that he hopes “some sanity will return after the actual quota is released”, but cautioned that there are “headwinds”, including a three-week break before the next tender exercise (allowing sellers to collect more orders), and the upcoming Car@Expo retail event, which would also typically lead to more orders.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Wall Street Red Flag: A Bond Market Indicator That Has Predicted Every Recession In The Last 50 Years Just Got Triggered
If the bond market is correct, the U.S. economy is definitely heading into a recession. Over the past 50 years, there have been six previous occasions when the yield on three-month Treasury bonds has risen above the yield on ten-year Treasury bonds, and in each of those instances a recession has followed. Now it has happened again, and this comes at a time when a whole host of other economic indicators are screaming that a recession is coming. Of course we have seen recession indicators triggered at other times in recent years, and the Federal Reserve was able to intervene and successfully extend this cycle on multiple occasions. But now that the global economy is clearly the weakest it has been since the last recession, have we finally reached a breaking point?
Many on Wall Street are taking what happened at the end of last week extremely seriously. According to CNBC, we have not seen a yield curve inversion of this nature in 3,009 trading days…
Short-term government fixed income yields are now ahead of the longer part of the curve, delivering a strong recession indication that hasn’t happened since 2007.
The spread, or yield curve, between the 3-month and 10-year Treasury notes just broke the longest streak ever of being above 10 basis points, or 0.1 percentage point. The two maturities were last below that level in September 2007, a run of 3,009 trading days, according to Bespoke Investment Group.
3,009 trading days is a very, very long time.
And now we will see how inverted the curve becomes, because as Zero Hedge has aptly pointed out, the more inverted the curve become the “higher the odds of a recession”…
Why is the inversion of the 3 Month-10 Year curve – the first since 2007 – such a momentous occasion? Because not only is said inversion the most accurate recession leading indicator, having correctly “predicted” the last 6 recessions with no false positives, most recently inverting in 1989, in 2000 and in 2006, with recessions prompting starting in 1990, 2001 and 2008….
… it also feeds directly into every Wall Street recession model: the more inverted it is, the higher the odds of a recession.
To get an idea of what the models are currently showing, just check out this chart. At this moment, the odds of another recession are the highest they have been since the last one.
Many investors were hoping that the bond market would have better news for us on Monday, but instead things got even worse…
On Friday, markets were spooked when the yield curve inverted, a reliable recession signal though usually not an immediate one. That means the rate on a lower duration instrument rose above a longer duration security’s yield. In this case, it was the yield on the 3-month bill, at 2.44 percent Monday, moving above the 10-year yield, which sank as low as 2.38 percent, a more than 2-year low.
I know that just about everybody in America is writing about the Mueller Report right now, and I just posted an article about it too, but the outcome of that investigation is not going to change the trajectory of the global economy. It has been slowing down for quite some time, and that is the primary reason why we have seen an inversion of the yield curve…
“Yield curves are responding to what they see, to what I believe is a global economic slowdown,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Advisory Group. “You don’t see this kind of move in curves, not just here but everywhere, unless you get one.”
Global central banks are already jumping into action, and I expect a tremendous amount of intervention as global economic conditions continue to deteriorate.
But there is only so much that they can do, and even though they have pulled a few rabbits out of the hat in recent years, at some point they are going to completely lose control.
Already, we are starting to see things happen that are very reminiscent of the last recession. For example, we are on pace for the worst year for store closings in all of U.S. history, and another major retailer just announced that they will be closing all their stores…
LifeWay Christian Resources announced Wednesday that it will be closing all remaining 170 stores this year and focusing on online sales. Carol Pipes, director of corporate communications for LifeWay, posted the announcement on the company’s website, explaining that it was “a strategic shift of resources to a dynamic digital strategy.”
Communities all over America, especially the more economically-depressed ones, are going to start looking really bleak as the number of empty buildings continues to rise. This is something that I have warned about for a long time, and now it is happening on a massive scale.
As I end this article, I once again want to mention a factor that is going to have an enormous impact on our economy throughout the rest of this year. The flooding in the middle portion of the nation has destroyed thousands of farms, and the National Weather Service is warning that the flooding that we have seen so far is just “a preview of what we expect throughout the rest of the spring”. This is already the worst flooding disaster for U.S. farmers in modern American history, and it is going to get much, much worse.
We are going to see another huge surge in farm bankruptcies, thousands of farmers will not be able to plant crops at all this year, food prices are going to rise dramatically, and a lot of families all over America are going to have a real problem making their food budgets stretch far enough.
There are so many factors hammering our economy right now. If the Federal Reserve is able to pull another rabbit out of the hat this time, it will be nothing short of a major miracle.
We are literally at a critical tipping point, and it is not going to be easy to pull us back from the brink this time.
Many on Wall Street are taking what happened at the end of last week extremely seriously. According to CNBC, we have not seen a yield curve inversion of this nature in 3,009 trading days…
Short-term government fixed income yields are now ahead of the longer part of the curve, delivering a strong recession indication that hasn’t happened since 2007.
The spread, or yield curve, between the 3-month and 10-year Treasury notes just broke the longest streak ever of being above 10 basis points, or 0.1 percentage point. The two maturities were last below that level in September 2007, a run of 3,009 trading days, according to Bespoke Investment Group.
3,009 trading days is a very, very long time.
And now we will see how inverted the curve becomes, because as Zero Hedge has aptly pointed out, the more inverted the curve become the “higher the odds of a recession”…
Why is the inversion of the 3 Month-10 Year curve – the first since 2007 – such a momentous occasion? Because not only is said inversion the most accurate recession leading indicator, having correctly “predicted” the last 6 recessions with no false positives, most recently inverting in 1989, in 2000 and in 2006, with recessions prompting starting in 1990, 2001 and 2008….
… it also feeds directly into every Wall Street recession model: the more inverted it is, the higher the odds of a recession.
To get an idea of what the models are currently showing, just check out this chart. At this moment, the odds of another recession are the highest they have been since the last one.
Many investors were hoping that the bond market would have better news for us on Monday, but instead things got even worse…
On Friday, markets were spooked when the yield curve inverted, a reliable recession signal though usually not an immediate one. That means the rate on a lower duration instrument rose above a longer duration security’s yield. In this case, it was the yield on the 3-month bill, at 2.44 percent Monday, moving above the 10-year yield, which sank as low as 2.38 percent, a more than 2-year low.
I know that just about everybody in America is writing about the Mueller Report right now, and I just posted an article about it too, but the outcome of that investigation is not going to change the trajectory of the global economy. It has been slowing down for quite some time, and that is the primary reason why we have seen an inversion of the yield curve…
“Yield curves are responding to what they see, to what I believe is a global economic slowdown,” said Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Advisory Group. “You don’t see this kind of move in curves, not just here but everywhere, unless you get one.”
Global central banks are already jumping into action, and I expect a tremendous amount of intervention as global economic conditions continue to deteriorate.
But there is only so much that they can do, and even though they have pulled a few rabbits out of the hat in recent years, at some point they are going to completely lose control.
Already, we are starting to see things happen that are very reminiscent of the last recession. For example, we are on pace for the worst year for store closings in all of U.S. history, and another major retailer just announced that they will be closing all their stores…
LifeWay Christian Resources announced Wednesday that it will be closing all remaining 170 stores this year and focusing on online sales. Carol Pipes, director of corporate communications for LifeWay, posted the announcement on the company’s website, explaining that it was “a strategic shift of resources to a dynamic digital strategy.”
Communities all over America, especially the more economically-depressed ones, are going to start looking really bleak as the number of empty buildings continues to rise. This is something that I have warned about for a long time, and now it is happening on a massive scale.
As I end this article, I once again want to mention a factor that is going to have an enormous impact on our economy throughout the rest of this year. The flooding in the middle portion of the nation has destroyed thousands of farms, and the National Weather Service is warning that the flooding that we have seen so far is just “a preview of what we expect throughout the rest of the spring”. This is already the worst flooding disaster for U.S. farmers in modern American history, and it is going to get much, much worse.
We are going to see another huge surge in farm bankruptcies, thousands of farmers will not be able to plant crops at all this year, food prices are going to rise dramatically, and a lot of families all over America are going to have a real problem making their food budgets stretch far enough.
There are so many factors hammering our economy right now. If the Federal Reserve is able to pull another rabbit out of the hat this time, it will be nothing short of a major miracle.
We are literally at a critical tipping point, and it is not going to be easy to pull us back from the brink this time.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
BMW, Mercedes-Benz lower prices in China after VAT drop
SHANGHAI: BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz said on Saturday they will lower their prices in China, after the government announced it will reduce the country's value-added tax (VAT) starting on April 1.
The German automobile companies each published posts on Chinese social media announcing immediate price cuts for several models. The discounts come as China endures a shrinking market for automobiles as the economy slows.
BMW said it would reduce prices for both domestically produced and imported models, including the locally-made BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series, along with the BMW X5 and BMW 7 import models. The BMW 320Li M model will sell for a suggested retail price of 339,800 yuan (US$50,620), a drop of 10,000 yuan from its original price.
The reductions mark the company's "active response to the national VAT adjustment notice," BMW said in a post on WeChat, China's popular messaging app.
Daimler AG-owned Mercedes-Benz announced similar price cuts on a range of its cars, also effective immediately, in advance of the upcoming VAT drop. The cuts shown on its social media page range from 10,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan on select models.
On March 5, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced that China will cut VAT across a range of industries, with the tax set to drop in the manufacturing sector from 16 percent to 13 percent and in the transport sector from 10 percent to 9 percent.
The carmakers' cuts come as China's automobile industry faces a major slowdown. In 2018, China's car market shrank 5.8 percent, marking its first contraction in over two decades.
Policymakers have introduced a range of policies to stimulate demand for cars. In January, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said it would loosen restrictions on the second-hand car market and provide subsidies to boost purchases in rural areas.
The German automobile companies each published posts on Chinese social media announcing immediate price cuts for several models. The discounts come as China endures a shrinking market for automobiles as the economy slows.
BMW said it would reduce prices for both domestically produced and imported models, including the locally-made BMW 3 series and BMW 5 series, along with the BMW X5 and BMW 7 import models. The BMW 320Li M model will sell for a suggested retail price of 339,800 yuan (US$50,620), a drop of 10,000 yuan from its original price.
The reductions mark the company's "active response to the national VAT adjustment notice," BMW said in a post on WeChat, China's popular messaging app.
Daimler AG-owned Mercedes-Benz announced similar price cuts on a range of its cars, also effective immediately, in advance of the upcoming VAT drop. The cuts shown on its social media page range from 10,000 yuan to 40,000 yuan on select models.
On March 5, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced that China will cut VAT across a range of industries, with the tax set to drop in the manufacturing sector from 16 percent to 13 percent and in the transport sector from 10 percent to 9 percent.
The carmakers' cuts come as China's automobile industry faces a major slowdown. In 2018, China's car market shrank 5.8 percent, marking its first contraction in over two decades.
Policymakers have introduced a range of policies to stimulate demand for cars. In January, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said it would loosen restrictions on the second-hand car market and provide subsidies to boost purchases in rural areas.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Wedding Photography Services
We are a group of freelance photographers managed by professional agency.
Our prices are very affordable if not the cheapest in town.
Our services include pre-wedding studio + outdoor photography, ROM photography, Actual day journalistic wedding photography and so on.
We are currently looking for couples who want to engage Actual day wedding photographer for just S$100 (limited to 10 couples only)
I am still thinking of the places to go for my Outdoor PS. I like sea and sky. I also like old buildings and also flowers ....
Here are some places which I tot of. Any comments?
1) Botanic Gardens/Japanese Garden
2) Changi Beach (any nice beach to recommend)
3) Shophouses at Chinatown (old style)
4) Reservoir
some of following locations u may consider:
1) botanic garden - got waterfall, pond, green field.....
2) Sentosa - orchid garden got a very nice chapel, famous hai zi shui, beach, old house...
3) Marina city park - green field, pond...
4) Changi - lalang field, beach.....
5) Kent Ridge park
6) temples at pickering street & cicil street
7) Peranakan Place at Somerset
8) Sportiswood park - shophouses
9) Railway station
10) Labrador park - sunset
11) SAM
Japanese garden nothing much to take, don waste money go there take. My fren told me the photo turn out not really impressive. He told me must choose colorful background den the photo will turn out nice.
Our prices are very affordable if not the cheapest in town.
Our services include pre-wedding studio + outdoor photography, ROM photography, Actual day journalistic wedding photography and so on.
We are currently looking for couples who want to engage Actual day wedding photographer for just S$100 (limited to 10 couples only)
I am still thinking of the places to go for my Outdoor PS. I like sea and sky. I also like old buildings and also flowers ....
Here are some places which I tot of. Any comments?
1) Botanic Gardens/Japanese Garden
2) Changi Beach (any nice beach to recommend)
3) Shophouses at Chinatown (old style)
4) Reservoir
some of following locations u may consider:
1) botanic garden - got waterfall, pond, green field.....
2) Sentosa - orchid garden got a very nice chapel, famous hai zi shui, beach, old house...
3) Marina city park - green field, pond...
4) Changi - lalang field, beach.....
5) Kent Ridge park
6) temples at pickering street & cicil street
7) Peranakan Place at Somerset
8) Sportiswood park - shophouses
9) Railway station
10) Labrador park - sunset
11) SAM
Japanese garden nothing much to take, don waste money go there take. My fren told me the photo turn out not really impressive. He told me must choose colorful background den the photo will turn out nice.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Oslo: Charging electric cars no longer free of charge
Electric car drivers in the capital of Norway must now pay for charging. Oslo has started the conversion of about 1,300 public charging points in the city to be able to charge a fee. The aim is not so much to cash in but to keep EVs from parking for free without charging.
Starting immediately, Oslo will charge ten crowns (approx. 1 euro) per hour during the day and five NOK per hour at night. At the same time, there are also plans to increase the number of charging stations to 2,000 by the end of the year.
Christina Bu of Norway’s electric car association, Norsk Elbilforening, has welcomed the step. She told the Norwegian Aftenposten that “we need to ensure rotation and that people only park at charging stations when they’re charging”.
With EV charging infrastructure lacking behind actual sales of electric cars, charging is increasingly becoming a problem, particularly in densely populated urban areas. We hear reports of incidences of electric car drivers using the free parking opportunity at a charge column without charging from people in various markets.
The (luxury) problem may further intensify as more and more electric car clubs go live. 250 Renault Zoe have just been made available in Oslo this winter, and while the new service is supposed to help alleviate public transport and supported by train operator NSB, these EVs will have to charge as well.
In Norway, almost every second vehicle registered is currently an EV. According to this CAM study, the market percentage of electric vehicles in Norway in the first three quarters of 2018 climbed from 37% to 46.7% compared to the previous year. From a European perspective and counting only passenger electric cars, Norway continues to be miles ahead of its neighbouring countries. The country had an EV share of 31,2% in 2018 according to this count.
Starting immediately, Oslo will charge ten crowns (approx. 1 euro) per hour during the day and five NOK per hour at night. At the same time, there are also plans to increase the number of charging stations to 2,000 by the end of the year.
Christina Bu of Norway’s electric car association, Norsk Elbilforening, has welcomed the step. She told the Norwegian Aftenposten that “we need to ensure rotation and that people only park at charging stations when they’re charging”.
With EV charging infrastructure lacking behind actual sales of electric cars, charging is increasingly becoming a problem, particularly in densely populated urban areas. We hear reports of incidences of electric car drivers using the free parking opportunity at a charge column without charging from people in various markets.
The (luxury) problem may further intensify as more and more electric car clubs go live. 250 Renault Zoe have just been made available in Oslo this winter, and while the new service is supposed to help alleviate public transport and supported by train operator NSB, these EVs will have to charge as well.
In Norway, almost every second vehicle registered is currently an EV. According to this CAM study, the market percentage of electric vehicles in Norway in the first three quarters of 2018 climbed from 37% to 46.7% compared to the previous year. From a European perspective and counting only passenger electric cars, Norway continues to be miles ahead of its neighbouring countries. The country had an EV share of 31,2% in 2018 according to this count.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Stunning 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA Starts Production
Will it be as successful as the first-generation CLA?
After debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, the stunning 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA has officially entered production at the German company’s factory in Kecskemét, Hungary, where it will be assembled alongside the new A-Class and the CLA Shooting Brake.
Based on the new A-Class, the second-generation CLA builds on the monumental success of its predecessor and is designed to appeal to younger buyers with its sleek styling. Since its introduction in 2013, Mercedes has sold over 750,000 units of the first-generation CLA, and most of them were bought by customers new to the brand. To say that the new model has some big shoes to fill is an understatement.
"The ramp-up of the new CLA Coupe once again demonstrates the effectiveness of our international production network for the compact models of Mercedes-Benz cars. The success story of the preceding model was already closely associated with the Kecskemét plant. We are now writing the next chapter in this story. While the plant continues to operate at the highest technological level," said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.
Under the hood, the CLA 250 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch to 4Matic all-wheel-drive. Other models will make use of diesel engines and a manual transmission, but these will most likely only be available in Europe.
Inside, the second-generation CLA features Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system first introduced in the new A-Class, which boasts a new intelligent virtual assistant that can be operated by voice or gesture control. Available safety systems include Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-Safe Plus, and Multibeam LED headlights.
Pricing for the 2020 Mercedes CLA hasn’t been announced yet, but customer deliveries will begin in May so we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out. For the first year of production, Mercedes will offer a CLA Edition 1, which includes numerous accents on the interior and exterior.
After debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, the stunning 2020 Mercedes-Benz CLA has officially entered production at the German company’s factory in Kecskemét, Hungary, where it will be assembled alongside the new A-Class and the CLA Shooting Brake.
Based on the new A-Class, the second-generation CLA builds on the monumental success of its predecessor and is designed to appeal to younger buyers with its sleek styling. Since its introduction in 2013, Mercedes has sold over 750,000 units of the first-generation CLA, and most of them were bought by customers new to the brand. To say that the new model has some big shoes to fill is an understatement.
"The ramp-up of the new CLA Coupe once again demonstrates the effectiveness of our international production network for the compact models of Mercedes-Benz cars. The success story of the preceding model was already closely associated with the Kecskemét plant. We are now writing the next chapter in this story. While the plant continues to operate at the highest technological level," said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Divisional Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Production and Supply Chain.
Under the hood, the CLA 250 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch to 4Matic all-wheel-drive. Other models will make use of diesel engines and a manual transmission, but these will most likely only be available in Europe.
Inside, the second-generation CLA features Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system first introduced in the new A-Class, which boasts a new intelligent virtual assistant that can be operated by voice or gesture control. Available safety systems include Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-Safe Plus, and Multibeam LED headlights.
Pricing for the 2020 Mercedes CLA hasn’t been announced yet, but customer deliveries will begin in May so we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out. For the first year of production, Mercedes will offer a CLA Edition 1, which includes numerous accents on the interior and exterior.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
Manhart releases a power kit for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG
It’s been a while since we heard from German tuner Manhart. As it turns out, the team was busy developing a power kit for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG (both SUV and coupe versions). They call the end result “Manhart GLR 700”, clearly referencing engine power with that number.
In its stock state, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces up to 510 hp (380 kW) and 700 Nm of torque. The upgrade brings along improved turbochargers, a better air intake, a new exhaust system and a major ECU tuning. The result is a magnificent 713 hp (532 kW) and 920 Nm of torque.
Needless to say, this kind of boost necessitates making certain tweaks to the stock 9-speed automatic transmission, and Manhart is happy to deliver here, too.
On the outside, the Manhart GLR 700 sports 21-inch Concave One wheels, lowered ride height and a matte-grey paint wrap with atelier’s trademark yellow accents.
In its stock state, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 AMG has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces up to 510 hp (380 kW) and 700 Nm of torque. The upgrade brings along improved turbochargers, a better air intake, a new exhaust system and a major ECU tuning. The result is a magnificent 713 hp (532 kW) and 920 Nm of torque.
Needless to say, this kind of boost necessitates making certain tweaks to the stock 9-speed automatic transmission, and Manhart is happy to deliver here, too.
On the outside, the Manhart GLR 700 sports 21-inch Concave One wheels, lowered ride height and a matte-grey paint wrap with atelier’s trademark yellow accents.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
COE prices close mostly higher in latest bidding exercise
SINGAPORE: Certificate of Entitlement (COE) premiums closed mostly higher in the latest bidding exercise on Friday (Feb 8).
For Category A cars, or those 1,600cc and below with horsepower not exceeding 130bhp, premiums closed at S$25,689, down from S$26,170 in the last exercise.
Premiums for larger and more powerful cars in Category B rose to S$34,509 from S$33,989.
COEs for commercial vehicles, which include goods vehicles and buses, rose to S$26,378 from S$26,230 in the previous bidding exercise.
Motorcycle premiums closed at S$3,709, up from S$2,889 in the last exercise.
Open category COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but end up being used mainly for large cars, rose to S$35,310 from S$33,689.
A total of 6,483 bids were received, with a quota of 4,427 COEs available.
For Category A cars, or those 1,600cc and below with horsepower not exceeding 130bhp, premiums closed at S$25,689, down from S$26,170 in the last exercise.
Premiums for larger and more powerful cars in Category B rose to S$34,509 from S$33,989.
COEs for commercial vehicles, which include goods vehicles and buses, rose to S$26,378 from S$26,230 in the previous bidding exercise.
Motorcycle premiums closed at S$3,709, up from S$2,889 in the last exercise.
Open category COEs, which can be used for any vehicle type but end up being used mainly for large cars, rose to S$35,310 from S$33,689.
A total of 6,483 bids were received, with a quota of 4,427 COEs available.
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Climate Collapse: Wind Chill Temperatures Will Hit -60 In The Midwest This Week As Global Weather Patterns Shift
The experts are telling us that the Midwest could experience the coldest weather that it has ever seen this week. Wind chill temperatures of -40 and -50 degrees will be common throughout the region, and it is being projected that some spots will actually get hit by wind chill temperatures of up to -60 degrees. A shift in the polar vortex is being blamed for this life-threatening weather, and we are being told to expect the coldest temperatures to arrive on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. But all-time records are already being set. For example, according to Accuweather the temperature in the city of International Falls, Minnesota hit 45 below zero on Monday morning…
The coldest weather in years will put millions of people and animals throughout the midwestern United States at risk for hypothermia and frostbite to occur in minutes during the final days of January.
The deep freeze continued across the Upper Midwest on Sunday with temperatures plummeting well below zero in the morning. The low of 45 below zero F in International Falls, Minnesota, shattered the day’s record of 36 below zero F from 1966.
Please keep in mind that was not a wind chill temperature.
That was the actual temperature outside.
As the week progresses, bitterly cold temperatures will be accompanied by heavy snow and strong winds across the Midwest. The polar jet stream has weakened, and as a result the polar vortex will “dip into parts of North America”…
The wintry onslaught will be driven by the Northern Hemisphere’s polar vortex, the pocket of cold air sitting atop the North Pole. When temperatures rise in the Arctic, the polar jet stream — the torrent of westerly winds that hold the polar vortex in place — can weaken and dip into parts of North America.
“Occasionally this ring of winds deforms or even splits, which allows the cold air to spill southward over mid latitudes — this is exactly what’s happening now,” said Jennifer Francis, a senior research scientist with Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts, in an email. “It just so happens that the lobe of cold air is located over central North America, with Chicago in the crosshairs.”
This is an extremely dangerous situation, and we will probably read about some people that underestimate the danger and end up dead.
According to weather.com, the air will be so cold that it “could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes”…
This bitter cold will be accompanied by strong winds at times Tuesday through Thursday, leading to life-threatening wind chills in the Midwest that could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes. A large swath of the Midwest will have wind chills in the 30s, 40s and 50s below zero by Wednesday. A few spots in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota may see wind chills in the 60s below zero.
Unless you absolutely must go out for some reason, if you live in the Midwest you should stay inside until temperatures begin to warm up again.
This weather is so unusual that even President Trump is tweeting about it…
In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People can’t last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you!
Now that even the president of the United States is acknowledging that this winter could be “the coldest ever recorded”, I want to remind everyone that we were warned about this months in advance…
–“Climate Chaos: Following Record Heat This Summer, Experts Are Predicting There Will Be A Nightmarishly Cold Winter”
–“November Snow In Texas? Experts Warn Decreased Solar Activity Will Shatter All Global Climate Models”
–“The Coldest And Snowiest November Ever? Here Is Why America’s Freakish Weather Is Only Going To Get Worse…”
–“A Mini Ice Age? NASA Scientist Warns That Diminished Solar Activity Could Mean The Coldest Winter In Modern Times”
–“-75 Wind Chill On Thanksgiving??? Why This Could Be The Coldest Winter In America EVER…”
I wrote article after article warning that this would happen, and now it is happening.
At this hour, schools and businesses are closed throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin as blizzard-like conditions sweep through both states. And Chicago is bracing for what will likely be the coldest day ever in the history of the city…
After seeing a high around 34 on Monday at O’Hare International Airport, temperatures will drop to near zero before the end of the day, according to the National Weather Service. By Tuesday night, temperatures are expected to take another plunge, to 23 below zero, flirting with Chicago’s coldest temperature ever: minus 27 on Jan. 20, 1985.
Temperatures are forecast to inch up to a daytime high of about minus 14 on Wednesday — the first subzero high temperature in five years and the coldest winter high ever recorded in Chicago — before dipping, again, to about minus 21 overnight. The coldest daytime high in Chicago was minus 11 on Christmas Eve 1983.
Our planet is changing, our climate is collapsing, and this is going to put an increasing amount of strain on social order.
And we are already starting to see evidence of this. In fact, Chicago police are telling us that in recent days people have been getting robbed of their expensive winter coats at gunpoint…
Chicago police are reporting gunpoint robberies targeting people wearing pricey Canada Goose jackets as temperatures plunge in the city.
Over the past two weeks, police say there’s been a spate of the thefts in which people wearing the luxury coats have been targeted and forced to give up the jackets. The coats can cost upward of $1,000 and are often seen on celebrities.
Six people had their Canada Goose coats stolen last week and two more were targeted Wednesday.
Unfortunately, this is only just the beginning.
Global seismic activity is rising, weather patterns are becoming more extreme, and a worldwide environmental collapse is already well underway. If you have any doubts that this worldwide environmental collapse is happening, just read this excellent article by Chris Martenson.
We have been making the wrong decisions for decades, and now the consequences of those decisions are starting to catch up with us. The clock is ticking, but most Americans are still completely and utterly clueless about what is coming.
The coldest weather in years will put millions of people and animals throughout the midwestern United States at risk for hypothermia and frostbite to occur in minutes during the final days of January.
The deep freeze continued across the Upper Midwest on Sunday with temperatures plummeting well below zero in the morning. The low of 45 below zero F in International Falls, Minnesota, shattered the day’s record of 36 below zero F from 1966.
Please keep in mind that was not a wind chill temperature.
That was the actual temperature outside.
As the week progresses, bitterly cold temperatures will be accompanied by heavy snow and strong winds across the Midwest. The polar jet stream has weakened, and as a result the polar vortex will “dip into parts of North America”…
The wintry onslaught will be driven by the Northern Hemisphere’s polar vortex, the pocket of cold air sitting atop the North Pole. When temperatures rise in the Arctic, the polar jet stream — the torrent of westerly winds that hold the polar vortex in place — can weaken and dip into parts of North America.
“Occasionally this ring of winds deforms or even splits, which allows the cold air to spill southward over mid latitudes — this is exactly what’s happening now,” said Jennifer Francis, a senior research scientist with Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts, in an email. “It just so happens that the lobe of cold air is located over central North America, with Chicago in the crosshairs.”
This is an extremely dangerous situation, and we will probably read about some people that underestimate the danger and end up dead.
According to weather.com, the air will be so cold that it “could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes”…
This bitter cold will be accompanied by strong winds at times Tuesday through Thursday, leading to life-threatening wind chills in the Midwest that could lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes. A large swath of the Midwest will have wind chills in the 30s, 40s and 50s below zero by Wednesday. A few spots in Minnesota and eastern North Dakota may see wind chills in the 60s below zero.
Unless you absolutely must go out for some reason, if you live in the Midwest you should stay inside until temperatures begin to warm up again.
This weather is so unusual that even President Trump is tweeting about it…
In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded. In coming days, expected to get even colder. People can’t last outside even for minutes. What the hell is going on with Global Waming? Please come back fast, we need you!
Now that even the president of the United States is acknowledging that this winter could be “the coldest ever recorded”, I want to remind everyone that we were warned about this months in advance…
–“Climate Chaos: Following Record Heat This Summer, Experts Are Predicting There Will Be A Nightmarishly Cold Winter”
–“November Snow In Texas? Experts Warn Decreased Solar Activity Will Shatter All Global Climate Models”
–“The Coldest And Snowiest November Ever? Here Is Why America’s Freakish Weather Is Only Going To Get Worse…”
–“A Mini Ice Age? NASA Scientist Warns That Diminished Solar Activity Could Mean The Coldest Winter In Modern Times”
–“-75 Wind Chill On Thanksgiving??? Why This Could Be The Coldest Winter In America EVER…”
I wrote article after article warning that this would happen, and now it is happening.
At this hour, schools and businesses are closed throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin as blizzard-like conditions sweep through both states. And Chicago is bracing for what will likely be the coldest day ever in the history of the city…
After seeing a high around 34 on Monday at O’Hare International Airport, temperatures will drop to near zero before the end of the day, according to the National Weather Service. By Tuesday night, temperatures are expected to take another plunge, to 23 below zero, flirting with Chicago’s coldest temperature ever: minus 27 on Jan. 20, 1985.
Temperatures are forecast to inch up to a daytime high of about minus 14 on Wednesday — the first subzero high temperature in five years and the coldest winter high ever recorded in Chicago — before dipping, again, to about minus 21 overnight. The coldest daytime high in Chicago was minus 11 on Christmas Eve 1983.
Our planet is changing, our climate is collapsing, and this is going to put an increasing amount of strain on social order.
And we are already starting to see evidence of this. In fact, Chicago police are telling us that in recent days people have been getting robbed of their expensive winter coats at gunpoint…
Chicago police are reporting gunpoint robberies targeting people wearing pricey Canada Goose jackets as temperatures plunge in the city.
Over the past two weeks, police say there’s been a spate of the thefts in which people wearing the luxury coats have been targeted and forced to give up the jackets. The coats can cost upward of $1,000 and are often seen on celebrities.
Six people had their Canada Goose coats stolen last week and two more were targeted Wednesday.
Unfortunately, this is only just the beginning.
Global seismic activity is rising, weather patterns are becoming more extreme, and a worldwide environmental collapse is already well underway. If you have any doubts that this worldwide environmental collapse is happening, just read this excellent article by Chris Martenson.
We have been making the wrong decisions for decades, and now the consequences of those decisions are starting to catch up with us. The clock is ticking, but most Americans are still completely and utterly clueless about what is coming.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Eight Things to Know About the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Plug-in Hybrid
The incentive to buy electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in Ontario came in the form of a government cash rebate. Up to $14,000. Depending on the size of the battery and electric range.
Something like the GLC 350e which packs an 8.7 kWh battery pack under the load floor would have qualified for $7000 cash back. But on July 3rd of 2018, Ontario pulled the plug on these rebates and left many reconsidering whether or not battery-powered vehicles were worth it to them. Sales of the popular Nissan Leaf EV seemed to have plummeted nearly overnight. In the case of the GLC 350e, the $13,000 premium it commands over the base model would have been much easier to swallow with that rather substantial discount.
But because it’s a plug-in that still retains a good ol’ gasoline engine as its primary source of propulsion, the 350e like many other plug-in hybrids I’ve driven have a lot going for them: great economy, much quicker charge times than a full EV, the ability to drive in zero-emissions electric mode and, best of all, no range anxiety.
I spent a week with the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC and these are eight things I learned about it.
Note: The GLC 350e reviewed here was a 2018 model and the 2019 GLC 350e carries on unchanged, but the base price is now $60,200.
It’s a plug-in hybrid—undercover
Compared to items like the ugly-duckling Honda Clarity and even the Outlander PHEV with all its EV badging, the plug-in GLC looks like any other GLC on the road. This means you get a handsome and conservatively styled SUV with that desirable three-pointed star on the nose. It doesn’t attract too much attention and just sort of blends in with everything else.
Apart from the tiny “EQ power” badges on the front fenders and the 350e badge on the rear hatch, which could mean anything these days, there’s not much to tell this one apart from standard GLCs.
Eagle-eyed folks out there might spot the cutout for the charge port, but even then it’s on the rear bumper, almost like Mercedes tried to hide it. Other manufacturers put them on the opposite side of the fuel filler where you expect it. I appreciate the stealthy play here, also the quizzical looks on people’s faces when you pull up to a charging station to plug it in.
Cargo space takes a hit
The GLC 300 has 550 litres of luggage space making it competitive in the compact SUV segment. The 350e, on the other hand, has to make do with 155 litres less due to the space required by the battery pack. And it is a bit tight back there, only just fitting our full-size stroller. But for a typical grocery run or short trip, it works.
It’s quick
Slotting in between the base GLC 300 and the powerful AMG GLC 43, this electrified Mercedes couples a turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder with an 85 kW electric motor to produce 315 hp and a hefty 413 lb-ft of torque that you can feel the second you prod the gas pedal. The GLC 350e positively leaps off the line and can accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, half a second quicker than the base model. It feels faster than the numbers suggest, thanks to instantaneous electric torque.
Despite weighing about 200 kg more than the gasoline-only GLC, the 350e wears its weight well and you can really only feel it when pushing hard through a corner where body roll becomes more pronounced. And, really, that’s not what it was intended to do and I doubt any customers shopping this segment care too much about ultimate cornering grip.
It’s efficient
Some plug-ins have bigger battery packs and offer more range, but the 21 km rating seems pretty accurate and I saw about that on a full charge. And it was pretty cold outside too, with temperatures hovering just above the freezing mark. The 8.7 kWh battery takes about 2 hours to top up completely when hooked up to a 240v Level 2 charger.
Living in a condo limits my options for plugging in, so I had to find charging stations at local shopping centres. There are more and more of these popping up, but it can still be a bit of an inconvenience. Even so, when the 350e is low on battery power it still manages to run very efficiently. At light throttle openings or when coasting the engine will usually power down, indicated by the revs dropping to zero. It intelligently and seamlessly kills the engine at every opportunity it can find. So despite not being able to plug in too many times I still achieved a respectable 10.5L/100 km. Numbers that would have easily dropped by a litre or two if I had a dedicated spot to charge it overnight. The GLC 350e is officially rated to do 8.6L/100km on the highway and 9.6 in the city. The gas-only GLC 300 has almost identical highway numbers but is only able to muster an average of 11 in city driving.
It has a haptic feedback gas pedal
The GLC 350e has a gas pedal that communicates with the driver by offering force feedback, like a video game controller. Think being shot playing Call of Duty. It can be turned on and off through the menus but is on by default in Eco mode. By generating a series of knocks that can be felt under your right foot, the pedal tells you to release some of the pressure on the gas pedal if you are pushing too hard.
It’s an odd feeling at first that might even have some people thinking something is wrong. It is nonetheless quite effective at reminding you that you can be driving in a more efficient manner.
It’s comfortable
One of my favourite aspects of this GLC has to be the ride. The suspension did a remarkable job of soaking up just about everything downtown Toronto roads threw at it and in electric mode the interior is as quiet as an S-Class, if not quieter.
When the gasoline motor kicks in, you do hear a slight drone but it’s not intrusive like some other plug-in hybrids I have driven. Driving the GLC especially in EV mode felt akin to being sealed in a Zen chamber that I did not want to get out of.
It can tow
You can get an optional factory trailer hitch and equipped this way, the plug-in Benz can haul up to 1588 kg. Not a large number but more than enough for towing a trailer carrying two personal watercraft.
This is the only plug-in Mercedes you can buy today
And although that will change very soon, the GLC 350e is the only Benz currently offered for sale that you can plug in.
The new CLS and AMG E 53 both offer a mild hybrid powertrain that couples an inline-6 gasoline engine and an integrated starter generator but neither offers full electric operation and plug-in capability.
This will all change with the 2020 EQC: a full electric crossover that will return between 400 and 450 km of range on a full charge, and give Tesla a run for its money. But it’s still about a year away from hitting Canadian showrooms.
In the meantime, this is one of the few luxury SUVs on the market that’s also a plug-in, and it’s a really good one. I enjoyed driving it quite a bit. But without that cash back offer from Ontario, it would take many years to make up the difference in fuel savings over a GLC 300, making this one a difficult decision to make.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC
BODY STYLE: 5-door, 5 passenger compact SUV
CONFIGURATION: Front-engine, All-wheel drive
ENGINE: 2.0 L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder + 85 kW electric motor; Power: 315 hp @ 5000 rpm (combined); Torque: 413 lb-ft @ 1200-4000 rpm (combined)
TRANSMISSION : 7-speed automatic
FUEL ECONOMY: (Premium gasoline in L/100 km) 9.8 city; 8.6 highway; 9.3 combined
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 10.5 L/100 KM
CARGO CAPACITY: 395 litres; 1445 litres with rear seats folded
Something like the GLC 350e which packs an 8.7 kWh battery pack under the load floor would have qualified for $7000 cash back. But on July 3rd of 2018, Ontario pulled the plug on these rebates and left many reconsidering whether or not battery-powered vehicles were worth it to them. Sales of the popular Nissan Leaf EV seemed to have plummeted nearly overnight. In the case of the GLC 350e, the $13,000 premium it commands over the base model would have been much easier to swallow with that rather substantial discount.
But because it’s a plug-in that still retains a good ol’ gasoline engine as its primary source of propulsion, the 350e like many other plug-in hybrids I’ve driven have a lot going for them: great economy, much quicker charge times than a full EV, the ability to drive in zero-emissions electric mode and, best of all, no range anxiety.
I spent a week with the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC and these are eight things I learned about it.
Note: The GLC 350e reviewed here was a 2018 model and the 2019 GLC 350e carries on unchanged, but the base price is now $60,200.
It’s a plug-in hybrid—undercover
Compared to items like the ugly-duckling Honda Clarity and even the Outlander PHEV with all its EV badging, the plug-in GLC looks like any other GLC on the road. This means you get a handsome and conservatively styled SUV with that desirable three-pointed star on the nose. It doesn’t attract too much attention and just sort of blends in with everything else.
Apart from the tiny “EQ power” badges on the front fenders and the 350e badge on the rear hatch, which could mean anything these days, there’s not much to tell this one apart from standard GLCs.
Eagle-eyed folks out there might spot the cutout for the charge port, but even then it’s on the rear bumper, almost like Mercedes tried to hide it. Other manufacturers put them on the opposite side of the fuel filler where you expect it. I appreciate the stealthy play here, also the quizzical looks on people’s faces when you pull up to a charging station to plug it in.
Cargo space takes a hit
The GLC 300 has 550 litres of luggage space making it competitive in the compact SUV segment. The 350e, on the other hand, has to make do with 155 litres less due to the space required by the battery pack. And it is a bit tight back there, only just fitting our full-size stroller. But for a typical grocery run or short trip, it works.
It’s quick
Slotting in between the base GLC 300 and the powerful AMG GLC 43, this electrified Mercedes couples a turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder with an 85 kW electric motor to produce 315 hp and a hefty 413 lb-ft of torque that you can feel the second you prod the gas pedal. The GLC 350e positively leaps off the line and can accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, half a second quicker than the base model. It feels faster than the numbers suggest, thanks to instantaneous electric torque.
Despite weighing about 200 kg more than the gasoline-only GLC, the 350e wears its weight well and you can really only feel it when pushing hard through a corner where body roll becomes more pronounced. And, really, that’s not what it was intended to do and I doubt any customers shopping this segment care too much about ultimate cornering grip.
It’s efficient
Some plug-ins have bigger battery packs and offer more range, but the 21 km rating seems pretty accurate and I saw about that on a full charge. And it was pretty cold outside too, with temperatures hovering just above the freezing mark. The 8.7 kWh battery takes about 2 hours to top up completely when hooked up to a 240v Level 2 charger.
Living in a condo limits my options for plugging in, so I had to find charging stations at local shopping centres. There are more and more of these popping up, but it can still be a bit of an inconvenience. Even so, when the 350e is low on battery power it still manages to run very efficiently. At light throttle openings or when coasting the engine will usually power down, indicated by the revs dropping to zero. It intelligently and seamlessly kills the engine at every opportunity it can find. So despite not being able to plug in too many times I still achieved a respectable 10.5L/100 km. Numbers that would have easily dropped by a litre or two if I had a dedicated spot to charge it overnight. The GLC 350e is officially rated to do 8.6L/100km on the highway and 9.6 in the city. The gas-only GLC 300 has almost identical highway numbers but is only able to muster an average of 11 in city driving.
It has a haptic feedback gas pedal
The GLC 350e has a gas pedal that communicates with the driver by offering force feedback, like a video game controller. Think being shot playing Call of Duty. It can be turned on and off through the menus but is on by default in Eco mode. By generating a series of knocks that can be felt under your right foot, the pedal tells you to release some of the pressure on the gas pedal if you are pushing too hard.
It’s an odd feeling at first that might even have some people thinking something is wrong. It is nonetheless quite effective at reminding you that you can be driving in a more efficient manner.
It’s comfortable
One of my favourite aspects of this GLC has to be the ride. The suspension did a remarkable job of soaking up just about everything downtown Toronto roads threw at it and in electric mode the interior is as quiet as an S-Class, if not quieter.
When the gasoline motor kicks in, you do hear a slight drone but it’s not intrusive like some other plug-in hybrids I have driven. Driving the GLC especially in EV mode felt akin to being sealed in a Zen chamber that I did not want to get out of.
It can tow
You can get an optional factory trailer hitch and equipped this way, the plug-in Benz can haul up to 1588 kg. Not a large number but more than enough for towing a trailer carrying two personal watercraft.
This is the only plug-in Mercedes you can buy today
And although that will change very soon, the GLC 350e is the only Benz currently offered for sale that you can plug in.
The new CLS and AMG E 53 both offer a mild hybrid powertrain that couples an inline-6 gasoline engine and an integrated starter generator but neither offers full electric operation and plug-in capability.
This will all change with the 2020 EQC: a full electric crossover that will return between 400 and 450 km of range on a full charge, and give Tesla a run for its money. But it’s still about a year away from hitting Canadian showrooms.
In the meantime, this is one of the few luxury SUVs on the market that’s also a plug-in, and it’s a really good one. I enjoyed driving it quite a bit. But without that cash back offer from Ontario, it would take many years to make up the difference in fuel savings over a GLC 300, making this one a difficult decision to make.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e 4MATIC
BODY STYLE: 5-door, 5 passenger compact SUV
CONFIGURATION: Front-engine, All-wheel drive
ENGINE: 2.0 L turbocharged inline 4 cylinder + 85 kW electric motor; Power: 315 hp @ 5000 rpm (combined); Torque: 413 lb-ft @ 1200-4000 rpm (combined)
TRANSMISSION : 7-speed automatic
FUEL ECONOMY: (Premium gasoline in L/100 km) 9.8 city; 8.6 highway; 9.3 combined
OBSERVED FUEL ECONOMY: 10.5 L/100 KM
CARGO CAPACITY: 395 litres; 1445 litres with rear seats folded
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Show stoppers of the 2019 Singapore Motorshow
New cars are among the highlights of the 2019 Singapore Motorshow
High-voltage and high-octane models hog the limelight at the Singapore Motorshow, which is on until tomorrow.
In all, 140 cars are on display, with 25 of them being launched officially or shown for the first time here.
Here are some highlights.
INFINITI QX50
Few carmakers work on new engines these days. Nissan's Infiniti is one. Its QX50 with actress Zoe Tay boasts the world's first production variable compression ratio turbo engine. The 2-litre continually adjusts its compression ratio to optimise efficiency. It combines the power of a petrol engine with the torque and efficiency of a diesel engine.
AUDI Q3
Making its Asian debut here is Audi's compact crossover, now sportier, smarter and sharper than ever. The second-generation Q3 is also a five-star scorer at the European New Car Assessment Programme crash tests.
MAZDA 3
The current Mazda 3 is already a sleek number, but the new one is even sleeker. Variants arriving include a mild hybrid and a variable compression model.
BMW 3-SERIES
The 3-series has always been BMW's ultimate driving machine. The latest one packs a host of innovative features, including the ability to retrace its path backwards for 50m.
BMW X5
This family sport utility vehicle debuts as a five-seater, with a seven-seater due shortly. A new design hides its bulk cleverly.
PEUGEOT 508
Peugeot never lets you down in the design department and the new 508 is proof yet again. The latest car looks sportier and has a sumptuous interior.
LEXUS UX
Lexus' foray into the mass-premium crossover segment looks yummy inside and out. .
JAGUAR I-PACE
This premium electric car is too low-slung to be a crossover. Shod with big wheels and a long-range battery, the I-Pace promises a sporty drive to Kuala Lumpur.
DS7 CROSSBACK
If you tire of German sport utility vehicles, check out this luxury offering from Citroen. It packs adaptive LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, camera-based predictive damping - all within a 1.6-litre turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
NISSAN LEAF
The world's best-selling electric car looks premium enough to be branded an Infiniti. It also drives amazingly well.
NISSAN SERENA E-POWER
If you want a big car with a small running cost, this hybrid multi-purpose vehicle is it.
ALPINE A110
With 250 horses hauling a body weighing just a little over a tonne, the Alpine A110 - a Porsche Cayman competitor - hits 100kmh in 4.5 seconds. It marks the first appearance of the Alpine brand here in decades.
SUZUKI S-CROSS
This biggish crossover (above) is powered by a 1-litre turbo engine behind a grille never seen on a Suzuki before.
TOYOTA CAMRY
Toyota has attempted to make the Camry less "uncle" and more hip. This eighth-generation executive sedan is said to have a lower centre of gravity and a tauter chassis to enhance handling. It is available as a 2 or 2.5-litre, with a hybrid expected later.
PORSCHE MACAN
This is the latest Porsche to sport full-length tail-lamps that are now common among Porsche and Audi cars. Inside, you get a bigger 10.9-inch infotainment screen.
TOYOTA RAV4
Joseph Schooling's new ride is a handsome crossover which has as much presence as a Harrier, and is far less fussy than the CH-R.
VOLVO S60
It looks exactly like a smaller version of the new S90 flagship sedan, which is a very good thing indeed. But with its more compact footprint, expect more dynamism on the road too.
SUBARU FORESTER E-BOXER
With a small battery pack you can see in the boot powering a motor incorporated into its symmetrical all-wheel drivetrain, the Forester e-Boxer brings Subaru into the 21st century.
RANGE ROVER SPORT PLUG-IN HYBRID
A big and hefty sport utility vehicle can always benefit from power via a wall socket. This car offers Range Rover fans the chance to do so.
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
The second iteration of the world's favourite Range Rover makes its Asian debut here. Expect minor styling tweaks and a host of new tech features.
HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC
The fact that private-hire operator Grab ordered 200 units says plenty about this new electric car.
High-voltage and high-octane models hog the limelight at the Singapore Motorshow, which is on until tomorrow.
In all, 140 cars are on display, with 25 of them being launched officially or shown for the first time here.
Here are some highlights.
INFINITI QX50
Few carmakers work on new engines these days. Nissan's Infiniti is one. Its QX50 with actress Zoe Tay boasts the world's first production variable compression ratio turbo engine. The 2-litre continually adjusts its compression ratio to optimise efficiency. It combines the power of a petrol engine with the torque and efficiency of a diesel engine.
AUDI Q3
Making its Asian debut here is Audi's compact crossover, now sportier, smarter and sharper than ever. The second-generation Q3 is also a five-star scorer at the European New Car Assessment Programme crash tests.
MAZDA 3
The current Mazda 3 is already a sleek number, but the new one is even sleeker. Variants arriving include a mild hybrid and a variable compression model.
BMW 3-SERIES
The 3-series has always been BMW's ultimate driving machine. The latest one packs a host of innovative features, including the ability to retrace its path backwards for 50m.
BMW X5
This family sport utility vehicle debuts as a five-seater, with a seven-seater due shortly. A new design hides its bulk cleverly.
PEUGEOT 508
Peugeot never lets you down in the design department and the new 508 is proof yet again. The latest car looks sportier and has a sumptuous interior.
LEXUS UX
Lexus' foray into the mass-premium crossover segment looks yummy inside and out. .
JAGUAR I-PACE
This premium electric car is too low-slung to be a crossover. Shod with big wheels and a long-range battery, the I-Pace promises a sporty drive to Kuala Lumpur.
DS7 CROSSBACK
If you tire of German sport utility vehicles, check out this luxury offering from Citroen. It packs adaptive LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, camera-based predictive damping - all within a 1.6-litre turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
NISSAN LEAF
The world's best-selling electric car looks premium enough to be branded an Infiniti. It also drives amazingly well.
NISSAN SERENA E-POWER
If you want a big car with a small running cost, this hybrid multi-purpose vehicle is it.
ALPINE A110
With 250 horses hauling a body weighing just a little over a tonne, the Alpine A110 - a Porsche Cayman competitor - hits 100kmh in 4.5 seconds. It marks the first appearance of the Alpine brand here in decades.
SUZUKI S-CROSS
This biggish crossover (above) is powered by a 1-litre turbo engine behind a grille never seen on a Suzuki before.
TOYOTA CAMRY
Toyota has attempted to make the Camry less "uncle" and more hip. This eighth-generation executive sedan is said to have a lower centre of gravity and a tauter chassis to enhance handling. It is available as a 2 or 2.5-litre, with a hybrid expected later.
PORSCHE MACAN
This is the latest Porsche to sport full-length tail-lamps that are now common among Porsche and Audi cars. Inside, you get a bigger 10.9-inch infotainment screen.
TOYOTA RAV4
Joseph Schooling's new ride is a handsome crossover which has as much presence as a Harrier, and is far less fussy than the CH-R.
VOLVO S60
It looks exactly like a smaller version of the new S90 flagship sedan, which is a very good thing indeed. But with its more compact footprint, expect more dynamism on the road too.
SUBARU FORESTER E-BOXER
With a small battery pack you can see in the boot powering a motor incorporated into its symmetrical all-wheel drivetrain, the Forester e-Boxer brings Subaru into the 21st century.
RANGE ROVER SPORT PLUG-IN HYBRID
A big and hefty sport utility vehicle can always benefit from power via a wall socket. This car offers Range Rover fans the chance to do so.
RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
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Saturday, January 5, 2019
New Mercedes GLA 2019
The next-generation Mercedes GLA is set to make its debut in 2019, using the same platform and engines as the latest A-Class.
Mercedes is set to completely revamp its SUV range by 2020 and the new GLA, which will remain the firm’s smallest, least expensive SUV, will be a particularly important member of a new five-car SUV line-up.
Exclusive renders from our sister site Auto Express give an indication of what the new GLA will look like. While not a dramatic overhaul, the car does have new LED head and tail-lights, and benefits from an increase in width and wheelbase. Buyers can expect more passenger space as a result.
The new GLA will use turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines already seen in the A-Class and E-Class, and a range-topping AMG model with more than 400bhp is very likely.
While exterior changes will be relatively minor, the interior of the new GLA is set to represent a significant upgrade on the existing model. The cabin will be all-new and feature plusher materials and cutting-edge technology. The latest A-Class has already raised the bar for interior design and quality in its class – expect the next-gen GLA to do the same when it arrives in 2019.
A new version of Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system will be a fundamental element of the forthcoming GLA’s dashboard, and is likely to feature a redesigned version of the touchpad used to operate it. Larger digital displays and a simpler dash layout will help to give the cabin a sleek, modern look.
The next generation of semi-autonomous driving technology will be available to buyers of the new GLA, with certain features coming as standard and others available as options.
An exact price and release date have yet to be announced, but the all-new Mercedes GLA is expected some time during 2019 with a price tag of around £30,000.
Mercedes Singapore News
Mercedes is set to completely revamp its SUV range by 2020 and the new GLA, which will remain the firm’s smallest, least expensive SUV, will be a particularly important member of a new five-car SUV line-up.
Exclusive renders from our sister site Auto Express give an indication of what the new GLA will look like. While not a dramatic overhaul, the car does have new LED head and tail-lights, and benefits from an increase in width and wheelbase. Buyers can expect more passenger space as a result.
The new GLA will use turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines already seen in the A-Class and E-Class, and a range-topping AMG model with more than 400bhp is very likely.
While exterior changes will be relatively minor, the interior of the new GLA is set to represent a significant upgrade on the existing model. The cabin will be all-new and feature plusher materials and cutting-edge technology. The latest A-Class has already raised the bar for interior design and quality in its class – expect the next-gen GLA to do the same when it arrives in 2019.
A new version of Mercedes’ COMAND infotainment system will be a fundamental element of the forthcoming GLA’s dashboard, and is likely to feature a redesigned version of the touchpad used to operate it. Larger digital displays and a simpler dash layout will help to give the cabin a sleek, modern look.
The next generation of semi-autonomous driving technology will be available to buyers of the new GLA, with certain features coming as standard and others available as options.
An exact price and release date have yet to be announced, but the all-new Mercedes GLA is expected some time during 2019 with a price tag of around £30,000.
Mercedes Singapore News
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