Ultimate Five.
BMW has unveiled the M5 Competition Edition, its most powerful M model to date. It is also the F10 5 Series’ swansong, as its replacement (inset photo) will be launched before year-end.
The Competition Edition boasts 600bhp and 700Nm, or 25bhp and 20Nm more than the M5 Competition. The additional output enables the Competition Edition to crush the century sprint in just 3.9 seconds, a massive 0.3 of a second quicker than the M5 Competition.
This Munich missile’s enhanced performance comes from an increase in turbo boost pressure and modifications made to the 4.4-litre V8’s engine management system.
Helping this saloon stay planted are its 10mm lower ride height and firmer suspension setup. The car also comes with 20inch forged alloy wheels in staggered sizes as standard, but carbon-ceramic disc brakes, which would have improved stopping power, remain optional.
Production of the M5 Competition Edition is limited to 200 units, with half the cars painted in Carbon Black metallic and the other half in Mineral White metallic.
Heir To The Crown
The Toyota Crown is no longer used by taxi firms in Singapore, but it has remained in service as a cab in Japan since it was introduced in 1995.
The Crown, however, will have to relinquish its throne to its successor, the JPN Taxi, which will be launched next year. Because of its tall roof and hatchback bodystyle, it looks similar to a London taxicab.
However, unlike London cabs, the JPN Taxi will have sliding rear doors, to make it easier for passengers to board/ alight in crowded places.
And thanks to its low floor, most wheelchair-users will be able to wheel themselves in and out unassisted.
Toyota says that its new taxi is also eco-friendly. Its powertrain, which is still being developed, is a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system.
Serene Family Mover
Nissan’s all-new Serena is not only roomier, but also safer and more advanced than before.
It’s the first Japanese production car with an autonomous driving system. Called ProPILOT, said system keeps the vehicle within a lane while controlling its acceleration, braking and steering functions.
ProPILOT can bring the car to a halt, but requires the driver to either gently tap the accelerator pedal or press a button to reactivate the system.
Like its predecessor, the Serena is an eightseater multi-purpose vehicle with a “tall boy” bodystyle. To improve visibility for the driver, the latest model’s A-pillars and instrument panel have been made slimmer than before, while the equipment list includes features such as Around View Monitor and Smart Rearview Mirror.
Official agent Tan Chong Motor is working to bring the Serena to Singapore. Its main rival will be the Mazda Biante when it arrives.
“Prickly” Civic
Honda teamed up with Sega to create a one-ofa-kind Civic inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog. The car was displayed at the Comic-Con event in San Diego, California, two months ago.
The Sonic Civic, which is based on the Civic 1.5 Turbo, comes in a special blue hue, and features red and gold wheels representing Sonic’s red sneakers and the gold rings found in the games.
The car also has a full suite of Rockford Fosgate audio components and a 32-inch TV in the boot for fans to play classic Sonic games on. Now in its 25th year, Sonic the Hedgehog remains Sega’s most successful game franchise, and the anthropomorphic hedgehog is still the firm’s most well-known character.
The Sonic Civic’s performance, however, hasn’t been souped up. This is ironic, considering that in the games, Sonic the Hedgehog is endowed with blazing speed.
Dashing Threads
You don’t have to own an Aston Martin to look and feel like fictional spy James Bond.
But you can dress like him, thanks to Aston Martin’s collaboration with Hackett, a luxury menswear retailer, to create a 14-piece autumn/winter collection.
Dubbed Aston Martin by Hackett, said collection includes shirts, pants and knitwear. The items are available in Hackett stores and on www.hackett.com.
The continuing relationship between both brands began more than a decade ago when Hackett and Aston Martin Racing came together to create motorsport-inspired clothing and accessories.
Gilded Leaf
If you were an Olympic athlete and wanted instant recognition for the gold medals you won, driving around in one of these gold Leafs would definitely do the trick.
The only people driving around in gilded Leafs, however, are British athletes sponsored by Nissan UK. During the Rio 2016 Olympics, the carmaker announced that it would award a specially wrapped gold Leaf to any of its 16 ambassadors who won a gold medal. However, the catch was that multiple medals would not equal multiple cars.
It would have been great if one of the many car brands in Singapore were to present Joseph Schooling with a gold-wrapped car. But given how the reflective finish is a potential road hazard, LTA would probably ban it faster than he can swim the 100m butterfly.
