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| Golf R |
Photos taken at the car park of F1 pit building and Changi Terminal 3
April 28, 2010
April 26, 2010
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| Keith's Polo |
With numerous awards under her belt, the VW Polo rides high among the more desirable hatches at present.
First impressions
The Polo doesn't look like the base model VW at all. Its angular lines and relatively flared wheel arches provide a mean stance from whichever side you look from. Chrome bits in the front grill enhances its bling factor. Crystal clear headlights definitely stands out from other models competing in the compact hatch class. You can notice that the Polo took some of its styling cues from the mk6 Golf. Its front lip reminds me of those on the Golf R. I'd dare say that the lip looks like an aftermarket product.
Once settled down
VW did not cut down on the quality of the Polo's interior. Everything, right down to the handbrake, feels typically German. Front driver and passenger have ample space and one wouldn't feel claustrophobic in it. Sterring wheel stitching is top notch and the instrument cluster is simple and easy to comprehend, allowing the driver to focus on the road most of the time. I was rather impressed with the digital fuel readout right smack in the middle of the driver's display. Its small improvements like these that goes a long way to winning a potential buyers' heart.
VW's DNA
VW's 1.4 engine has proven to be ultra efficient. Step on the throttle and the gearbox and ECU will adapt to the driver's driving style. Mated to the 7 speed dsg found in the 122hp mk6 Golf as well, the lightning quick shifts will prove a joy to drive in places with heavier traffic as compared to the older torque converter gearboxes.
Overall
VW knows whats best for their customers. Every car is built to appeal to different segments. The zippy Polo can very well thrive in congested Singapore.
April 25, 2010
April 24, 2010
WEIGHT>PERFORMANCE?
Best Motoring International provides one of my favourite series of car comparison. It may not be that accurate due to skills of different drivers, but they are still professionals who have a supreme knowledge of performance cars.
I am particularly impressed with acceleration of the Lotus Exige Cup 260. Be amazed at how it weaves past other cars with ease. You can see how the Cayman S and M3 struggle against the more track focused Lotus and Scooby Spec C. Even Drift King Tsuchiya can't do much to salvage some pride for Munich's M3
I am particularly impressed with acceleration of the Lotus Exige Cup 260. Be amazed at how it weaves past other cars with ease. You can see how the Cayman S and M3 struggle against the more track focused Lotus and Scooby Spec C. Even Drift King Tsuchiya can't do much to salvage some pride for Munich's M3
April 18, 2010
FWD FTW
Front wheel driven cars may not be that planted around bends due to the lack of grip, but the hefty weight being shaved off from the 4 wheel drive drivetrain allow the car to be more nippy around bends.
Wheelspin is not always bad. =) It can provide thrill, in a safe environment of course.
April 16, 2010
Tornado Reds
GeoTagged, [N1.32330, W103.92126]
The organiser lined up red golfs (6 of them) once the candy whites settled down. Imo a gti looks best in red. A pity vcs do not have stock for this colour when we purchased it.
Red amplifies the curvature of the golf very well, especially the front fenders and wheel arch.
Match it with gunmetal bbs, bbk and coilovers if u want your ride to be a head turner.
April 15, 2010
Snow Whites
We lined up our beloved rides according to colours, starting with candy white.
Osir car takes the lead and flanked by jeff's rhommel stage 2 on the right and ray's Giac stage 1 on the left.
Weather was more kind to us during the photoshoot.
Cars did not look at their best due to the downpour early in the morning. Nevertheless, some wiped their ride dry before this rare photoshoot.
April 14, 2010
What a wonderful world
Waking up early in the morning had never been so good.
Took a slow drive to my friends house on the 10th of April and met up with 4 others along the way. Convoyed to Dempsey from holland.
Weather was bad but didn't deter us from discussing our favourite common topic. Exchanged a few pointers and poisoned myself along the way. Not good.
This picture was taken by a photographer with a huge interest in cars.
Went on a massive convoy (30+ golfs) down orchard through nicoll highway and stopped at kallang. Never seen so many mkv parked side by side before.
Will post more about the gtg soon
April 10, 2010
Turbobacks
Have a look at this video
APR's 3" turboback system for the mk6 GTi has finally been developed. Sounds great from a distance. But what I'm impressed with in this video is the sound of the stock exhaust system. Although it doesn't sound as meaty, it's louder than other stock cars in a civilized manner. Gear shifts are distinct and wind down the window if you want to amplify it.
I'm not one that can take exhaust drones. It sounds really good, but not suitable for my current start-top driving conditions.
Turbobacks give awesome high end torque due to the 3" pipe as compared to stock's 2.5" thus releasing more exhaust back pressure: crucial for optimizing the turbo's ability. Unfortunately, they are illegal here in Singapore. You can add only a downpipe, but yes, they are also not legal. :(
APR's 3" turboback system for the mk6 GTi has finally been developed. Sounds great from a distance. But what I'm impressed with in this video is the sound of the stock exhaust system. Although it doesn't sound as meaty, it's louder than other stock cars in a civilized manner. Gear shifts are distinct and wind down the window if you want to amplify it.
I'm not one that can take exhaust drones. It sounds really good, but not suitable for my current start-top driving conditions.
Turbobacks give awesome high end torque due to the 3" pipe as compared to stock's 2.5" thus releasing more exhaust back pressure: crucial for optimizing the turbo's ability. Unfortunately, they are illegal here in Singapore. You can add only a downpipe, but yes, they are also not legal. :(
April 6, 2010
The Mod Bug
Modification is a very subjective word.
Some feel that extensive modifications will bring the best out of your ride, while others tune their machines according to road/driving conditions.
Some want to install the best aftermarket products there is to offer, while others will still go for them but make their purchases selectively according to their needs.
Some feel that the game of modification is all about gaining as much ponies as possible out from your precious, while others want their ride to be powerful yet enjoyable to achieve daily drivability.
Some feel that 10% of adrenaline in the car is enough to make their day, while others want to feel relaxed 90% of the time.
I've learned that its not much you modify, it's what kind of products you put into the car that make it so enjoyable. It's all about altering your setup for the road condition.
No point installing coilovers if you are living in a place full of start stop traffic with countless potholes.
No point going for high horsepower when you can't fully utilise the higher rev range.
No point aiming for high end torque when you see a traffic light in front of you most of the time.
These will change of course if you are aiming to hit the track every now and then.
2centsworth
Some feel that extensive modifications will bring the best out of your ride, while others tune their machines according to road/driving conditions.
Some want to install the best aftermarket products there is to offer, while others will still go for them but make their purchases selectively according to their needs.
Some feel that the game of modification is all about gaining as much ponies as possible out from your precious, while others want their ride to be powerful yet enjoyable to achieve daily drivability.
Some feel that 10% of adrenaline in the car is enough to make their day, while others want to feel relaxed 90% of the time.
I've learned that its not much you modify, it's what kind of products you put into the car that make it so enjoyable. It's all about altering your setup for the road condition.
No point installing coilovers if you are living in a place full of start stop traffic with countless potholes.
No point going for high horsepower when you can't fully utilise the higher rev range.
No point aiming for high end torque when you see a traffic light in front of you most of the time.
These will change of course if you are aiming to hit the track every now and then.
2centsworth
April 4, 2010
Mod like there's no Tomorrow, the AMS way
The boys from AMS performance well know how to extract the most out of the Pride Of Japan.
Achieving a sub 10 sec in the quarter mile drag, AMS Performance's GTR pumps out a mind blowing 764bhp on the dyno.
Hear the V6 grunt followed by the twin turbo whistle and you will know that this car has some power under that bonnet.
An increase of 280+ bhp, up from the stock 485, is simply astonishing.
They are not new to the tuning world, as more petrolheads will relate AMS to their venerable Time Attack Evos. Yes, there is a JDM following in the States, and its not all muscle in the West.
These 700+bhp Evos are a true work of art.
Photos courtesy of AMS
Achieving a sub 10 sec in the quarter mile drag, AMS Performance's GTR pumps out a mind blowing 764bhp on the dyno.
Hear the V6 grunt followed by the twin turbo whistle and you will know that this car has some power under that bonnet.
An increase of 280+ bhp, up from the stock 485, is simply astonishing.
They are not new to the tuning world, as more petrolheads will relate AMS to their venerable Time Attack Evos. Yes, there is a JDM following in the States, and its not all muscle in the West.
These 700+bhp Evos are a true work of art.
Photos courtesy of AMS
Audi's Tiny Terror
When a TT drives past, u will see pedestrians staring with envy at this chick magnet. No doubt it will turn heads, but will a man feel good getting out of the car when parked outside the hotel with countless stares? IMO, the TT is more appropriate for the fairer sex. it's curves give the car a sexy stance, rather than a muscular look.
Would I like to drive a TT if money is of no issue? I would love to, but subconsciously, there's this desire in me to enjoy the rawness of a well tuned jdm. German engineering is awesome, but sometimes being too refined mutes pure driving pleasure, which is what a jdm can boast of.
A black Evo X with gunmetal advan rs and hks turboback ftw.
April 2, 2010
Stay Focused
With only 500 cars to be produced, the Ford Focus RS 500 is as desirable and limited as Subaru's S203 and S204.
Boasting a mind whopping 350bhp in stock form, it propels from o to 100kmh in just 5.6 seconds.
There are only a few cars they look awesome in matte black finish, and this is included in the list.
Boasting a mind whopping 350bhp in stock form, it propels from o to 100kmh in just 5.6 seconds.
There are only a few cars they look awesome in matte black finish, and this is included in the list.
Can the baby keep up with her Supercar dad?
I've long wanted to see a match up between Audi's R8 V10 Supercar and the top of the range TT RS.
The Gallardo-sourced V10 engine pumps out a whopping 535 bhp as compared to 340 in the highly desirable TT RS.
Autocar took both cars round the twisty bends and most would have written off the TT RS based on pure horsepower disadvantage.
The R8, with its mid engine layout, had no problem tackling the curves and it remained poised thanks to its Quattro drivetrain. Understeer was felt in the TT RS, even with the presence of Quattro, possibly due to its less balanced weight distribution as a result of its front mounted engine layout. The TT has been notorious for their lack of steering feel and that is where this baby monster loses out in terms of assurance and confidence round sweeping bends.
I know I shouldn't touch on practicality during this comparison but sometimes, there is a need to lug those shopping bags around and look cool putting them in the car as well. The TT RS coupe, with its 2+2 seater layout provides space for the spanking new branded bag and shoe during a casual Sunday shopping stroll. The R8, however, can only store stuff under the front bonnet, out of reach from the girlfriend who can't stop molesting her new purchases.
No doubt the R8 will turn more heads, but will you have a complete experience with the car the moment you sit in it? IMO, the TT RS will provide an equal amount of driving pleasure and satisfaction in Singapore based solely on the fact that you can't maximise the potential of that roaring V10 centimeters behind you when seated in the R8.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Vorsprung Durch Technik
The Gallardo-sourced V10 engine pumps out a whopping 535 bhp as compared to 340 in the highly desirable TT RS.
Autocar took both cars round the twisty bends and most would have written off the TT RS based on pure horsepower disadvantage.
The R8, with its mid engine layout, had no problem tackling the curves and it remained poised thanks to its Quattro drivetrain. Understeer was felt in the TT RS, even with the presence of Quattro, possibly due to its less balanced weight distribution as a result of its front mounted engine layout. The TT has been notorious for their lack of steering feel and that is where this baby monster loses out in terms of assurance and confidence round sweeping bends.
I know I shouldn't touch on practicality during this comparison but sometimes, there is a need to lug those shopping bags around and look cool putting them in the car as well. The TT RS coupe, with its 2+2 seater layout provides space for the spanking new branded bag and shoe during a casual Sunday shopping stroll. The R8, however, can only store stuff under the front bonnet, out of reach from the girlfriend who can't stop molesting her new purchases.
No doubt the R8 will turn more heads, but will you have a complete experience with the car the moment you sit in it? IMO, the TT RS will provide an equal amount of driving pleasure and satisfaction in Singapore based solely on the fact that you can't maximise the potential of that roaring V10 centimeters behind you when seated in the R8.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Vorsprung Durch Technik
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