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158 Golf Vacations Dec 2013 - Feb 2014 Dec 2013 - Feb 2014 Golf Vacations 159
Silent Knight,
Holy Ride!
We take a look at 2013’s prized possessions from some of the most desired car brands.
By Gerald Koh
Price Not known at press time
Engine 4.6-litre V8, 455bhp,
torque 620NM
0-100kmh 4.8 secs
Top speed 250km/h
Price Not known at press time
Engine 3.5-litre V6, 306bhp, torque 350NM
0-100kmh 5.5 secs
Top speed N.A
Price $335,050
Engine 3.0-litre V6, 354bhp, torque 470NM
0-100kmh 5.3 secs
Top speed 250 km/h
Mercedes-Benz
S500
The Maybach – Mercedes-Benz’s
ultra-luxury model with fittings
akin to a Gulfstream private jet
– was sadly never profitable for
the company, and production
ceased earlier this year. The
newly launched S-class thus
has large shoes to fill because it
needs to somewhat cover the
void that the Maybach has left.
But we could always count on
Mercedes-Benz to deliver top
notch luxury into its flagship
limousine line up.
The latest Mercedes-Benz
S500 does not just pamper its
rear seat occupants with its
massage seat that allows recline
up to 43.5 degrees, but also
delivers a spirited drive to the
privileged one behind its wheel.
So you would be as eager to
be in the front seat as much as
the rear, because not many cars
can do the century sprint in 4.8
seconds, much less a limousine
that offers even more space
than that of its already roomy
predecessor. Some novel features
worth highlighting include the
perfuming system that ensures
a fragrant cabin at all times,
156 buttons and switches in its
cockpit, and a huge 12.3 inch
TFT driver’s display screen.
Infiniti Q50 3.5L Hybrid
There are high hopes for Infiniti’s Q50 to give
segment rivals BMW 3 series and Audi A4 a
good run for their money, especially when it is a
car whose development Sebastian Vettel has had
a hand in shaping. Replacing the Q37, the Q50
embodies signature stylish Japanese contours,
an athletic disposition with its low stance and
wide proportions, and premium interior finishes
that even the German makers would take notice
of. In addition to the next generation Studio
on Wheels by Bose audio system, the Q50 also
offers Infiniti’s new InTouch communications
system where you can easily access vehicle
information on one screen while keeping other
salient information on another through its large
dual touch screen display set up. The 3.5 litres
hybrid version will appear on our shores in the
second quarter of 2014. It comes equipped
with Active Lane Control, a sophisticated
technology to manage the car’s steering to
prevent you from drifting out of the lane, and a
power plant capable of 306 bhp and a whopping
5.5 seconds 0-100km/h acceleration.
Audi SQ5
Realistically speaking, we will never need a
SUV that can do the race to 100km/h in 5.3
seconds, nor can we even imagine packing
the family in for a hair raising experience at
250km/h. Then again, who really uses a SUV
to run through rough terrains like what it
was made for anyway? So why not one with
a 3-litre V6 supercharge gasoline engine with
354bhp of power, allowing you to drive it
like a beast when the kids are at school. To
the undiscerning, the Audi SQ5 may look
like just any other Q5, but its 30mm lower
setup, 20 inch wheels and the SQ5 badge
on the brake callipers are subtle signs that
this is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Inside, gray
dials and white numerals are featured on the
instruments along with aluminium-finished
pedals. And with that platinum gray radiator
grille, you are immediately blessed with the
swagger that attracts the worship of lesser
road mortals.
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2. Price $325,800
Engine 3.0-litre straight 6, 306bhp,
torque 400NM
0-100kmh 5.1 secs
Top speed 250 km/h
BMW 435i
However much a lady is awed by the
beauty of a supermodel in her midst, there
is always some envy. Just like how the
motoring world stops and stares, jealous
but dazzled, with BMW's gorgeous 4
series coupe. The 4 series - essentially
the replacement of the 3 series coupe -
stands lower, longer and wider than its
predecessor, characterised by a large air
intake in the front apron. Powered by a
twin turbo 3-litre engine, the 435i clocks
5.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h dash
by churning out 306bhp of power and
400NM of torque. Its centre of gravity is
even lower than that of the outgoing M3
coupe, assuring you of nothing but the
best road holding and agility that is now
synonymous with BMW coupes.
Price $1.19 M
Engine 4.5-litre V8, 605bhp, torque 540NM
0-100kmh 3.0 secs
Top speed 325 km/h
Ferrari 458 Speciale
It is typical that the same golf club can
come in different variants – the ones given
the “Tour” moniker boasts of superior
specifications that will help optimise
playability for a better golfer. The Ferrari
458 Speciale is a little like that. You can
think of it as the overachiever to the
already fabulous 458 Italia, except that
everyone – not just race drivers – can
derive senseless pleasure from this track-
worthy car. The the 458 Speciale sheds
off 90kg from the 458 Italia, gets a more
edgy 7-speed dual clutch transmission
that shifts quicker, and a new mid-rear
4.5-litre engine – Ferrari’s most powerful
naturally aspirated V8 ever, rocketing
this beast from standstill to 100km/h
in 3 seconds flat. Oozing 605bhp from
under its bonnet, everything else about
this car shouts performance, especially
noticeable by its front and rear movable
aerodynamics which balance down
force and cut drag to become the most
aerodynamic production car in Ferrari’s
history.
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3. Price $850,000 (excluding COE and options)
Engine 6.0-litre W12, 616bhp, torque
800NM
0-100kmh 4.6 secs
Top speed 322 km/h
Bentley Flying Spur
Not that anyone would want to make
a speedy entrance in a Bentley, because
arriving in one is already making a huge
statement. But with the new Flying Spur -
Bentley's most powerful four door model
ever - you are pampered with an even more
effortless yet engaging drive, in addition
to unrivalled luxury. 600 new parts
distinguish this Flying Spur from that
of the previous generation, including an
infotainment system that features the car's
own Wi-Fi hotspot and 64GB of storage
capacity. Impeccable finishes adorn the
plush interior, where handcrafted veneers
from sustainably sourced natural wood
are tastefully employed. The 6-litre W12
twin turbo engine, capable of developing
616bhp and 800NM of torque is truly just
the icing on the cake.
Price $1.1 M
Engine 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbocharged,
616bhp, torque 600NM
0-100kmh 3.1 secs
Top speed 328 km/h
McLaren 12C Spider
Over 40 cars have been put onto our
roads since McLaren’s entrance into
Singapore early last year with the 12C
Coupe. For an additional $100,000, you
will get a race-pedigree car to go topless,
undoubtedly earning you lecherous
stares when you arrive in the sexy 2013
12C Spider. And when you are tired of
messing up your hairdo, simply activate
the retractable hardtop which tucks
itself under a tonneau in 17 seconds. The
12C Spider’s engine has been tuned up
to 616bhp, 23bhp more than the coupe
that was introduced last year. It also gets
smoother and quicker shifts through an
updated 7-speed automated dual-clutch
manual gearbox. Inside, a reprogrammed
audio system offers wider base and treble
settings; not that this matters much
because the only real music you will relish
is from the 3.8-litre V8 twin turbos,
regardless of whether you are negotiating
her precisely through tight corners or
working her furiously down the straights.
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162 Golf Vacations Dec 2013 - Feb 2014
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