FN2R Honda Civic Type R: Revised!

At first glance, one can't quite put their finger on the exact part lacking from the Euro Civic Type R...

Well, after applying 'Type R' stickers on the flanks and contrasting Honda Access front and rear under-skirtings for the car, we can say it's looking a lot more complete!







p.s. pictures SUCK because my trusty K800i has packed it in. the K618i is my temporary snapshooter.

driving it around a little more, we found that the FN2R puts on speed at a deceptive pace, with a rather linear mode of power delivery, which could also explain the slightly less obtrusive 'shove' when you hit 'tec. moreover, the cabin insulation helps numb the sensation of speed. check the speedo and it's not uncommon to find out you're actually cruising at >100km/h!

So it's probably a good thing the FN2R allows you to set a speed warning alert to ensure you don't inadvertently fall foul of the long arm of the law... and the law really has a long arm nowadays!

these are the 'before' pictures of the FN2R:
http://m0t0rhead.blogspot.com/2007/05/final-countdown-is-over-honda-civic.html

Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Now You C It...

the good folks at daimlerchrysler (soon to be Daimler) were kind enough to invite the whole bunch of us to a press preview of the new C-Class ahead of its public appearance.

With tea-time refreshments and a host of therapeutic spa/wellness treatments at 'Home@Dempsey' in between drives, the afternoon session was a relaxing one indeed (an idyllic oasis amidst a hectic week), especially since a range of models was available: C200, C280 and our favourite, the C350...

the new chassis is pleasantly rigid and body control is leagues ahead of its predecessor. however, the earlier car seemed lighter on its feet, especially in C200 guise.



the new C-Class looks just like a mini S-Class, with a chiselled front grille, dynamic stance and distinctive rear-end. during the test drive, an avid fan in a BMW 523i zipped around the car to get a better view and ultimately gave us the 'thumbs-up' before he roared off.



we managed to execute some pretty sideways action with the ESP turned off on the C350... warning, not to be attempted on public roads... trained driver on closed circuit! lol

Bellisimo: Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Q4

yumm...



this sexy bottom never fails to catch the eye of passers-by. A collaboration between Giorgetto Giugario and the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, the Brera's sharply cut lines and distinctive styling set the car apart from the rest of the coupe hatch-back herd. The exposed individual headlights endow the car with an almost nostalgic air.

Day:


Night:


Don't worry though, it's purely aesthetics and the Brera doesn't inherit any of the mechanical and reliability gremlins that plagued early Alfa Romeo cars. And who can forget the sexy 18-inch telephone dial alloy rims:


The cabin is tastefully done-up in contrasting reddish brown-bruisey blue, a colour combination that would look gauche in any other car except another italian. it's a cosy place to be in, with a surprisingly comfortable driving position (gone are the days of the classic italian ape driving position) and both front seats feature electric adjustment.


The Brera is better-off in 2-seater guise since the rear +2 seats are pretty much useless for adult AND child passengers, even with average height front occupants.


There's even a gorgeous full length panoramic glass roof, which really adds to the Brera's lifestyle cachet. Xenon HID headlights, dual-zone climate control and a factory hi-fi are the other premium amenities.

Pushed hard, the 3.2L V6 at the heart of the Brera feels woefully underpowered, probably due to the extra weight of the Q4 (Quadrifoglio) permanent four-wheel drivetrain, but true to Alfa form, sounds wonderful as it works its way up the rev band. The engine and exhaust aural experience give one the impression the car is travelling faster than it really is.


the suspension and chassis are nicely supported to help the Brera go as well as it 'shows'. ride over poor roads isn't even as crashy as the earlier cars. the steering is nicely weighted and decently communicative (2.25 turns lock to lock, 10.7m turning circle). the brakes though, even with the Brembo front callipers feel wooden and don't inspire much confidence but they're adequate to bring the car to a standstill with a hard stomp.

The 2.2L featured a lacklustre 6-speed manual box, but the Q-Tronic automatic in this 3.2L is nicely matched to the car's character, although there's a discernible transmission shunt when the car slows down to a standstill and the gearbox drops to 1st gear. In Tiptronic-style override mode, the box shifts slickly and quickly, a big change from the brand's infamous Q-system of earlier cars.



Fast Facts: Alfa Romeo Brera 3.2 V6 Q4
Engine: 3195cc, 24-valves V6
Maximum power: 260bhp at 6300rpm
Maximum torque: 322Nm at 4500rpm
Transmission: Q-Tronic automatic
0-100km/h: 7 seconds
Top speed: 240km/h
LxBxH: 4413x1830x1341mm
Wheelbase: 2525 mm
Kerbweight: 1630kg
Price: $195,800 (with COE)
Agent: EuroAutomobile Pte. Ltd.

Civic Minded : FN2r Honda Civic Type R

driven back to back with the JDM FD2R, the first thing that strikes us is how hard-edged the jdm car is compared to the euro-hatch, particularly when u hit 'tec. however, there's a more generous spread of torque below that point, which makes the FN2r easier to drive slowly around and live with on a daily basis.

also the ride is pliant and not as uncompromising as the JDM, a fact rear occupants will appreciate since their fillings arent likely to be shaken loose over poorly patched roads. like the Golf GTI, the euro-hatch type R is a hot hatch for grown ups, who like the daily useability yet the car's ability to spend the occasional weekend at the track.

the brakes though feel spongy compared to the JDM's brembo binders, but there's an easy solution to that... :)

and for aftermarket bolt-ons, try: http://www.jasmotorsport.com/

i believe it's been a long time since anybody has applied the word 'livable' to a Type R...

Final Countdown is Over: Honda Civic Type R (FN2R)

well, now that the Euro Civic Type R has finally been registered, i guess it's time to take it for a ahem, spin.

before that, a few more pictures (for those who may have forgotten what the hatch looks like LOL):

front:


back:


side:


Yes, the 'Type R' decals are missing on the car's flanks but i'm told they can be ordered as a cost option for the car. after all, wat's a Type R without them?

more here:
http://m0t0rhead.blogspot.com/2007/04/c-t-hero-honda-civic-type-r-fn2.html

http://m0t0rhead.blogspot.com/2007/04/final-countdown-honda-civic-type-r-fn2.html

Thinking Man's GTI? : VW Golf GT

Well, the long awaited GT is finally here, with that trick twincharger TSI 1390cc engine under its bonnet. For the ignorant, it's got a compressor-type supercharger AND a turbocharger working in tandem to deliver optimum performance.



But don't be mistaken into thinking this is a substitute for the GTI, since the performance figures aren't too far off from its hotter brother, which coupled to its lighter weight, should produce some fireworks. The GT's kerbweight is 1293kg vs the GTI's 1347kg. Unfortunately, when push comes to shove, it's just not as focused nor as keen a drive as the GTI.


Moreover, the alloy wheel design is a tad underwhelming and there's just not enough going on style-wise to give the GT that added oomph factor all 'hot' hatches should have. No HIDs, no moonroof are just a few of the other differences.

Brake feel is strong but if you like driving hard, you'll quickly realise this is one thirsty car. Driven on a light to moderate throttle, mixed consumption figures as good as 7.2L/100km can be achieved. With a lead foot, expect the car to return >12km/L in urban driving. You DO however get a little boost gauge that is nestled snugly in the instrument binnacle



DSG also means one other thing: Launch Control! Like the GTI, the front wheels aren't adequate enough to cope with the amount of torque so you do wheel-spin a little in place before the car shoots off:



Fast Facts: VW Golf GT
Engine: 1390cc, 16-valves, in-line 4, twincharger
Maximum power: 170bhp at 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 240Nm at 1750-4500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed DSG
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 220km/h
LxBxH: 4204 x 1759 x 1479 mm
Wheelbase: 2578mm
Kerbweight: 1293kg
Agent: Volkswagen Group Singapore

Lucky Number: Audi S8

oh well, this week has been a whirlwind of work so this entry is probably a little late in coming...

after the drive of the A5/S5 in Verona, we took a short stopover in Munich for 3 other interesting cars:

view just outside the airport



This group of new Q7 turbodiesels was lined up outside the Audi Forum, but those weren't the cars we were going to be driving...



With a S4, S3 and S8 to pick from... and a bumpy flight from Verona we decided to sample the S8, a luxurious and comfortable continent crusher that would give the Bentley Continental GT / Flying Spur a run for its money

oh, and did we mention it has the Lamborghini Gallardo V10 engine under its bonnet? :)
Listen to that start-up... mechanical whir of the starter before it rumbles to life


Audi being Audi, the clues are few, far between and very discreet!
badges:




Carbon fibre on the inside! YUMMY!



Audi's version of BMW's Dynamic Drive lets you adjust the suspension to suit one's comfort and driving style:


In all suspension settings, the car's ride proves to be wonderfully sorted, firm and pliant, but offers excellent body control... Not that we were planning on punting the S8 hard down narrow country lanes of course! This is a huuuge car, but oddly enough, the lower belt-line meant it was surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, even in tight quarters (compared to the A5 even!)

With the cabin insulation, the V10 is disappointingly muted but we're told it sounds absolutely musical from the outside.

The ceramic brakes offer prodigious stopping force that is more than sufficient to rein in this behemoth from the warp speeds the S8 is capable of hitting.


Fast Facts: Audi S8 quattro
Engine: 5204cc, 40-valves, V10
Maximum power: 450bhp at 7000rpm
Maximum torque: 540Nm at 3500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 248k/h (electronically governed)
LxBxH: 5062 x 1897 x 1424mm
Wheelbase: 2944mm
Kerb-weight: 1940kg
Agent: Premium Automobiles

Blast from the Past: Audi Ur-quattro

and here's a little something we spotted along the way...



this is the great-great grand-daddy of today's A5 and it still looks good!

Audi's Coupe de'tat: Audi A5 / S5 Part III

First thing we see when we enter the room:


yummy chocolate macaroons and a model car of the A5... pity about the colour though

we pick up our press kits and route books at this creatively designed counter:


new key design for Audi, certain models can be specc'd with full keyless operation:



and the test cars...a mix of A5 3.2q / 3.2 / S5 variants

these cars have the phat stance, aggressive snouts and little addenda to set them apart from the rest of the neighbourhood hoodlums. the only thing is we all saw different bits of other cars in the design of the A5 / S5. Elements from the Bentley Continental GT, BMW 3-series and even Aston Martin could be spotted in the sleek aesthetics of the car.

The A5 is the first in Audi's line-up to be based on this new platform.



the ignition button:


gear-lever:


and rev counter (note the low red-line):


Predictably enough, being the hardnosed petrol-heads that we are, our quick bee-line was for the S5. :)



thumb the ignition button and the S5 awakens to an idling rumble. however, cabin insulation is so good you hardly hear any of its addictive V8 symphony.

So to really appreciate the guttural exhaust note and mechanical rasp, one needs to stand by the treacherous twisties of the mountainous roadside as the 'test-pilot' hurtles around switchbacks and straights with reckless abandon! LOL

the ride is firm, gosh, but never crashy even when we alternated between the 18- and19-inch rim options. clutch operation is heavy and this is a car that excels in the low to mid-range but runs quickly out of puff at 7000rpm. Smooth shifts are best executed leisurely, since this gear-box does not like to be rushed.

the S5 is effortlessly fast, even deceptively so to a certain extent, but it never feels special or raw in the same way as a RS 4, with steering that is disappointingly inert for a car with such sporty pretensions.

The quattro drive offers abundance of grip and it's unlikely you'll ever breach its limits unless you're really manhandling the controls. The brakes are stupendous and can be hammered repeatedly without them ever throwing in the towel.

The A5 / S5 are intended to be direct rivals to BMW's 3-series Coupes but personally speaking, the Bavarian propeller offers more driving high-jinks as an overall package. the A5 excels only in quattro guise and the 3.2q is a great all-rounded bundle in terms of driving thrills for those who may balk at bridging the S5's price gap and may want something more than a 325i.

So it's easy to see the appeal this pose-worthy car will have for a driver who may enjoy something different from the usual blue-white roundel and isnt looking for something that requires a hard thrashing during his everyday commute.

The car is expected to arrive in Singapore only in 2008, so there's plenty of time to start feeding the piggie bank!



p.s. this was not shot with the phone. i actually do work occasionally too LOL

Fast Facts: Audi S5
Engine: 4163cc, 32-valves, V8
Maximum power: 354bhp at 7000rpm
Maximum torque: 440Nm at 3500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
0-100km/h: 5.1 seconds
Top speed: 248km/h
LxBxH: 4635 x 1854 x 1369 mm
Wheelbase: 2751mm
Agent: Premium Automobiles

Audi's Coupe de'tat: Audi A5/S5 part II

well, the next morning saw the same fleet of sleek A8Ls' waiting in the square (Piazza Santa Anastassia) to 'transport' us from the city of Verona to the chic Byblos Hotel (full name: Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista) for the A5 / S5 drive:


Some random pix snapped around the hotel. yes this is the same 'Byblos' fashion house but i guess the fashion business should really be taking a back-seat to their hospitality arm... which i must say really rocks!

the approach up the long driveway:


the view from the other side of the fountain:


lobby area (check out the cheeky murals):


bedroom:


corridor opens to this common area:


next up, the cars!