By Christopher Tan
New hybrid in Singapore
Honda's new petrol-electric Insight, powered by a 1.3-litre 88bhp engine assisted by a 10.3kW electric motor, has been launched by parallel importer Hybrid Motors yesterday.
Authorised Honda agent Kah Motor is expected to bring in the hatchback in the second half of next year. Hybrid Motors' Insight is priced at $76,900, slightly cheaper than the $78,500 Civic Hybrid sold by Kah Motor.
Subaru Legacy unveiled
Subaru has unveiled its new Legacy at the recent New York Motor Show. Singapore will be getting two versions: a 2-litre non-turbo and a 2.5-litre turbo. It should be here by year-end.
First Kia Coupe
Kia has unveiled its first coupe. The Forte Koup EX is driven by a 2-litre 156bhp engine with continuously variable valve timing. There is also a 2.4-litre 173bhp SX version.
Transmission for the EX is a five- speed manual or a four-speed automatic, while the SX gets a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic with quick shift. The Koup is due here in August.
Civic Type R coming soon
Honda agent Kah Motor is likely to bring in the Japanese domestic version of the Civic Type R soon. The four-door version is likely to appeal to driving enthusiasts who need some practicality in their car. The export version Type R is a hatchback that is sexier but is short on versatility.
M Versions
BMW has launched M versions of its X5 and X6. Both powered by 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8s producing 555bhp at 6,000rpm, the cars leap from zero to 100kmh in 4.7 seconds.
That makes the two behemoths as quick as the critically acclaimed BMW M3. The X5 M and X6 M, courtesy of twin-scroll twin-turbo technology, are also capable of enormous pulling power.
Peak torque of 680Nm arrives at just 1,500rpm and is maintained right up to 5,650rpm.
Cute Citroen Mini MPV
Citroen's C3 Picasso, a funky cuboid mini MPV, is set to be a hit. The car boasts lots of cabin space, with a stowage that can be expanded to over 1,500 litres. Its engine is co-developed by BMW Group and the PSA-Peugeot Citroen group.
10 years to recover
Global vehicle numbers will not return to their 2007 peak of 71.9 million for more than a decade, says automotive analyst Graeme Maxton. Following the oil crisis in 1973, US car sales fell by 30 per cent and took 10 years to recover. After the market's next peak in 1986, they fell 23 per cent and took 13 years to recover.
In Japan, South America, South Korea and much of South-east Asia, sales volumes have been structurally transformed by recessions.
Japanese and South Korean sales have yet to return to their pre-crisis peaks. With the current recession expected to be deeper than in the 1970s and 1980s, the outlook for auto sales over the next 10 years is bleak.
"Many consumers have borrowed too much and are seeing the value of their homes evaporate," said Mr Maxton. "When the recovery comes, many will need to focus on rebuilding their savings before buying a new car."
The exceptions may be China and India, where sales are likely to remain strong.
First four-door Aston Martin
Aston Martin's four-door Rapide will be launched later this year. The car is powered by a 6-litre V12 producing 470bhp and 600Nm of torque.
The engine is hand-built at Aston Martin's engine plant in Cologne, Germany. It is mated to a "highly responsive" Touchtronic gearbox. Performance figures have yet to be revealed, although the car is expected to rival four-door sports cars such as Maserati's Quattroporte and Porsche's new Panamera.
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