Hailing from Japan, the new Subaru Forester e-Boxer - a hybrid version of the fifth-generation sport utility vehicle, was unveiled during the show with a slightly de-tuned naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre direct-injected flat-four boxer engine.
The electric motor is able to help the e-Boxer get going for a short distance before the engine takes over and is also able to supplement the engine when more performance is needed.
Power is sent to the e-Boxer’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system via a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with X-Mode and SE Drive modes.
For differentiation, the hybrid variant of the Forester gets fitted with the e-Boxer badges and that’s about it while rolling on a set of 18-inch wheels.
Everything else in the looks department is pretty much status quo - even when taking a peek inside the leather upholstered cabin that’s been equipped with a sunroof, powered seats with driver memory function, 8.0-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate controls and the Japanese carmaker’s Eyesight active driver aids to name a few.
Looking closer and the centre display is now dedicated to showing the hybrid system’s flow of energy, which includes power being sent to the wheels by the electric motor, engine or both as well as to the battery when it is being recharged.
However, according to Tan Chong International managing director Glenn Tan, it is unlikely that the e-Boxer will be joining the Forester lineup - which is expected to arrive in Malaysia in the third quarter this year, during an interview following its unveiling.
Also on display, after having arrived from Munich, Germany, was the highly anticipated all-new BMW 3-Series (G20) with a 330i badge and dressed up in the M Sport Package that has been coated in Portimao Blue. The cabin receives Vernasca Cognac leather upholstery with black contrast stitching.
The G20 is due to arrive in Singapore sometime this year and will feature larger front air intakes that doubles as a home for the fog lights while redirecting air to cool the blue M Sport brakes that have been obscured by the 19-inch lightweight style 791 bi-colour five double-spoke M wheels.
With a 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as its heart, the G20 is able to accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 5.8 seconds and onwards to an electronically limited top speed of 250kph thanks to the power output figures of 258hp at 5,000rpm and 400Nm of torque from 1,550 to 4,400rpm.
It comes equipped with an adaptive M suspension system, sport leather steering wheel, eight-speed automatic from ZF, electronic parking brake, new 10.25-inch iDrive screen with navigation, aluminium Tetragon interior trim, powered seats and a 12.3-inch BMW Live Cockpit instrument cluster as well as adaptive cruise control to name a few.
Another popular showcase was the latest Mazda3 sedan that’s due to arrive in Singapore sometime in the second half of this year with its all new design and infused with greater amounts of that ‘jinba ittai’ (horse and rider as one) feel when driving.
The Mazda3 in mention arrived in Singapore from last year’s LA Auto Show and hence, sports US specifications that include the SkyActiv-G 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels wearing (like the rear as well) 215/45 series tyres.
The body (measuring in at 4,662mm-long, 1,797mm-wide and 1,455mm-tall, has the Japanese carmaker’s latest ‘Kodo’ (soul of motion) design language integrated into its a coupe-like side profile (long nose, short rear) and is suspended by front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam combination.
To go along with the new design is an enlarged front grille, slimmer LED headlights with daytime runners, newly designed rear light clusters, and rear protruding badge that incorporates the release button beneath it to give access to the larger boot.
Other than that, the new Mazda3 is almost status quo for the cabin, but there is a larger more sophisticated looking display on the redesigned dashboard with the buttons and controls feeling more ergonomic, intuitive and somewhat ‘Germanic’.
More importantly, the extra dimensions have given the car more room than its predecessor with improvements to the cabin’s spaciousness and more rear passenger knee room.
Mazda says that the new ’3’ rides on its next-generation SkyActiv-Vehicle architecture that helps to dramatically enhance the car’s fundamental driving attributes.
In addition, sound absorbing material was used throughout to further enhance its ‘high-quality quietness’.
From Wolfsburg, Germany the Volkswagen camp had on display its Polo (Mk6) beats Edition that came with a price tag with COE of SGD$100,900 (RM303,000), which is SGD$8,500 (RM26,000) more than the standard Polo at SGD$92,400 (RM278,000).
The Polo beats features a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that manages a turbocharged 1.0-litre (999cc) TSI direct-injected three-cylinder engine producing 115PS from 5,000 to 5,500rpm and 200Nm of torque from 2,000 to 3,500rpm.
This allows the front-wheel driven hatch with a 40-litre fuel tank to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 9.5 seconds, travel at a top speed of 200kph and consume 4.9-litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
Fittings include 16-inch wheels with 195/55 series tyres, LEDs (for the automatic front, rear and daytime running lights), panoramic sunroof, power adjustable and folding external mirrors, keyless entry with push-start button, dual-zone climate controls, paddle-shifters, 10.25-inch active information display, and of course a Beats Audio six-speaker (and woofer) sound system.
Inside, the cabin gets Velvet Red decorative inserts, ‘Tracks’ fabric seat upholstery and an eight-inch colour touchscreen, while six airbags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist, electronic stability programme with anti-slip regulator, driver steering recommendation, electronic differential lock with electronic drag torque control, ‘Rest Assist’ fatigue detection system and auto-dimming rear view mirror takes care of safety.
As for the Tiguan, this mid-sized sport utility vehicle is seen here as the range-topping 2.0 R-Line Black Edition priced with COE at SGD$193,400 (RM580,000) which sits above the mid-range 1.4 HL at SGD148,400 (RM445,000) and the entry-level 1.4 CL at SGD$137,400 (RM412,000).
The Black Edition uses the more powerful 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged engine producing 220PS from 4,500 to 6,200rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,400rpm and managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch (DSG) transmission to manage power delivery to the 4MOTION permanent all-wheel drive system.
It also wears larger 19-inch (+1-inch) gloss black alloys with 255/45 series tyres and sports LEDs for the front, rear, fogs and daytime runners, as well as a panoramic sunroof, black roof rails, powered tailgate, rear spoiler and a Black Edition R-Line body kit with R-Line badges.
Other key fittings and features include Vienna leather upholstery, tri-zone climate controls with rear air vents, Dynaudio Excite Surround sound system, powered front seats (with lumbar support, heating function and memory function), Active Info Display, heads-up display, voice control and keyless-entry with push-start button.
Further bolstering the Tiguan’s standard safety features are adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera, front assist with city emergency brakes, active bonnet and park assist.
The Kia Stonic was also showcased along with its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission mated to its 1.0-litre (998cc) turbocharged engine producing 120PS at 6,000rpm and 171Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000rpm - giving it the ability to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 10.6 seconds and travel up to a top speed of 185kph.
This sub-compact sport utility vehicle is seen here in the range-topping SX trim (also available in entry-level EX trim) and comes fitted with 17-inch wheels, front and rear LEDs as well as a sun roof.
The cabin has been upholstered in leather and equipped with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit with reverse camera, 3.5-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster, multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic wipers and headlights as well as keyless entry with push-start button to name a few.
On the French front is Peugeot’s second-generation 508 Fastback flagship sedan that got unveiled during the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, and is expected to arrive in Singapore towards the end of the year.
The upcoming 508 poses with predominant inspiration from American muscle cars for its design cues that brings about a sporty elegance from a combination of frameless doors and large alloy wheels.
Inside, the cabin features the French carmaker’s i-Cockpit system, leather upholstery, 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch heads-up digital instrument panel.
It contains the three main characteristics of the Peugeot i-Cockpit, including the compact, full-grain leather-trimmed steering wheel, a large 10-inch capacitive touchscreen angled towards the driver and a 12.3-inch heads-up digital instrument panel. The new 508 is expected to go on sale in Singapore from Q4 2019.
Probably one of the most exciting newcomers is the two-seater Alpine A110 Pure Edition with its double-bubble roof, LED headlights, rear diffuser and chrome centre exhausts.
The A110 isn’t available just yet to Singaporeans, but once it is it may be priced around SGD$285,000 (RM860,000) for this mid-engined, rear-wheel driven high-powered lightweight.
The A110 is a resurrection of the previous A110 Berlinette of 1973 and - like its predecessor that uses Renault’s powertrain, includes the use of a 1.8-litre (1,798cc) turbocharged mill producing 252hp at 6,000rpm and 320Nm of torque from 2,000rpm onwards.
With a seven-speed Efficient dual-clutch transmission managing power delivery, the A110 takes 4.5 seconds to get from 0 to 100kph and onwards to a top speed of 250kph.
This 1,094kg (kerb) sporty little car has a wheelbase of 2,420mm and measures in at 4,180mm-long, 1,798mm-wide and 1,248mm-tall - all of which sits on a front and rear double wishbone suspension system.
The A110 rolls on 18-inch Otto Fuchs lightweight alloy wheels with staggered 205/40 (front) and 235/40 (rear) series tyres which partially hides the aluminium brake callipers that have been painted Alpine Blue - just like its body panels.
Although this is an ode to the Berlinette, the A110 has a very modern cabin which sports its transmission controls on the centre tunnel (Drive/Neutral/Park/Reverse) and even has paddleshifters.
Furthermore, owners will have the convenience of one-touch powered windows, an audio system by Focal which can be controlled by a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen and if performance analysis is required, the car is able to provide real-time technical and performance data.
