A video of the new Lexus LFA losing in acceleration to a 2010 Nissan GT-R surfaced (see below), which gave the supercar a negative image to begin with. What many don’t know is that the LFA represents a technological milestone since the last engineering marvel, the Audi R8, and is essentially more advanced beneath all that carbon fibre and its relatively quiet, non-menacing character. After all, Lexus has been attributed to the combination of luxury and elegance, and they did so with a supercar that can keep an infant asleep while cruising above 200km/h.

In 1989, Lexus launched the designation F, coded for its first Flagship vehicle. While most of its developmental cars remained clandestine, it was only in 2007 that Lexus F revealed that it had been working on a performance model, the first Lexus IS F. Since then rumors stated that F stood for Flagship or Fast when it actually was inspired from Fuji Speedway’s first corner 27R. While the 5.0l direct-injection 2UR-GSE V8 engine IS F was truly a flagship for the F marque series, it resembled most other Lexus luxury sedans. Apart from the F emblem on the front fenders, it was impossible to tell that this was worthy of being the vehicle of choice for the Japanese James Bonds.

The completely furnished 2-seater Lexus LFA coupe first rolled out as an F marque concept vehicle during the 2007 North American International Auto Show. What seemed to be a cross between the 2010 Mazda 3, and a 370Z, the body of the prototype LFA was in every way Japanese, and smoothened to be an aerodynamic godsend that resembled non-existent prototype cars used in the game Burnout Revenge. A similar look was adopted for the LF-A roadster.

Not surprisingly, in 2008, the prototype entered the Nürburgring 4 hour VLN endurance race where it won the SP8 class, proving Toyota engineering’s unquestionable reliability and perhaps laying the grounds for accelerator pedals that need not be released. On April 2009, another prototype of the LFA won the ADAC-Westfalenfahrt VLN 4h endurance race, in the same class, although one infamously caught fire during the Nürburgring 24-Hours (We’ll forgive Lexus on this one for following the trend of super cars catching fire).  From first looks, this prototype, which went on to become Lexus F’s first production LFA model, resembled a lowered elongated version of Nissan’s 370Z, without the 2 fangs in the front bumpers. From the rear however, it was more Audi R8-like, with only the lack of an engine bay and the addition of a retractable speed sensitive rear wing setting it apart.

Powered by a 4.8-liter V10 engine equipped with dual VVT-i, the LFA has a maximum output of 552HP at 8,700 rpm. More interestingly, much of its torque arrives from 3,700rpm before maxing out at 6,800. At a power-to-weight ratio of 2.7kg/hp, the LFA has a top speed of 325km/h, although it wasn’t enough to beat the Lamborghini Gallardo or Nissan GTR in 0-100km/h accelerations. A visible slit beneath the bonnet forces air into dual stage variable intake manifold which later splits into the individual V10 Yamaha co-developed cylinders containing forged aluminum pistons, forged titanium connecting rods and solid titanium valves. Twin dual-stage titanium mufflers provide ample unrestricted breathing, although exceed Euro V emissions standards.

The V10, while lighter than a 3.5l 2GR-FE V6 engine was chosen over a V8 engine for higher revs and over a V12 for faster engine response. Such a choice backfired as the engine can rev from idle to redline in 0.6s, which proved too slow for analogue tachometers, and hence in its place is a digital one with programmable redline warning color tones. Together with the rear wing, a front engine layout allows one of the best safety ratings for its possible affluent owners in terms of dynamics and handling – proved by having the quickest wettest lap ever recorded on Top Gear’s test track, 3 seconds faster than the all-wheel-drive Gallardo.

So should you buy it?

Production of LFA begins in late 2010, and only 500 units will be made – 20 each month. Each unit will have a plaque bearing its unique number, pretty much like the Reventon and the V10 engine would bear a signature of the specialist who assembled it. They will also be custom made to individual drivers’ preferences and be on a 2 year lease – like the Ferrari F40 to prevent buyers from reselling it at a higher price. At a base price of US$375,000, this is one supercar that Singaporeans should not miss.

Almost 65% of the LFA’s body is made of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer, which accounts for the car’s lightness, despite the improved handling on emphasized down force. This translates to good fuel efficiency ratings, and if you’re daring, you could take advantage of the 73-litre fuel tank capacity for refueling trips in JB without flouting the ¾ rule and having plenty of drive-time meanwhile.

The 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox, operated with paddle-shifters and the ability to select from four settings, auto, normal, sport and wet open up plenty of driving experiences for the Singaporean driver. Power is delivered to the transmission via a torque tube by a crank-mounted offset gear – a world first indeed. Needless to say, it retains its stability and speed even on heavy downpours, and to ensure that this Toyota supercar stops – Brembo monobloc brake calipers with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear carbon ceramic discs controlled by Toyota’s Electronically Controlled Brake brake-by-wire system give it a 100km/h-0 stopping distance of just 28.7m.

Ofcourse, Lexus didn’t leave out the luxury finishing to the interior of the LFA. Apart from carbon fibre, leather and alcantara interior and bucket seats, the digital instrument display features color changing backgrounds for each mode, size changing numbers and appearing submenus. The Lexus Remote Touch controller Interface, first introduced on the 2010 Lexus RX 350 & 450h models is also incorporated in the LFA, giving the driver control of in-car information, configurations, and entertainment systems.

In case that doesn’t undo the damage brought by the GT-R, here’s a video that perfectly gives u the luxurious Lexus feel of the LFA. If you were wondering why the engine’s high pitch scream could compliment an opera playing in the background, well for one reason, ducts from the engine bay to the cabin were tuned in such a way that the rider hears the perfect timbre of the engine sound. Kudos to the Yamaha Music Department. Who else would have given thought to the common engine-induced male orgasm but the Japanese?

Lexus LFA vs 2010 GTR

The saddest part of this marvel is that Toyota announced early this month – all 500 units are sold out!

And these mini displacement models from the German automaker couldn’t have found a better time to get themselves in the showrooms.

With the COE having rocketed to new heights in the last few months (there’s never going to be a good time to buy a car in Singapore. Never.), everyone has been quick to shelve whatever plans they had on purchasing that motor vehicle and are holding on to their current rides and for some of us, our EZLink cards.

So what do theses two models represent then?

First, lets talk about the Polo Sport 1.2 TSI (DSG).

There’s no doubting the success of the Polo 1.4 when it hit our shores sometime last year.

Boasting much better quality and lower price than a certain popular Japanese model, the 1.4 won instant fans with it’s handsome good looks and the 1.4 engine that seems to struggle at certain times but gets the job done of an everyday machine from points A to B. But even with sales hitting their targets, there were a huge chunk of discerning customers who decided to hold out for the 1.2-litre TSI variant that they predicted would come in the following year – and, model wise, they were probably right in waiting.

With the 1.2-litre getting VW’s famous TSI treatment, the engine manages an impressive 105 bhp @ 5,000 rpm and a healthy torque figure of 175 Nm @ 1,550 – 4,100 rpm. That’s a clear 20bhp and 43Nm more than the 1.4 version.

It manages the 0-100 km/h sprint in 9.7 seconds with the help of a 7-speed DSG transmission while only using up 5.3 litres per 100 km.

All this comes in a package that includes two pairs of sporty 16-inch alloys, a multi-function leather steering wheel and an RCD 310 audi system with multimedia AUX-IN.

Justifying the Sport in Polo Sport though, are the said alloy rims that naturally makes the ride a tad more harsh than the 15′s and leather wrapped sports oriented seats. I did sit in the car so I can tell you first hand the seats are sporty enough to hold you well in place like any good sports seat. No, isn’t any change to the suspension settings.

Interested individuals should take note that to keep costs down, the sports seats (which arrive from Germany in fabric form) will be wrapped in leather locally. If you’ve got a problem with wrapping your mind around that (even though a lot of other manufacturers here are doing the same thing), you could opt for the original fabric seats.

Next, the Golf 1.2 TSI (DSG).

Basically setup with an identical engine as the Polo Sport, the 1.2-litre turbocharged unit churns out the same amount of horse power and torque as in the smaller car but only manages to clear the 100 km/h threshold in 10.6 seconds due to the Golf’s larger frame.

Fuel consumption figures for the combined cycle is at a claimed 5.8 L/100 km (17.2 km/l).

Keeping the package more interesting though, VW has slapped on some 16-inch alloys, thrown in Climatronic 2-zone climate control and 7 airbags as standard.

Now, VW knows very well that with whatever price point they decide on advertising, buyers will always have their eyebrows raised at full mast with the COE being this high.

So they’ve worked hard in making both cars a more fulfilling package rather than just an entry level alternative.

The Polo Sport will be priced at $79,800 while the Golf will be priced at $89,800.

A quick check on a popular local website though clearly points out that while the Golf 1.2 is $13,500 cheaper than the 1.4 TSI, the Polo Sport 1.2 TSI is the same price as the 1.4 DSG. Probably a miscommunication somewhere along the lines and we’ll make sure to change the above pricing as soon as we get some confirmation on the information.

Wondering when the Polo with VW’s GTI slapped on grill will make its way here? Think second quarter of 2011.

All that power
The GT2 RS achieved an 8 second faster lap-time than the Nissan GTR recently at the same Nurburgring circuit, and 13s more than its predecessor GT2. Much of the achievement can be attributed to the vast improvements, most notably the GT2 RS’s intake systems and power transmission. Yet in its bid to prove itself, all the increased horsepower (620) has only made itself look more American than German. (The GT2 was already churning about 25HP more than the Godzilla). It boasts itself in achieving an impressive power to weight ratio of just 2.21kg/HP, which is significantly better than Godzilla’s 3.6kg/HP or any other agile sports car on the planet (maybe not… read below)

Not waterproof yet
Here’s something that the GT2 RS warned of which probably no other supercar did: Do not race in wet terrain. The GT2 RS is just too light and too powerful, despite being able to hold lateral forces of 1.1G without losing traction. Wide 19-inch wheels with a lower thread profile and a central locking device offer better racing dynamics and faster wheel changes due to lower rotating masses, very much like the GTR, while preserving stability. Nevertheless, the very design also makes aquaplaning a real threat. Best to wait for the GTR to wipe the track dry.

Acceleration like no other
Surely, there’s no way a Porshe could accomplish enough acceleration to do a wheelie or drag race a Viper. However throw in a few slaloms and chicanes, and there’s nothing that could go faster than this slick flick. That’s how the GT2 RS shaved off 8 seconds from the GTR, by keeping tight at the corners.

For a start, the 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine features two variable turbine geometry turbochargers. Unlike conventional turbos, incoming exhaust gas is directed electronically to the VTGs through adjustable guided vanes. By changing the angle of these vanes, the flow speed of exhaust gas can be controlled, and thus the momentum on the turbine can be changed. This essentially means that it can control precisely when the turbo should kick in – even at lower RPMs. With this technology, turbo lag is minimized – perhaps even almost omitted, and the resulting acceleration gains are greatly rewarding on track. As if to make sure that aftermarket turbos performing like VTGs do not simply appear on a V-spec, Porshe engineers went a level further with the expansion intake manifold. Together with the turbo, this intake system ensures that air entering the cylinders is kept cool and dense via the charged air cooler for optimum ignition of the air-fuel mixture for maximum power and improved fuel consumption. You can’t get that sort of air quality with a cold air intake and one of those air cyclone inserts.

Beast turned Beauty
With its price tag and limited supply, driving around in this was already cool enough. Precisely why, the engineers decided that while it’s designed for the track, it would be better off as a status symbol on the roads, and messed up its looks. Here we have the first track car that rolls off the production line – stock rims that are gold plated. As if that wasn’t enough, they fitted daytime LEDs to the front of the car. Why would a track car need daytime LEDs? One reason could be, like the Golf R, the brake air spoiler took up the area in place of the fog lights to direct incoming air to cool its Ceramic Composite Brakes.

Carbon fibre has also found its way on many places on the GT2 RS. The dry carbon fibre bonnet, although is a weight-shaving add-on, serves best to differentiate this from the predecessor GT2 as well as other 911s. There’s more around the car as well, from the grilles to the mirrors, even the spoiler lip and back. Even the front lip (commonly made from PVC for durability) can be changed to CF on request.

Much of the interior retains a sporty posh look, with leather and red Alcantara wrapping the carbon fibre bucket seats and everywhere else with body contact. Roll cages are optional too, this means you don’t have to settle for extra advertising decals with aftermarket ones. The GT2 RS hence stands out as the best looking stock car that is track ready, and we mean seriously ready.

The GT2 is defeated but not out…
While the GT2 RS was made to avenge the GT2, Supercar tuner Switzer Performance took in the defeated GT2 and injected JRZ Racing’s torture-tested setups from the Patron GT3 Cup and Grand-Am Rolex GT series. So much so that the reincarnated Switzer R911S has well over 900HP and enough to keep the GT2 RS far away from hoping to slipstream and slingshot around it. To ensure that the GT2 RS doesn’t kill the R911S at the corners, a Switzer-specific titanium inverted-front-strut, remote-reservoir suspension by JRZ Racing keeps it in check. All that power makes it virtually impossible for any track car to take on the R911S on the straights while MONSTER intercoolers ensure that the engine keeps going. Now that makes the Godzilla look like a house lizard.

Further adding to the RS’s redundancy, the Americans (Ohio-based Switzer) made the GT2 a lot more practical to own for track purposes. All the advantages over the GT2 RS is offered for $46,000 less. And to make matters worse, the GT2 RS’s identity was stolen and duplicated for $6000 less on the R911S Carbon edition. Even each R911S has specific spring and damping rates, adjusted to each client’s track experience and even driving aggression. Seriously now, why do you need the GT2 RS?

The Final Verdict
It’s finally clear why the youtube ad for the GT2 RS features a running “&#@%ING %#&&!!” sign (see video below). It’s what you get when Porshe launches an engineering milestone, only to be laughed at by Supercar tuners. It’s only advantage over its jetpack cousin R911S is the fuel efficiency, which doesn’t even make sense for a track car.
However, Porshe can be assured that its environmental concern will be much appreciated in Singapore as the GT2 RS has everything needed for this city – Limited Edition status, lean looks and an 11 km/l fuel efficiency rating (Urban mode). Excellent choice to drive around town, retaining the ability to mock Matt black Godzillas without worrying about catching fire like other Stallion or fighter bull. Best of all, there’s no race track to compete.

Click here to see the GT2 RS and Switzer R911S in high detail

If you have no idea what we are talking about, here’s enlightenment:

So here we were minding our own business and digging our way through the mass collection of email’s compiled over the weekend when I chanced upon an email from a sharp eyed (and evidently distracted) reader of ours who says he starts his day off browsing through the pages of Sgcarmart’s “Used Car” section and somehow felt obliged to tell the world about his finding.

From the last time I counted, there was a white, grey, red, yellow and blue.

Now, I hardly see any of them NSX’s on the roads!

The car’s going for $178,800 with its COE expiring January of 2013 and looks emmaculate from the low-resolution picture posted along with the ad.

Under the “Features” column it reads “You Can Buy A Lambo, Ferrari Or Porsche When You Got Money Anytime. But If This Piece Is Sold, You Got Wait For A Really Long Time. Excellent Condition Unit.”, “Accessories” stating “The Most Prestigious And Classy Sportscar That Japan Have Ever Made. Still Tasty In Looks And Melts The Hearts Of Many Collectors. $450k When Launched.” and “Description” waxing lyrical about the car’s exclusivity further with “The Glamour Of Owning This Is Unexplainable. A Cut Above The Common Marques. Car Fully Enthusiatically Restored With Geniune Parts That Cost $40k Above.” – leaving out anything cosntructive like body colour and interior details.

Usually the blatant flauting of rules in posting things about the car that don’t belong in various colums would draw some harsh criticism from us about how the guy who posted probably drives with his finger up his nose, but somehow, besides this car being one of the rare gems of the automotive world, it’s undeniable that whatever was posted about the car under the three colums is pretty darn true.

So crack open those piggy banks and email us at contribute.br@gmail.com telling us how much you’ve got! Once we’ve got enough contributors we’ll contact those who we’ve chosen and head down to Eurosports with our bags full of coins amounting to $178,800.

Want to see what you’re gonna help buy? Here’s the link.

“The Glamour Of Owning This Is Unexplainable. A Cut Above The Common Marques.”

Touché my man.

The unfortunate yellow F430 couldn’t have found a more iconic spot to burn – right in the middle of town opposite SMU (finally the Picanto owners in SMU get to laugh).

The public-turned-paparazzi soon flooded online portals and media with pictures and videos (at the end of the article in three different angles) of close to a million dollars going up in smoke, feeding on the buzz over lunchtime. What? No one complained of pollution just because it’s expensive smoke? That’s unfair! Yes, Chow Yun Fatt, I know this is Singapore, but still…

Perhaps the dead would be really happy to have a real Ferrari burnt for them to drive in heaven instead of the joss versions.

While many found it akin to the Titanic sinking, the handful of mocking birds who felt that the driver deserved it for being a show off smiled in glee, especially when a young man stepped out and fled the burning vehicle (not the scene of course).

As the engine climaxed from the throbbing flames (minus the roaring moan that once qualified this mechanical stallion as orgasm-inducing), firefighters eventually salvaged the boot by water spraying the entire back half.

It’s time clubs renamed their signature cocktail to ‘The Flaming Ferrari’. Lamborghinis never caught fire that easily (here) anyway.

Certainly, a million dollars could have been put to better use – not in terms of not buying the F430, but given the same situation, a burning Ferrari is always a huge media opportunity. For example, FHM could have brought down a few models, posing by the fire fighters and a burning car – now that’s an absolutely orgasmic cover page worthy photo-shoot opportunity.

Speaking of models, there’s only one who’s worthy of making it to the cover page with a burning Ferrari.

My friend’s video of the flaming Ferrari with a special appearance from Riz:

Perhaps the sight of Akio Toyoda in tears during his public apology tightened the crotches of other automotive CEOs. Honda followed with its recall of the Fit model over “possible fire through excessive liquid contact of the master power window switch”. Although it sounds absurd, the Japanese certainly know how to maintain their quality standards – although it fed the media’s immense hunger over recalls and safety issues at that time.

However, little did we expect Porshe to turn up in the “i-think-i-should-recall” category of car makers – especially when it’s the first supercar brand to initiate the recalling of all its roughly 11,300 Panameras ever built. Unlike Honda which recalled cars based on some unlikely scenarios that breached car safety – Porshe’s Panamera has a good reason to take some of the meat searing that Toyota went through. But we’re never going to see Martin Winterkorn (CEO of Porshe SE and Volkswagen) cry over this.

Apparently, a fault in the seatbelt tightening system results in the seatbelts from the front seats detaching easily when the seats are moved close to the front dash. Now that’s bad news in many ways, as even at the lowest spec, the Panamera is a still a torquey beast pumping 300 bhp from its 3.6-litre V6. Did we tell you it’s rear wheel drive too? So depending on the nature of a crash, and the Panamera type, despite the airbags, our affluent owners will still be subject to being thrown around the luxurious interior, promising the backseat passengers a panoramic view of the accident indeed.

Although it’s the in-season for brands to responsibly make recalls over safety issues, the Panamera doesn’t deserve being let-off as much the relatively underpowered Honda cars. There’s clearly a lot of income at stake here for the governments – in terms of breaching the safety of their highly-taxed Panamera owners. It’s as good as jumping off a plane without a parachute, for detaching seatbelts in a fast car. And all that Martin has to say was the better a brand performs, the more autonomy it gains within the overall group – clearly showing he was more concerned with the reputation than apologizing.

Just goes to show how badly we’ve whipped a good man who sincerely apologized to the world over stuck accelerator pedals and then taken it lightly for every other recall that followed. Although he failed miserably on brand advertising where Porshe and Volkswagen have not, it is amazing that no one has come forward to grill Porshe for this safety lapse that endangered drivers in the past 3 months for the newly launched Panamera.

Surely, we could argue that the car had far more safety aspects covered in terms of brakes, ABS and airbags – but the point is, if the world only saw Toyota in this perspective, of being responsible to its customers and their safety, we would have seen less staff being axed from Borneo motors and showrooms around the world and not see a grown man cry on tv.

My heart goes out to Akio Toyoda and the Japanese’s commitment to quality at the end of the day. As for Porshe, which is busy salvaging its reputation – wait a minute, I didn’t catch Martin apologizing.

First it was the TT RS.

Now they’ve unveiled the Audi R8 Spyder, the long awaited model that completes the R8 line, at a muted down press-only reveal today afternoon.

Perched on an elevated circular stage and covered in a colour I can only describe as “an-oil-effect-on-aluminium-foil” (if someone knows what it’s called, please do enlighten us under comments), we were treated to another gem of an advertisement for the Spyder from the boys at Audi before three (really hot) models participating in the Audi Fashion Festival Red Carpet event tonight pulled the cover off the car.

Optioned in a white exterior body and black soft-top, the R8 Spyder showcased to us was a left-hand unit, so safe to assume won’t be plying the roads here. But Mr Reinhold Carl, Managing Director of Audi Singapore, was quick to add that he’s awaiting delivery of his new toy and he has optioned it to be the same colour as the one on display, but with a tan interior instead.

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Spotting a similar mechanism and design to it’s more expensive cousin, the Lamborghini LP560-4 Spyder, Audi has chosen to go with a folding cloth top in an effort to keep the car’s sporty pedigree alive by saving as much weight as they could on materials.

The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 30kg’s; which keeps the total weight of the Spyder and the centre of gravity low. With the top up, it tapers off to two slim fins extending to the trailing edge of the car, emphasising the elongated sihouette of the Spyder.  Senior Designer, Audi Exterior Design, who was on hand to explain his interpretation of the car also mentioned that those two fins were probably one of the longest in the business.

The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds even while driving up to 50 km/h.

Audi has even claimed that with the top up, the interior noise level generated while driving is hardly higher than in the hard top. The bulkhead, which is the section directly behind the two seats, have integrated rollover protection in the form of two strong, spring-tensioned plates.

Something else that hasn’t made its way to the Spyder is the pair of side blades from the Coupe.

Opting to keep the body cleaner, Frank said that by doing say, it freed up the beautiful lines of the car from the side and highlighted the functionality and prominence of the side intakes more.

To keep temperatures in-check, the Spyder benefits from two rows of beautiful breathing holes poked at the sides of the engine cover, creating for an awesome design profile when viewed from the rear.

Besides that, the car is powered by the same V10 lump that sits in the Coupe, producing 525 hp and 530 Nm of torque, getting the car up to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and then to a top speed of 313 km/h. An Audi Space Frame is used once again, quattro all-wheel drive, full-LED headlamps and even an innovative seatbelt microphone that comes standard on the Spyder.

With the top down, the engineers has come up with a way for the driver to get some undistorted communcation through with the top down, thus integrating three mini circular microphones within the seatbelt itself.

With the soft top’s inherent increased flex, reinforcements come in at the area of the sills, the centre tunnerl, the rear wall, the floor and the A- and B-pillars, contributing to the cars additional 6 kg from the Coupe.

The car rolls on those sweet 19-inch wheels of 10-spoke Y design, shod with 235/35 tyres and 295/30 at the rear.

Braking power is helped by the four discs that are internally ventilated and perforated, with eight-piston calipers up front and four-piston calipers at the back. Optionally, you could order your very own Spyder with Audi’s oversized carbon fibre-ceramic discs that are extremely lightweight but robust at the same time.

So it’s really not a full replacement model but rather a facelift. But unlike other lame attempts at these facelifts, the limo actually gets quite a bit of kit added to it both inside and out.

Come to think about it, we’re lucky there’s a handful of people in Singapore who were brave enough to break away from the pack and invest their money in something understated. Something not a ‘at-least-three-at-any-traffic-light’ Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series.

The four-wheel driven Phaeton’s still made at VW’s Transparent Factory in Dresden and has been given similar contours to the German brand’s current line, the design DNA supplied by one of the most outstanding designers in the last 10 years I’d say, Walter de Silva, the group’s Italian chief designer. He was the same man who designed the Audi A5 range and called it his best work yet.

At the same time, new technical features have been added.

These include Dynamic Light Assist (camera-based dynamic main beam regulation) and a navigation system that, if desired, can integrate online data from Google into the map display. In addition to this, the Phaeton’s optional front camera enables it to ‘see’ road signs, with speed limit signs visuali sed on the instrument panel and centre console’s touchscreen.

The system will also be able to recognise and depict ‘no overtaking’ signs – the first in the world to do so! The Phaeton will be available with a choice of two wheelbase options, two back seat versions (three seats /two individual seats) and four engines (a turbo diesel and three petrol engines).

The six, eight and twelve-cylinder engines range in capacity from 236hp to 443hp. The standard drive unit used in the Phaeton is a V6 petrol engine producing 276hp. At the capacities above the V6 FSI the choices available are a V8 and a W12 petrol engine, de livering 330hp and 443hp respectively.

On the diesel front Volkswagen is offering an extremely frugal and smooth-running V6 TDI. In Europe it is the most frequently selected engine for this car.

Now that we’re done with the sweetest summary you’d find anywhere online…..calling all tech buffs! If you get off on an overdose of information most of us really couldn’t care less for understanding, read on!

Before I totally lose you guys…make sure you’re adding us as a friend on Flickr. Click here and make sure you add!

Exterior

- unlike all other Volkswagens created to date on the basis of this new DNA, the Phaeton does not have a shiny black radiator grille cover, but instead a completely new chrome element. In detail the new grille is more upright, while its stricter lines and impressive alternation of materials between polished and matt chrome make it even more striking.

- as a sign of its class specific to this model the Phaeton also features three- dimensional moulding of the grille and bonnet, with precise edges that carry the grille’s heightened expression of quality on into the sculptured contours of the vehicle body.

- in the centre of the grille is the classic VW badge, which now – despite integrating the ACC (automatic distance control) system’s radar sensors – has a new-look surface design.

- to the left and right of the grille are new Bi-Xenon headlamps, which are standard across the range. Integrated within them are cornering and adaptive lights. Not just in visual terms, but from a technical pers pec tive too, this is a whole new generation of headlamps. Firstly, the indicator and adaptive cornering lights are highly visible and stylistically striking LEDs.  Secondly, as with the new Touareg, the Phaeton will also be available with optional Dynamic Light Assist. Using a camera integrated into the rear-view mirror, this complex technology ‘detects’ other road users and regulates illumination of the carriageway accordingly.

- the bottom final section of the bumper is now also colour-coordinated with the car body. Compared to the previous model, the new generation Phaeton looks even sportier and more imposing on the road. Also modified, the back of the car underlines this impression. The design team decided here not to change the classic, clear and powerful basic style that this area has always had, but instead to develop new LED rear light clusters. Each cluster features dotted lights and an M-shaped LED strip.

- new 18-inch (‘Experience’) alloy wheels

Interior

- in addition to the version with three rear seats (5-seater), the limousine can be optionally ordered with two electrically adjustable individual seats (4-seater). Furthermore a version of the Phaeton is also available  that is twelve centimetres longer.

- it can be almost infinitely personalised with a wide range of leather, alcantara and wood trim, plus optional equipment such as a fridge or multimedia systems from Volkswagen Exclusive. This also applies to the completely redesigned multifunction steering wheel. It can be ordered either in leather or in a wood/leather combination matching the relevant wood trim features.

Tech highlights

Use of online services: Volkswagen is for the first time offering an Internet- based Google function in the new Phaeton as a map display add-on for the RNS 810 radio navigation system with 30-gigabyte hard drive. The relevant data gets loaded onto the system over the Internet via mobile telephone and a proxy server specially set up for the purpose. The visualisation on the touchscreen’s display is the same as the Google Maps ‘Satellite’ view familiar from the conventional Internet and equiva lent to the iPhone’s ‘Hybrid’ view.

In the Phaeton the satellite images naturally get supplemented by the navigation system’s appropriate ly highlighted route recommendation. Particularly interesting in this feature are the POIs (points of interest) that can be accessed. Addresses, tourist sights, businesses, sports venues, doctors’ surgeries and restaurants integrated within Google can be selected in seconds and transferred directly into the route navigation.

Road sign recognition: By virtue of the camera integrated in the rear-view mirror the Phaeton now detects road signs and shows the relevant information on the system’s touchscreen and/or the multifunction display (between speedometer and rev counter). It displays not only the maximum permitted speed but also any important additional information (e.g. ‘10pm – 6am’ or ‘When wet’).

The system will also be able to alert drivers to overtaking restrictions – the first vehicle in the world to do so! (This would benefit Singaporeans and change the driving experience here in a major way. )

For the RNS 810 radio/navigation system further add-on options are also available. These include a rear-seat multimedia  entertainment system (the High End) and a 1,000-watt sound system with digital 12-channel amplifier from hi-fi specialists Dynaudio.
Electronic assistance systems

The Phaeton’s electronic assistance systems include Dynamic Light Assist (dynamic main beam control), ACC (automatic distance regula tion), Front Assist (surroundings monitoring) and Side Assist  (lane change assistance). A tyre pressure control system also provides standards of safety.

Dynamic Light Assist in detail: Volkswagen is introducing for the Phaeton a new optional camera-based main beam control system called Dynamic Light Assist, which represents a major technical inno va tion in passive safety. Linked in with a camera integrated behind the windscreen the system keeps the main beam modules of the standard Bi-Xenon headlamps permanently on.

It merely masks the areas of each beam that it calculates could potentially disturb other road users. For the driver this means appreciably more light, clearly enhanced safety and a more relaxing drive.

Thanks to the front camera the cornering light control system detects the exact position of the vehicle in front and at speeds of 60 km/h or more ‘pushes’ the cone of light up to the rear of the vehicle or even to its side and on past it – without dazzling the driver.

ACC and Front Assist in detail: Automatic distance regulation (ACC) relieves the driver of the burden of active braking and acceleration.

ACC significantly improves driving comfort and passive safety, especial ly on longer motorway journeys. At the same time the system (when activated) ensures adherence to the legally prescribed minimum distance from the vehicle in front. An integral component of ACC is Front Assist. This ACC extension is designed to help prevent rear-end collisions.

Using a radar sensor, the system monitors the distance to the vehicles in front of the Phaeton. If this is becoming too short, the system alerts the driver in two stages. At the same time the vehicle is prepared for possible emergency braking by the driver. Even before certain situations arise, Front Assist takes preventative action by putting the brakes into a preconditioned status that otherwise only gets activated when the brake pedal is pushed. The system thus acts as a means of reducing the car’s stopping distance.

Side Assist in detail: Another assistance system in the Phaeton is the lane change assistant (Side Assist). At speeds of 60 km/h or more this system monitors the area behind and to the side of the Phaeton via radar sensors in the rear bumper (one sensor each for the area to left and right) and indicates via a warning light in the wing mirror frame any risk of potential collision.

The area monitored by the sensors covers a distance of around 50 metres to the rear and 3.6 metres to the side of the car.

Now you can go get that cup of water.

What’s more, not only does the car come with it’s own numerical serial number plate attached on the inside, it also has the name of its owner on it – instantly stamping its seal of self-indulgence.

Now with the car having its own special edition for the Chinese market, it makes it the second (it should be accurate…we haven’t been keeping count though) supercar brand to do so – first being Ferrari with that Great Wall of China design it had on a 612 last year. Not the best looking edition but hey, what do we know right?

Thankfully Lamborghini didn’t bother paying real tribute to the country, instead, just running a thick Orange line down the length of the car saying it was meant to represent an erupting volcano.We don’t buy it, but then again…we don’t care because the 670-4 SV still looks as mean and delicious as the other colour combinations we’ve seen on the market.

Performance figures have been kept the same but for the benefit of those who aren’t familiar with them, the larger bull has 670 hp from a 6.5 liter V12 heart and with a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. It vaults itself from zero to 100 km/h in just 3,2 seconds and hits top speed at 342 km/h.

With only 10 put up for sale, we’re very certain all of them would have been spoken for by now.

When asked about the brand’s presence in China, Mr Stephen said “Automobili Lamborghini’s strong performance at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show and its launch of a special edition of the flagship Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce exclusively for the Chinese market underscore our unwavering commitment to China and the development of a super sports car culture here. Last year, Automobili Lamborghini achieved 11 percent growth in China. At the beginning of this week on 20th of April, we have launched our seventh Automobili Lamborghini China dealership in Shenzhen. The inauguration of our eighth showroom in Xiamen will come soon. It is our pleasure that we can share our passion for Lamborghini with China’s super sports car drivers, collectors and fans.”

So naturally, they took the opportunity to launch their newest creation for the first time in Asia at the Beijing Auto Show – the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera.

We know how much you guys love pictures and we also know how much our readers appreciate it when we take the time to upload only high-resolution pictures onto our Flickr account for easy access. So we didn’t want to ruin anything and decided not to put the blogs watermarks on the three pictures given by Lamborghini themselves.

Make sure you enjoy them in glorious detail here and spread the word about this blog.

Click to view slideshow.

ANNOUCEMENT

Burning Rubber is looking to get a little more serious but the name “Burning Rubber” seems to be pretty darn popular, so we’ll need to think of a new name for the blog pretty soon.

If anyone of you, our dear treasured readers, have an idea of an appropriate name for our automotive blog that isn’t like most of the existing ones out there, please do email us at contribute.br@gmail.com with the subject titled “Burning Rubber is so yesterday…call it this instead!”.

We invite anyone and everyone to get creative in coming up with a truly commendable and creative name for an automotive blog carrying the latest news, reviews and a little something we’d like to keep under wraps for the time being.

Restassured your efforts will be rewarded. We’ll be picking only one winner obviously, but as a sign of how much we appreciate the time taken to think of a name, we’ll be giving out automotive memorabilia as prizes to the top two suggested names! We aren’t earning anything from the blog so we really can’t afford to be shelling out more cash to sponsor the second runner up and the third as in most traditional competitions.

Churning out names not your thing?

Instead, you’ve got pictures from a supercar gathering and have no idea what to do with them? You’re just plain bored at home and suddenly have been struck with the best auto story angle? Whether it’s your neighbour’s hot daughter parking like she was backing up a 18-wheeler or an interesting link you found on the web, don’t hesitate to send us an email at contribute.br@gmail.com and we’ll try to work things out with ya!

Remember guys, we started this because we wanted something entertaining and fun here…something that seems to be missing in this part of the region. So do lend us your support and know that we’re always willing to listen to suggestions of any sort anyone of you might have.

So send in your feedback to us at giveusfeedback.br@gmail.com . We’ll reply you back!

Just before you jump to conclusions and mount a massive filtration exercise on all the local forums you’ve bookmarked, this picture is from the crash that happened last year.

Can’t recall exactly how the story goes (could someone please enlighten us by adding it under comments?) but it’s pretty damn apparent how the story ended! Whole right side of this Ferrari F430 was wrecked, damaging everything from rims to my real concern, the engine.

The V8 has obviously taken a good knock and doesn’t look like it will ever see the days of running wild at full song again.

From what I can vaguely recall, the car spun under wet conditions (you guys thought of Massa as well didn’t you?) and slammed right into the hideous green-coloured low fencing lining our roads.

How it went down however doesn’t change the result – having the pleasure to feature on the Burning Rubber as Orgasm of the Week #4 of course!

Thanks to a member of the Singapore Exotic Car Spotters Facebook group who grabbed us the picture off a forum!