Best Car Singapore Issue 2

LORDSOF

THE RING

PG12

JAPAN’S NO.1 CAR MAGAZINE TURNS INTO SINGAPORE!

JANUARY 2011S$6.00

WW

W.B

ESTC

AR

.SG

ASIAN MOBILES ARE SMARTER

BEST GOURMET BEST WHIZBANGS

KINKI PROTEIN, KINKI CARBS, KINKI FATS!

BEST RUNWAY

PARCO next NEXTChalkCoupé-cousu Hansel...

LORDSOF

THE RING

W0910-71 / Vivian #175

BEST FEATURE

ALIEN CARS HAVE LANDED

BEST SHOWDOWN

LFA vs GT-R, MAZDA5 vs TOYOTA WISH vs HONDA STREAM

Serial Feature: HISTORY OF JAPANESE LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CARSVOL.II

BEST SCOOP

SUBARU FT-86, LATIO GT, CR-Z, MX-5, RX-9…

PG112Free Gifts!

CONTENTS

ス ク ー プ

BESTSCOOP6 LORDS OF THE RING

Fuel efficiency will determine the next kings of the circuit.

12 KUDOS TO KODOMazda unveils its latest prototype, the Shinari.

16 HONDA’S MASTER PLANToyota’s “rebellious twin” sets the pace for future innovations.

22 BEST OF BOTH WORLDSToyota’s Plug-in Prius Hybrid strikes a highwire balance between price and performance.

デ ビ ュ ー

BESTDEBUTANT24 THE BIGGER THEY COME, THE

HARDER THEY FALLJapanese minivans take the stage, with Nissan Serena leading the pack..

32 “DRAWING ROOMS” ON WHEELSToyota Alphard and Vellfire Hybrids’ opulence will surely please even the most discerning passengers.

レ ポ ー ト

BESTREPORT-O!36 CIVIC TYPE R’S LAST HURRAH

Type R’s European variant marks the end of an era.

38 THE SKY IS THE LIMITFormer racer, Akihiko, takes the Mazda SKY series out for a spin on the Autobahn.

41 CONTEMPORARY COMPACTS21 2.0s.

44 SIBLINGS ACTHonda Jazz (Fit) Hybrid and Insight play on each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

If you have a story to tell, or would like to contribute to Best Car, drop us an email at [email protected].

We Are Looking...

16 38

32

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CONTENTSTABL

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目 次

Fuel efficiency will determine the next kings of the circuit.6

50

キ ー パ ー ソ ン

BESTA-LIST83 FUN CAR LABORATORY VOL. 2

Terry Itoh loves BMW X1’s seats, but is disappointed by Subaru Impreza XV’s automatic transmission.

86 LEXUS NEXUS: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHTIf the customer is “wrong”, talk to Klaus Redomske.

ガ ジ ェ ッ ト： 車

BESTWHIZBANGS: CARS90 WHERE AM I GOING?

The days of poring over maps and trying to understand them are over.

ガ ジ ェ ッ ト：ラ イ フ ス タ イ ル

BESTWHIZBANGS: LIFESTYLE92 MOBILE PHONES—SMART

AND ASIANWe hopped off the iPhone bandwagon and boarded the Asian one.

96 KUNG-FU FIGHTINGKick-start your New Year with a bang!

97 SOUND TRIPCheck out these new selections from familiar artists.

フ ァ ッ シ ョ ン

BESTRUNWAY98 STOPOVERS

Yoko Matsuda discovers an urban reprieve in SomethingToGo.

106 WHO’S WHO AT PARCO NEXT NEXT?Looking for the next big name in Asian fashion? Look no further!

グ ル メ

BESTGOURMET110 GET KINKI!

There’s no fusion like Japanese-French fusion.

ギ フ ト

BESTGIFTS112 FREEBIES R US

You Like, we give, you take.

We Are Looking...

対 決

BESTSHOWDOWN50 BATTLE ROYALE

Toyota Lexus LFA and Nissan GT-R compete for the title of “Japanese Flagship Sports Car”.

54 MINIVAN MAXIFIGHTThe minivan experts pit the new 2-litre Premacy (Mazda5), Toyota Wish, and Honda Stream against each other.

56 ENTER THE ARENA22 cars, 10 skirmishes—just another day at the Best Car office.

特 集

BESTFEATURE64 GRMN: GAZOO RACING MASTER

OF NÜRBURGRINGOur critic, Mitsuhiro Kunisawa, put the three highly anticipated GRMN cars to the test.

68 AUTO ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KINDConcept cars push the limits of human imagination and then some.

72 THE HISTORY OF JAPANESE LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CARS: VOL. 2The second installment of our serial feature—this time, 1980-2000’s.

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スクープ

While the RX-7 was marketed as a pure sports car, RX-9 will be a luxury sports car. It will be classified as a medium-sized car, roughly the same size as the Atenza (Mazda6).

Shinari falls under Mazda’s new “Kodo” design concept, which aims to be as dynamic as Aston Martin and Jaguar. The name conjures the image of an animal in motion, or that of bending bamboo. A computer simulation of the Shinari proto-type cruising around Tokyo emphasises the sleekness of the design. However, the prototype was displayed in Italy rather than at the Paris Salon that was held last September. This led to questions about Mazda’s timing, and raised suspicions of problems with the prototype.

RX-7 1st generation (1977)

RX-7 2nd generation (1985)

RX-7 3rd generation (1991)

RX-8(2003)

The situation is similar to what hap-pened after sales of RX-7 were discontin-ued outside of Japan: Mazda unleashed the RX-8, the RX-7’s successor, at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show. At the time, Mazda wanted to introduce its flagship sports car model as soon as it could, a source affili-ated with Mazda disclosed.

Mazda aimed to keep its market pres-ence by previewing the Shinari prototype, which was expensive to manufacture. The automaker wanted to draw attention to the high standard of the cars’ designs, espe-cially after RX-8 was discontinued outside of Japan. It also wanted to show off the rotary engine, which was integrated into the prototype.

A source disclosed that though three

…THE PROTOTYPE WAS RUMOURED TO BE RENAMED “RX-9” TO REFLECT NOT ONLY A LARGER BODY BUT ALSO A MORE LUXURIOUS INTERIOR.

Mazda’s new sports car will have four doors, seat four passengers, and feature a new rotary engine.

HONDA JAZZ (FIT) HYBRID AND THE NEW INSIGHT WERE LAUNCHED ON THE SAME DAY.

BEST REPORT–O!レ ポ ー ト

ACTSiblings

Honda Jazz (Fit) Hybrid and Insight play on each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s weaknesses.

44 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

When Honda invited us to test drive the new Jazz (Fit) Hybrid, launched last October, we could not help but notice Insight

in the automaker’s parking lot. Debuted in February 2009, it immediately gained popu-larity and was a bestseller within two months. However, Honda sold only 3,144 units last September, which was alarming. The launch of the Jazz Hybrid only adds to the Insight’s retail worries. Or so we thought.

We preferred Insight over the Jazz Hybrid because it successfully combined good spec-ifications with reasonable pricing—127,000 units have been sold since its launch. Also, it was equipped with Honda’s revolutionary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, as well as a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and Continu-ously Variable Transmission (CVT). Though Insight was slightly more expensive than Jazz

TEXT • NAOYA SUZUKI • YOICHIRO WATANABE

* Prices converted at time of print are only indicative of the Japanese automotive market. For local pricing, please contact the relevant dealerships.

The new Jazz Hybrid is the better choice.

1

2

1 The 60kg weight difference gives Jazz Hybrid better performance. 2 Insight’s enhanced hybrid system entices.

JAZZ HYBRID PRICE LIST*: JAZZ HYBRID SGD$29,400 JAZZ HYBRID SMART SELECTION SGD$32,200 JAZZ HYBRID NAVI PREMIUM SELECTION SGD$34,700

INSIGHT PRICE LIST*: INSIGHT G SGD$29,400 INSIGHT L SGD$32,200 NSIGHT LS SGD$34,700

JANUARY 2011 45

22 cars, 10 skirmishes—just another

day at the Best Car office.22 cars, 10 skirmishes—just another

day at the Best Car office.

BEST SHOWDOWN

対 決

56 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

Volkswagen Polo has a 1.2-litre Straight-4 SOHC direct injection turbocharged engine with 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission; it generates 105ps/17.8kgm.

Meanwhile, Honda CR-Z is equipped with a 1.5-litre Straight-4 engine that generates 114ps/14.8kgm, and an electric motor that generates 14ps/8kgm.

Polo’s dashboard is made of a soft, high-quality material, and

its air-conditioning vents are plated.

POWER AND TORQUE OUTPUTS**

Horse Power to Weight Ratio per Tonne

Horse Power to Torque ratio per Tonne

CR-Z(Engine + Motor = 124ps/17.7kgm) 107ps 15.3kgm

CR-Z (Engine Only = 113ps/14.7kgm) 97ps 12.7kgm

Polo 1.2 = 105ps/17.8kgm 95ps 16.2kgm

CR-Z has excellent performance and handling, even on winding roads.

CR-Z’s two-tone seats look comfortable and exude sportiness.

HONDA CR-Z VS VOLKSWAGEN POLO 1.2The CR-Z was heavier at 1160kg because of its lithium-ion battery, and its hybrid system generated 124ps/17.7kgm. On the other hand, the supercharged Polo generated 105ps/17.8kgm, and weighed 1100kg. Clearly, CR-Z had the speed advantage.

In terms of handling, both the CR-Z and Polo had some problems with their transmission systems. Though both cars ran smoothly, the CR-Z wobbled during early start-up, while the Polo’s hydraulic clutch was not as responsive as it should have been. On the other hand, both were stable, thanks to the CR-Z’s Showa shock absorbers, and Polo’s high rigidity body and Sachs shock absorber dampers.

We were unable to test the CR-Z and Polo’s fuel consumptions on the same day and at the same course, but

we noted their meters very carefully. The CR-Z was tested by a driver whose skill level was comparable to an F1 racer’s, while the Polo was driven by a Super GT500 racer. The approximate difference of the actual consumption rate was 1-2 km/l.

According to the “on paper” specifi-cations, CR-Z had a fuel consumption of 25km/l, while Polo consumed 20km/l. But other factors affected the outcome, such as the fuel-saving skill of the CR-Z’s test driver. Nevertheless, CR-Z had the obvi-ous advantage because it was equipped with both an engine and electric motor, though the Polo gets points for consum-ing less fuel during longer drives.

Overall, the innovative CR-Z received 90 points, while the Polo followed closely behind with 85.

Polo’s TSI Comfortline variant costs SGD$33,100*, while Highline costs SGD$37,600*; both are 3995mm long.

CR-Z COSTS BETWEEN SGD$35,200* AND SGD$38,800*.

ROUND 1 :

A QUESTION OF POWER—

CR-Z gets 90 points, while Polo follows close behind with

85.

Polo costs between SGD$33,100* and SGD$37,600*.

* Prices converted at time of print are only indicative of the Japanese automotive market. For local pricing, please contact the relevant dealerships.

** Specifications of available models may vary. For more information, please contact the relevant dealerships.

Part of the fun of attending motor shows is the thrill of

discovering original auto designs. Some are familiar,

while others are just strange. None more so than

concept cars.

Concept cars come in two categories. The first includes proto-

types that automakers are still developing. Previewing these at auto

shows heighten anticipation for commercial releases. The second

includes those models that will not arrive at retailers. Their unique

designs and innovative features are usually far-fetched, but may be

adopted by future commercial models.

Last year’s Tokyo Motor Show lacked the yesteryear excitement

because automakers had not had the time to indulge in concept

cars in a declining market, so Best Car cobbled together a few

roadside attractions. Expand your mind.

Is this a crab or

an alien?

TOYOTA NORI Like Nissan iV, Toyota’s Nori was a 4-motor

electric vehicle (EV) that entered the Design

Challenge. Feature-wise, the Nori impressed

with its solar cells, which provided an

alternative source of energy. Meanwhile, its

lightweight body was made of bio plastic

enhanced by carbon fibre weave and nori,

seaweed.

THIRD

KIND

AUTO

OF THE

BEST FEATURE

特 集

Concept cars push the limits of the

human imagination and then some.

Nissan’s electric-powered iV entered the Design

Challenge at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

The challenge’s objective was to create an

efficient, lightweight, and performance-driven

concept that would not sacrifice design—the

catch was that it had to weigh less than 450kg.

To qualify, Nissan crafted the iV’s biopolymer

body from a combination of fast-growing ivy

and spider silk composite.

NISSAN IV

HONDA AIR

(LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2010)

(LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2010

This concept’s body panel was made of

vegetable-based polymer, and it weighed

only 363kg, which was less than the

required 450kg of the Design Challenge.

Fueled by compressed air, it could reach

speeds of 160km/h.

(LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2010

ENCOUNTERS PRESENTING

THE “CRAZY”

CARS!

68 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

German automaker Maybach’s DRS—short for

“Den-Riki-Sha”—based its concept on the

Japanese rickshaw design. It featured two

electric motors, as well as an additional

source of energy: pedaling. It could

have a bright retail future.

Mitsubishi’s EV concept caused

a stir at the Design Challenge of

the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show

because of its eight revolutionary

omnidirectional tyres, each

powered by its own motor. There

are speculations that it will be

the face of a 2025 motorsports

model.

LOS ANGELES

AUTO SHOW 2010

The theme of the Design Challenge of the 2009 LA Auto

Show was a concept that would appeal to youths of

2030. GM delivered Car Hero, which integrated gaming

with driving, and featured an autonomous system that

challenged drivers’ skills. But how it would fare on the

street is another story.

This unnamed concept was

designed 60 years ago by Ryuichi

Tomigaya, who aimed to combine

good craftsmanship with lower

fuel consumption. Though the

design was not spectacular, it had

an aluminium 550cc engine, and

35km/l fuel consumption. Truly

ahead of its time.

MAYBACK DRS

LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2010 VOLVO AIR

MOTIONLOS ANGELES

AUTO SHOW 2010

Air Motion, like General Motors’ Cadillac Aera,

was powered entirely by compressed air,

which was stored in a tank and harnessed

during use. Since the tank was already

heavy, even when empty, Volvo tried to build

it from the lightest materials available.

GENERAL

MOTORS

CAR HERO

LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2009

TOYOTA

EXPERIMENTAL

LIGHT VEHICLE

RV-2 shared the Crown’s 2.6-litre

Straight-6 SOHC engine and

frontal design. Its rear side panels

opened like a clam, and fabric

could be attached to form a tent,

which slept four people.

TOYOTA

RV-2TOKYO MOTOR SHOW 1972

TOKYO MOTOR SHOW 1977

MITSUBISHI

MMR25

LOS ANGELES MOTOR SHOW 2007 MAZDA

MOTONARI RX

Motonari’s “organic” metal body could

do what no concept car has done

before: change its shape. It also featured

omnidirectional wheels that allowed

freedom of motion, as well as “haptic skin,” a

suit that enabled its driver to “feel” the road.

ENCOUNTERS

JANUARY 2011 69

LIGHTWEIGHTSPORTSCARS

T H E H I S T O R Y

O F J A P A N E S E

日 本 のライトウェイトスポーツ魂 燃える

BEST FEATURE

特 集

V O L U M E 2( 1 9 8 0 s - 2 0 0 0 s )

The second installment of our serial feature—this time, 1980-2000’s.

The 1970s witnessed a decline in Japanese car produc-tion because of strict emission regulations. But the following decade witnessed the return of the Jap-anese lightweight sports car. Specifications were gleefully boosted, and sports models returned

to the spotlight. Hot hatches, in particular, were in vogue. As a result, production reached an all-time high of 11.04 million.

Most lightweight sports cars made in the 1980s were equipped with the FF layout, which was initially considered only in terms of its production benefits. While the layout was prone to torque steer, some enthusiasts liked the way it challenged their driving skills.

An example of a popular model with the FF layout was the Honda CR-X, which

The A86 variants were responsive and priced reasonably. FT-86 would benefit from some improvement in these areas. Later versions of the AE86 received accolades because of tuning

enhancements and an increase in engine displacement. First picture shows Trueno, while second depicts Levin.

T h e 1 9 8 0 s

Overall length: 4180mm Overall width: 1625mm Overall height: 1335mm Weight: 900kg Displacement: 1587cc Engine: Straight-4 DOHC Maximum power: 130ps/15.2kgm Price: SGD$23,800*

1983Toyota AE86 Levin/Trueno (Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno)

72 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

1984: Toyota Corolla FX GT, the first Premium Compact car

The 1980s were the “golden age” of sports cars, and many strong

models were launched.launched in 1983. Among its fea-tures were integrated oil cooler and ventilated front disc brakes. Its downside was the rear seats, which was so uncomfortable that it was called the “one mile seat” in Japan. In fact, the seats’ qual-ity was so bad that only 2-seaters were retailed in North America. Ouch. (The CR-X was recently revived as the CR-Z, which fea-tures a hybrid system.)

Another influential model was the Toyota MR2, which premiered in 1984. It was fitted with a 1.5-litre 4A-GE engine, which was shared by the equally renowned AE86 generation. The MR2 was the first Japanese model to have the mid-engine, rear wheel drive layout, and this enhanced its handling. Unfortunately, the lay-out is no longer used in current Japanese sports models, though

1989: Nissan March (Micra) Super Turbo

1989: Toyota Starlet (Publica) GT

A car with an imposing design. Its suspension and brake system were improved.

The first generation was innovative, but sloppy.

1984: First-generation Toyota MR2

The car remains a classic even after 25 years. It was the first

car with the mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Its layout was imitated by other models.

the late Hiromu Naruse had con-sidered integrating it into a hybrid version of the MR2’s successor, the MR-S.

Still, models with the FR layout continued to be popular. Among these were the AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno, which were launched in 1983. While the Corolla sedan and Sprinter E80 had been equipped with the FF layout, their predecessors retained their original FR layouts. Racing enthusiasts and anime fans may recognise the Trueno as the car-of-choice of the manga Initial D’s main character, Takumi Fujiwara. The model is still a well-known one today, and it inspired the FT-86 that Toyota unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. (However, the FT-86 failed to live up to the quality of the original

New Lightweight Sports Cars

日

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ツ

史

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Overall length: 3925mm Overall width: 1665mm Overall height: 1250mm Weight: 950kg Displacement: 1587cc Engine: Straight-4 DOHC Maximum power: 130ps/15.2kgm Price: SGD$28,100*

Overall length: 3735mm Overall width: 1590mm Overall height: 1395mm Weight: 770kg Displacement: 930cc Engine: Straight-3 SOHC with SC Turbo Maximum power: 110ps/13.3kgm Price: SGD$18,000*

Overall length: 3735mm Overall width: 1590mm Overall height: 1395mm Weight: 770kg Displacement: 930cc Engine: Straight-3 SOHC with SC Turbo Maximum power: 110ps/13.3kgm Price: SGD$18,000*

Overall length: 3675mm Overall width: 1625mm Overall height: 1290mm Weight: 870kg Displacement: 1590cc Engine: Straight-4 DOHC Maximum power: 135ps/15.5kgm Price: SGD$23,500*

“Gross horsepower” ratings measure the power of the engine alone, before it is installed in the car. “Net” ratings, on the other hand, measure the entire car’s power output. Net ratings are 10 percent lower than gross ratings in light commercial vehicles. Meanwhile, the net ratings of normal and small passenger cars are 15 percent less than their gross ratings. After 1 April 1995, the power of Japanese cars was computed based on their net ratings.

CR-X Si was a lightweight compact sports car with the FF (front-

engine, front-wheel drive) layout that future cars would adopt.

The first CR-X premiered in 1983, and the Si version appeared a year

later. The Si edition had an oil cooler and front disc brakes.

FX was the European version of Corolla. It was brought to Japan to compete with Mazda Familia (Ford Laser) and Honda Civic.

Overall length: 3970mm Overall width: 1655mm Overall height: 1380mm Weight: 940kg Displacement: 1587cc Engine: Straight-4 DOHC Maximum power: 130ps/15.2kgm Price: SGD$21,400*

1984: First-generation Honda CR-X Si (Civic CR-X)

* Prices converted at time of print are only indicative of the Japanese automotive market. For local pricing, please contact the relevant dealerships.

JANUARY 2011 73

BEST RUNWAYファッション

98 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

Monday 2:15pm6 Dec

KIA FORTE KOUP • CYCLE & CARRIAGE

PHOTOGRAPHY • KENNETH CHOO

ART DIRECTION • NEO AIK SING

FASHION STYLING • HAZEL LAM

HAIR STYLING • ANTHONY HAIR BOUTIQUE

MAKE UP • KEZU YOKO MATSUDA’S DRESS • HANSEL

topoversS

SMART ASIANTEXT • MARIEL WONG

We hopped off the iPhone bandwagon—it was slowing

to a crawl under the weight of Steve Jobs’ ego—and

boarded the Asian one. Zoom Zoom!

MOBILE PHONES -

BEST WHIZBANGS > L IFESTYLEガ ジ ェット：ラ イフ ス タ イ ル

HTC has come a long way since it launched the Dream. The Desire Z ups the ante with its pixel-to-zoom 3.7-inch touch screen and ergonomically designed Qwerty keyboard. But what catches our fancy are the touch-sensitive quartet shortcut buttons, and HTC sense, which remotely locates your mobile with ease. Definitely a delectable buy for tech-savvy individuals looking to upgrade.

HTC DESIRE Z

92 BEST CAR ISSUE 02

If the galaxy could be ruled by one mobile alone, it would definitely be Samsung's latest flagship whiz, the Galaxy S. With its 1GHz Hummingbird processor and multi-touch screen display, this smartie certainly has the moves. We particularly like its Touchwiz 3.0 user interface, multi-home screen toggling, and hybrid widgets. Those who enjoy nimble finger-texting will enjoy the Galaxy’s 4-inch Super AMOLED (800x480) mDNIe display, with hyper touch-sen-sitive pinch-to-zoom functionality. Did we mention it has a 5-megapixel AF camera?

SAMSUNG GALAXY S (I9000)

S is For Sexy—Bring out the big guns as we zoom in on this galac-tic-inspired model that embodies our whims and fancies.

BEST G IFTSギ フト

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Anthony Hair Boutique (P.98-105)

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112 BEST CAR ISSUE 02