Fast Lane: BYD Seal 100kW, Porsche Panamera in town, BMW and Bentley’s ballistic hybrid cars
Porsche launches Panamera at three-Michelin-star restaurant
Porsche Singapore launched the Panamera at Claudine, a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Harding Road, on June 26. The one-night event attended by 94 customers was held following the press launch in the afternoon.
The German carmaker said that the car has undergone a “complete exterior redesign”. Mechanical highlights include a dual-chamber, two-valve damper for ride comfort and handling dynamics.
Four versions of the Panamera are available, starting with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 at $468,468 before certificate of entitlement (COE).
The top-of-the-line model, the Turbo E-Hybrid which is capable of achieving the 0-100kmh sprint in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 315kmh, retails for $1.05 million before COE.
BYD Seal qualifies for Category A COE
The BYD Seal with 100kW puts the electric sedan in the cheaper Category A COE. PHOTO: BYD
The BYD Seal is now available with 100kW of output, qualifying the car for the Category A COE, which is usually cheaper than the Category B COE meant for more powerful cars and electric vehicles (EVs).
The BYD Seal Dynamic 100kW can cover 460km on a full charge and has 310Nm of torque – identical to the previous version of the Seal Dynamic, which had 150kW and is no longer offered. The lower power output shows up on the stopwatch as the 100kW takes 10 seconds to get from 0-100kmh, compared with 7.5 seconds in the 150kW version.
Standard equipment level remains high, with niceties such as a panoramic glass roof and a large 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen display.
The Dynamic 100kW is priced at $169,888, which includes a non-guaranteed COE, making it $28,000 cheaper than the Premium, which has 230kW and is a Category B COE car.
This is the third BYD EV model available in Category A COE. The other two are the Atto 3 sport utility vehicle and the Dolphin hatchback.
Hyundai sets two Pikes Peak Records
Hyundai used nearly standard cars to compete at the annual event. PHOTO: HYUNDAI
Hyundai dispatched three Ioniq 5 N electric vehicles to compete in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb annual event held at Colorado in the United States and broke records in the “Electric Modified” and “Production SUV/Crossover” categories.
The event involves driving up a 19.9km course with 156 corners and ascending 1,438m. The car driven by Hyundai’s world rally championship driver, Dani Sordo, completed the course in 9min 30.8sec, which was a record.
The second Ioniq 5 N in the category, driven by American race car driver Randy Pobst, finished in 9min and 55.6sec.
The South Korean carmaker said that the two cars used in the modified category received only minor software tuning to increase the maximum motor output and some “high-performance part changes”, which include shock absorbers, motorsport-specification brakes, slick tyres and an extreme-looking bodykit.
The third car, which set the record in the production class, was unmodified. Driven by Ron Zaras, an automotive media personality, it set a time of 10min and 49.2sec.
BMW’s new M5 is a plug-in hybrid
This is the first BMW M5 in history to be a plug-in hybrid. PHOTO: BMW
For the first time in the history of the storied model, the BMW M5 is now a plug-in hybrid. It has an electric-only range of up to 69km.
Based on the latest generation BMW 5-series, the new M5 combines a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, capable of 585hp, with a 197hp electric motor to produce a total system output of 727hp. Peak torque of 1,000Nm is available between 1,800rpm and 5,400rpm. The four-door saloon takes 3.5 seconds to get to 100kmh from rest, and has a top speed of 305kmh.
The wheel tracks have been widened, along with a specially developed adaptive suspension and other M5-specifc upgrades. Compared with the 5-series, the M5’s front-end is wider by 75mm, while the rear has been pushed out by 48mm.
An optional M Carbon roof is available to help lower the car’s centre of gravity. Through the M Setup menu, the four-wheel-drive car can be configured to put power through the rear wheels only.
With the complex drivetrain, the sheer size of the car – this is the first M5 to be longer than 5m – and the host of luxury and safety features, the car weighs 2,510kg based on the European method of calculation. This is 475kg heavier than its immediate predecessor.
The car will premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England in July. The M5 Touring is slated to be launched in November.
Most powerful road-going Bentley is also a plug-in hybrid
The latest Bentley Continental GT Speed is the most powerful production car from the English luxury car brand. PHOTO: BENTLEY MOTORS
Bentley has unveiled the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed that features 771hp and 1,000Nm of torque, making it the most powerful production car from Bentley.
In coupe form, the Speed takes 3.2 seconds to complete the century sprint.
The powertrain consists of a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine (591hp and 800Nm of torque) and a 187hp electric motor with 450Nm of torque. The car boasts an electric-only range of 81km.
Compared with the outgoing W12 cylinder Continental GT Speed, the new car has 11 per cent more torque and 19 per cent more power. As with the earlier generations of the Continentals, power is sent to all four wheels.
While the silhouette is similar to the third-generation model, 68 per cent of the components in the car are said to be new.
Breaking with tradition, the open-top GTC model of the Continental is presented at the same time.