Eight wonders

[Weetiong]

http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/articles/O_20041204_001.html

 

Eight wonders

 

SAMUEL EE picks out the year's most memorable car launches

 

Samuel Ee - 04 December 2004

The Business Times. Motoring

 

IT'S once again that time of year when you look back at what you've achieved in life, what you should have done, and most of all, which car you wish you had bought instead of that piece of scrap metal you're driving now. Some of the models launched in Singapore this year were especially memorable. Most of them managed to break new ground in one way or another, either in styling and segmentation, or packaging and presentation. We look back at eight of them:

 

BMW 645Ci: The 6 Series was revived after more than a decade and re-created the segment as a huge coupe with a 4.4-litre V8 engine. The powerful engine complemented the powerful haunches and the image was potent enough for a couple of dozen buyers to plonk down their deposits even before it had arrived.

 

Porsche 911: The icon with the instantly recognisable profile made a statement with its styling - not because it was new, but because it was old. However, the retro look only enhanced the prodigious performance of the new and more powerful 3.8-litre Carrera S. Two words are all that's needed to describe it - classic magic.

 

Mercedes-Benz SLK: The quintessential hairdresser's car finally got revamped, thus gaining much needed design and dynamic credibility. The drop-top sports car with the revolutionary steel roof now has the looks, engine and suspension for a great drive.

 

Opel Astra: Another German which underwent an extreme makeover, the Astra was transformed from dowdy to detectable. Drastic changes were also made to its build-quality so that it can at least proclaim it is now almost on a par with the VW Golf.

 

Mazda RX8: Just when everyone thought the rotary engine was dead and buried, the brilliant RX8 zoom-zoomed in with its snazzy styling and suicide doors. It looks sharp, handles well, has four seats and amazing detailing. The only problem is that you sometimes wonder if the designers got carried away with the clever little touches.

 

Honda Odyssey: Also known as the other clever Japanese for its origami-like packaging. Somehow, Honda managed to create a full-sized seven-seat MPV that's not much higher than a two-litre saloon. Along with car-like handling and a very car-like profile.

 

Toyota Corolla Altis: Not so much memorable as significant, the Altis is special for switching its country of origin in mid-model life. As the lower cost of ownership widened its customer reach and increased sales, prejudice towards Thai-made cars was also whittled away. Now you know why Toyota is a juggernaut.

 

Proton Gen.2: Also special if only for its styling. But it's a good start for the Malaysian carmaker which has until now relied on ageing Japanese technology. With its Volkswagen alliance, Lotus engineering and low cost Malaysian labour, we can only imagine what other tantalising treats are in

store.

[Linus]

for me.. the gen2, astra and altis are affordable lah. the rest, juz look and admire from afar.. but wat really struck me is the RX8.. a real looker, looked like a bats-mobile...