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Home , Opel Astra

REVIEW

Cars aren’t getting any cheaper in Singapore. But these four models featured show that you can still get your money’s worth for under $100K. WORDS VALUE TAN JU KUANG

nyone looking CRUZE 1.6 for a four-door really should not Aignore the Cruze 1.6. With an engine capacity of 1,598cc, this handsome sedan packs the feel and performance of a larger car compared to Japanese compacts on the road. The responsive double overhead cam (DOHC) engine offers good fuel economy through its six-speed automatic . Chevrolet’s Stability Enhance System and Traction Control provide for a smooth and comfortable ride while maintaining road-holding prowess. The profile the first passenger car to WE LIKE… is a head turner, receive maximum scores THE STURDY with its refined in both frontal offset BODY FRAME front fascia featuring collision and side-impact ARCHITECTURE AND large fog lamps and a crash against a moving ROLLOVER SENSING chrome headlight design. deformable barrier THAT PREDICTS Inside, the cabin is large comfortably, and the test, earning it a five- VEHICLE “TIP UP” enough to seat five adults 450-litre trunk is ample star safety rating from ON A FLAT ROAD enough for luggage or the European New Car PRICE golf bags. Head, leg and Assessment Programme SURFACE. $92,999* (WITH COE) shoulder room in the (Euro NCAP). ENGINE Cruze is purportedly best- 1,598CC, 4-CYLINDER in-class here. IN-LINE DOHC TRANSMISSION (MM) The Cruze offers 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC a wealth of features, POWER including the integrated 115BHP @ 6,200RPM NAVTRAK multifunction TORQUE touchscreen GPS 157NM @ 4,000RPM navigation. Passive Entry 0-100KM/H lets drivers unlock the car 12.5 SECONDS with a touch, and Passive DISTRIBUTOR Start enables ignition just ALPINE MOTORS PTE LTD by pressing a button. This T 6511 3033 is also one of the safest *PRICE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT. of its category, as it is

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The compact five-door PRICE $96,999* (WITH COE) from Honda ENGINE is still one of the more 1,318CC, WATER-COOLED, popular “small” cars 4-STROKE, DOHC, I-VTEC on Singapore roads. TRANSMISSION And though it’s been EARTH DREAMS CVT a while since a new POWER generation has been 100PS @ 6,000RPM introduced, the Jazz TORQUE continues to impress, 119NM @ 5,000RPM with its timeless design 0-100KM/H 12.9 SECONDS and comprehensive DISTRIBUTOR specifications. Space each power band, and $5,000 CEVS rebate. KAH MOTOR PTE LTD and flexibility of contributes to the car’s Safety is never T 6840 6888 configuration are also efficient fuel usage. For a compromise good. The centre- those who prefer a more with Honda. The *PRICE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT. mounted fuel tank powerful model, the Jazz is designed and ULTRA seats can Honda Jazz RS offers with an Advanced be modulated to a 1.5-litre version with Compatibility accommodate five direct injection that Engineering body and touchscreen display. passengers, or to carry produces 130PS of a full range of safety The RS version offers long items. horsepower. solutions, including a One-push Start System Drivers be happy Driving a car like this Anti-lock Brake System, and Honda Smart Key with the nippy 1.3-litre helps the environment. Vehicle Stability Assist, System. In addition, the DOHC i-VTEC engine, Under LTA’s FELS system, Hill Start Assist and multi-function steering which churns out 100PS the new Honda Jazz 1.3 Emergency Stop Signal. wheel is incorporated of horsepower and achieves an excellent For a small car, the with a seven-speed 119Nm of torque. The fuel economy of 5.1 Jazz features great in- paddle shift, cruise

seven-gear G-Design litres/100km and a CO2 vehicle specifications, control, audio control, Shift ensures a smooth output of 121g/km, such as a smartphone and a useful, hands-free transition through which qualifies for a interface through its telephone switch.

WE LIKE… THE SEVEN- HONDA JAZZ INCH ADVANCED TOUCHSCREEN THAT PROVIDES THREE MULTI-ANGLE VIEWS THROUGH THE CAR’S REAR CAMERA.

HIGHWAY 31 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 1.6 GLS PRICE $99,699* (WITH COE) ENGINE WE LIKE… 1,591CC, 4-CYLINDER THE CLASS- 16-VALVE IN-LINE DOHC DUAL ABOVE FEATURES, CVVT TRANSMISSION INCLUDING BLIND- 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC SPOT DETECTION, POWER HANDS-FREE SMART 126BHP TRUNK, AND AUTO TORQUE CRUISE CONTROL. 155NM 0-100KM/H 11.6 SECONDS DISTRIBUTOR KOMOCO MOTORS PTE LTD T 6475 8888

*PRICE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT.

should get you around town easily. But it is the ride that will get your attention. The chassis is now reinforced with 53% advanced high steel strength, more than double the previous model. The increased The sixth-generation Form and function seat is a category-first, torsional stability Elantra offers one of come together in the and the ergonomic and greater bending the best specifications Elantra. The unique front seats have high- strength contribute to an for cars in its class. The hexagonal grille — tension lightweight seat improved ride, handling, bold, aerodynamic known as the “shark’s frames for improved quietness, durability and design brings Hyundai mouth” — is not only performance on performance. to the next level of distinctive, but helps to collisions. The GLS comes with sophistication, and the direct air flow around The 1.6-litre normally Hyundai’s Gamma ride quality, reduced the wheels to minimise aspirated engine packs MPI engine mated to noise and fuel economy turbulence, hence a decent 126bhp, and a six-speed automatic are typical of more increasing fuel efficiency. the 155Nm of torque transmission. expensive models. Modern light signatures that include the day- running LED lights are a first for the Elantra. Inside, this model sports a more “executive” look compared to its predecessor, boasting improved roominess and premium soft- touch materials for a comfortable environment. An integrated memory system for the driver’s

32 HIGHWAY The 2016 Astra and maximum torque safety features available. PRICE was named European of 170Nm. Thanks to Forward Collision Alert $97,888* (WITH COE) , which direct injection and turbo warns the driver of ENGINE 999CC, 3-CYLINDER IN-LINE speaks volumes of what technologies, the engine potential dangers ahead, 12-VALVE TURBOCHARGED you can expect from this is twice as powerful as its and features a reflective TRANSMISSION five-door hatchback. The predecessor. LED in the windshield. 5-SPEED turbocharged 1.0-litre car One key element of The Opel Eye System POWER (there is also a 1.4-litre the 11th-generation Astra also adds Traffic Sign 104BHP @ 4,500-6,000RPM version) also comes in a is the vehicle architecture. Recognition and Lane TORQUE sports tourer variant in The weight of the body Departure Warning. 170NM @ 1,800-4,300RPM Singapore. shell has been reduced All this and more have 0-100KM/H Some of the by more than 20%. helped the new Astra 12.7 SECONDS improvements helped Overall, the car is up to win international safety DISTRIBUTOR AUTO PTE LTD tip the scale for the 200kg lighter than before awards, including the T 6922 3288 award-winning model. (depending on the model maximum of five stars in These include improved and trim level). the Euro NCAP crash test. *PRICE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT. efficiency and enhanced Though the safety features, with hatchback is smaller a premium suite of than its predecessor, the assistance technologies. legroom and headroom The new Astra has a has increased through completely new engine better design. Additional in the 1.0 Easytronic with design elements, like the an output of 104bhp dynamic divided C-pillar and the way the grille flows seamlessly into the lamps, help to make the new Astra look lower, longer and wider. But perhaps the deal-clincher for the model is the wide range of 1.0L EASYTRONIC

WE LIKE… THE OPEL EYE, WHICH PROVIDES TRAFFIC- SIGN RECOGNITION, LANE DEPARTURE WARNING AND FORWARD COLLISION ALERT.

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