New Lamborghini Temerario hybrid supercar

The naturally aspirated V10 engine has been retired from the Lamborghini line-up as the Huracan has been replaced by the Temerario, a plug-in hybrid supercar with a 4-litre twin-turbo engine and three electric motors.

Lamborghini said the Temerario’s electrified set-up cuts CO2 emissions by up to 50 per cent over the Huracan’s pure internal combustion engine set-up.

On its own, the V8 engine makes 800hp at 9,000rpm and the digital tachometer needle will keep climbing until 10,000rpm. This is significantly higher than the typical 6,500 to 7,000rpm rev limit for regular cars.

Coupled with the contribution from the electric motors – two in front and at the back – and the total system output comes up to 920hp.

With the benefit of all-wheel-drive traction, the Temerario gets to 100kmh from rest in 2.7 seconds, 0.2 seconds behind the Revuelto, Lamborghini’s V12 plug-in hybrid flagship.

The Temerario’s on-board battery can be filled up with a slow electric vehicle (EV) charger as well as while the car is being driven.

The first Temerario is expected to be delivered in 2025, joining the Revuelto and the Urus sport utility vehicle.

Play Uno in a BMW or Mini

BMW and Mini passengers – and drivers, when the car is parked – in Singapore can now play card games like Uno over the car’s infotainment system following the game’s world debut in Cologne, Germany, on Aug 21.

Up to four players can experience the Uno Car Party game together by using their mobile phones as game controllers. The “cards” will be displayed on the connected phones and the first player to reach 500 points wins.

This is the latest game introduced since BMW Group partnered AirConsole, which makes in-car gaming systems, in 2022.

Although available to both internal combustion engine cars and EVs, the idea of incorporating entertainment seems particularly useful for EV users who want to do something while waiting for the vehicle’s batteries to be charged.

Mercedes’ Bentley rival

The SL 680 Monogram Series is said to be the sportiest model from the Maybach, which is Mercedes’ ultra-luxury brand.

Based on the Mercedes SL, the Monogram Series features a host of intricate design differences, like partly hand-painted patterns on the front grille and headlights with rose-gold detailing. The seats are clad in crystal white nappa leather with floral design stitching. The infotainment system carries Maybach-specific graphics, differentiating the car from Mercedes-Benz models.

Power comes from a bi-turbo, 4-litre, V8 engine rated at 585hp with the accelerator characteristics that have been specially adapted to match the Maybach brand.

The price has not been released, but the recent Mercedes-Maybach S680 costs over $1.4 million with certificate of entitlement, significantly more than the $689,888 price of the S450L, which has a largely similar body, albeit with a smaller engine.

Chinese cars made in Europe

Chinese carmaker Dongfeng is in advanced talks with the Italian government to set up a factory in Italy, according to a Reuters report in August. It joins a wave of Chinese carmakers setting up shop abroad to get benefits such as tax breaks and to simplify the EV supply chain.

Countries are offering incentives to attract Chinese EV-makers to set up factories. This is while the European Union is imposing high tariffs on China-made EVs.

BYD, for example, is setting up a factory in Turkey with the capacity to build 150,000 cars annually. This is the Chinese brand’s second European facility after Hungary.

In Asia, Thailand already houses BYD’s factory to build EVs, along with brands like Changan, Chery, Neta and Great Wall.

One more lap with Audi’s 5-cylinder

Audi has shaved more than five seconds off its RS3’s Nurburgring lap record, solely by tweaking the chassis set-up, covering the challenging 20.8km circuit in 7min 33.1sec. Its previous record, set in 2021, was 7min 40.7sec.

The upgrades include tweaking the torque splitter, which apportions drive between the two rear wheels, the electronic stability system and the adaptive dampers. Power from the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine remains unchanged at 394hp, delivered to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This means that the unique voice of the inline-five cylinder layout remains.

In terms of design, the facelift, which is applied to both the four-door sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the RS3, is centred on a more aggressive bumper design and new detailing in its headlights.

In Singapore, Audi’s RS line-up consists of four models: the electric RS e-tron GT, the RS6 and RS7, which have 4-litre V8 engines, and the RS Q3 Sportback, the only model that uses the 2.5-litre, inline-5 cylinder engine.

ABS mandated for new motorcycles in Malaysia

From Jan 1, 2025, new motorcycles registered in Malaysia with engines that are above 150cc will need to be equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS).

While ABS are fitted on some motorcycles, it is currently not a legal requirement.

The Straits Times reported earlier in July that Singapore’s Land Transport Authority is looking to propose making ABS a requirement for motorcycles with engines that are above 200cc.

An ABS prevents the motorcycle’s wheels from locking up during braking and helps the rider to maintain control.