Stuttgart Auto, Ngee Ann Poly to groom talent in automotive industry

Students of Mechanical Engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) will get to work with some of the best in industry, under a partnership between Stuttgart Auto and NP.

The students will get the chance to work as interns at Porsche Centre, and will be exposed to the latest technology, including the state-of-the-art engine systems driving Porsche's hybrid supercars.

Staff of the polytechnic will also be offered opportunities for industrial attachment.

These have been made possible under a five-year partnership with Stuttgart Auto, which is part of Eurokars Group of Companies.

Both sides also aim to create awareness and promote interest in the study of automotive technology.

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What a great opportunity for young car enthusiasts. How I wish there was such a programme a decade ago when I was still a student. This will be very good exposure to local students about automobile and perhaps one day Singapore will have its own car manufacturing plant.

 

Volkswagen dominates small-car COE category

Almost one in four cars sold with Category A certificates of entitlement (COE) this year wore a Volkswagen badge on its grille.

In the first 10 months, the German mid-range manufacturer accounted for 2,352 of the total 10,142 registrations in Cat A (for cars under 1,600 cc). This was 23.2 per cent of the market share for this so-called small-car segment.

From January to October, the top VW model was the Jetta compact sedan, with 744 registrations, followed by the Scirocco sports hatch (416) and the Golf hatchback (408).

But in Cat B, VW is a small player. There, German luxury makes BMW and Mercedes-Benz take the top two spots.

In this COE category, VW has managed only 595 units or 4.5 per cent in a total big-car market of 13,327 new registrations.

VW's domination of the small-car COE category has come at the expense of the traditional Japanese favourites; for now, the German car has pushed them all out except for one - Toyota.

Japan's biggest carmaker was Singapore's best- selling brand between 2002 and 2010, before it was overtaken by BMW and Mercedes-Benz last year. Today, it is still the third most popular make here, with VW in fourth position.

VW sales could, however, expand further amid the tight COE quota, under which the popularity of premium and near-premium makes has risen in tandem with COE prices.

VW could also clock even better sales through its full range of diesel models, which make their debut next month to take advantage of the upcoming Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS).

The 11 Volkswagen "TDI Clean Diesel" models are the Polo, Beetle, Scirocco, Touran, Jetta, Tiguan, Passat, Sharan, CC, Touareg and Phaeton.

Under CEVS, which comes into effect on Jan 1, buyers of cars with carbon dioxide emissions of 160 g/km or below are entitled to rebates of between $5,000 and $20,000.

VW is already in a strong position to benefit from this; in the first nine months of this year, 82 per cent of its cars sold already had emissions of 160 g/km or less.

So even though Euro V diesel models attract a diesel tax of 40 cents per cc next year - down from $1.25 per cc currently - the CEVS rebate may more than make up for this surcharge.

Volkswagen's PR manager Colin Yong said: "For most Volkswagen models, the additional CEVS rebate earned by the TDI models more than covers the slightly higher annual road tax, which includes the diesel surcharge."

For example, the road tax for the Jetta 1.6 TDI is $762 more a year than that of the 1.4 TSI model, but the Jetta 1.6 buyer will get $5,000 off upfront when registering the car - which equates to more than six years' worth of the road tax difference.

Mr Yong said: "Additionally, TDI cars also have even lower fuel consumption than our already economical TSI models, and customers pay less for diesel fuel at the pumps."

The TDI cars here will be sold at the same price as their equivalent petrol models. In Europe, diesel models usually cost 10 per cent more than their petrol versions.

Mr Yong said that VW expects Singaporean motorists to be curious about diesel technology and the potential savings, so it will open a TDI Clean Diesel Experience Centre in its Alexandra showroom.

Most motorists here have not had the opportunity to drive a modern TDI car, so the showroom will give them a shot at feeling the performance and the quiet running of a TDI Clean Diesel car for themselves, Mr Yong added.

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When the CEVS scheme kicks in in 2013, diesel powered cars will be very popular and one of the first makers to benefit from this is definitely Volkswagen.

Diesel engines give high torque, good fuel efficiency and diesel prices are lower in Singapore. The only worry comes in when more and more people move into diesel cars and its price starts rocketing, causing our public transport to succumb to price pressures and the consumers will bear the extra fuel costs again.

Schumacher wrong to return, says Ecclestone

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes Michael Schumacher was wrong to return to the sport, claiming the German had severely damaged his legacy as a seven-time world champion.

The 43-year-old Schumacher quit the sport in 2006 before being tempted into an ill-fated return in 2010 at Mercedes where he spent three seasons being largely outshone by teammate Nico Rosberg.

He brought the curtain down on his second spell at last month's Brazilian Grand Prix where he finished seventh.

"I would rather he had stopped as a seven-time world champion than stopping now," Ecclestone told www.formula1.com.

"People new to the sport -- people who have joined the F1 fan fraternity just recently -- will remember Michael now, not as he was. They don't see the hero that he was but the human that can fail."

But Ecclestone had some words of comfort for Schumacher, admitting that three-time champion Sebastian Vettel will find it hard to break his record of seven crowns.

"He is not half way there. It will be a question of how good his team will stay -- or how bad the others are," said Ecclestone.

"When Michael won his five titles with Ferrari it was because Ferrari did a better job than any other team -- that is the same with Red Bull at the moment. Whether they can continue, you don't know. Let's wait and see."

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Schumi, as we affectionately call him, like all other sports greats, made a comeback in 2010. Still remember in 2009 when Massa had a life threatening accident, Schumi almost made a return for Ferrari as a backup. Suddenly everyone was buzzing about the prospect of the greatest F1 driver of all time getting into the cockpit again.

Sadly that didn't materialise due to a neck injury and Luca Badoer took over instead, to much dismay considering how crappy he is as a racer. But the comeback did arrive, not in Ferrari but at the newly formed team Mercedes GP.

We all thought they can make a huge challenge considering how Brawn GP blown everyone away with their maiden season in F1. Sadly, Mercedes GP failed to reproduce such performances with their many issues with the car.

I wouldn't say Schumi wasted the 3 years. Try putting yourself in his shoes. The temptation is always there, though the outcome isn't what as desired, it put to rest what's left in the basement, like how Rocky Balboa made a last hurrah in the ring.

I believe to all Schumi fans, he still is the best with 7 world titles. Vettel has the biggest shot at breaking that record but there's still a long long way to go for Schumi's fellow German.

BMW Switch

Very good advertisement by BMW.
The woman is hot though

Audi

You always see many different kinds of car ads on TV. Always talking about how great the car is, blah blah blah.. This ad by Audi, is good and intelligent.

BMW World Singapore 2010

Car enthusiast or not, everyone is in for a superb treat at the BMW World -- Asia’s largest showcase of BMW innovation, design and heritage. Discover icons that have changed history. Glimpse the future with today’s concept cars. Welcome groundbreaking technologies. Preview the 2011 BMW Lifestyle Collection. Come experience BMW like never before.
10th-14th November, 10am-12mn
Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center, Admission is Free

Get up close with numerous BMWs, know more about their technology and latest car models. It seems that BMW has scrapped the 6series as I didn't see one on display. What surprised me is the introduction of the sedan version of the M3. Now you can be a family man driving a M3 which was only possible with a M5 previously. Head down to the exhibition, it's not one to be missed for a car enthusiast!

Bugatti Veyron

This is the one and only Bugatti Veyron in Singapore. Who can afford getting it out of the showroom and onto Singapore roads? S$6 million to spare, anyone??

Fast Facts : Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Fbg par Hermès
Engine: 7993cc, W16, 64-valves, quad-turbochargers
Maximum power: 1001bhp at 6000rpm
Maximum torque: 1250Nm at 2200-5500rpm
Transmission: 7-Speed DSG
Wheelbase: 2710mm
LxBxH: 4462 x 1998 x 1204mm
Kerbweight: 1888kg
0-100km/h: 2.5 seconds
Top speed: 407km/h
Agent: Malayan Motors, 45 Leng Kee Road

The Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès features eight-spoked wheels in polished aluminium, central butterfly wheel locks branded with the letter H, and air vents around the rims reproducing the characteristic appearance of Hermès saddle-stitching. The horseshoe radiator grille, and the lateral ventilation grilles flanking it, are made from lightweight alloys with a design of interlocking H’s evoking the Hermès “signature”.

The inner surfaces of the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès have been designed and sheathed in bull calfskin by the Hermès workshops in Paris. The door handles echo the fluid forms of handles on Hermès travel bags and luggage. And the dashboard, traditionally finished in brushed aluminium, is here clad entirely in bull calfskin.

Both seats are covered in two-toned bull calfskin, and the panel separating the cockpit from the central rear engine – traditionally made of carbon fibre – is covered in the same fine leather. The leather-lined trunk holds a specially-fitted “Toile H” and leather case, hand-made by craftsmen from the Hermès workshops.

The Veyron Fbg Par Hermès was launched in 2008. Bugatti did not announce total manufacturing numbers except that it is limited to only 1 unit per month and available in 6 colour combinations developed by Bugatti and Hermès.