[above: ComfortDelGro's workshop, Sparks Motorsports, at Senoko.]

By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

The coveted Cosworth brand is making a comeback, thanks to ComfortDelGro Corp.

The transport group is making its maiden foray into the world of tuners and mods with a new shop called Spark Motorsports. It is the 'authorised performance centre' for Cosworth, which has not had an official agent here since the late 1990s.

As many motorsports fans know, Cosworth is synonymous with performance. It has been a long-time supplier of engines in major races, including F1, IndyCar, Nascar, World Rally Championship and MotoGP.

ComfortDelGro's workshop and engineering subsidiary, ComfortDelGro Engineering, has tied up with LTM Performance to set up the snazzy shop located in Senoko Loop to cater to petrolheads who want to try something other than Japanese modifications.

LTM is an established local motorsports player dating back to the 1960s. It has competed in numerous drag races in Singapore using its own modified racing vehicles and has won eight events in the last six years.

The 19,000 sq m Senoko facility was given a $500,000 facelift. Besides Cosworth, it stocks more than 500 performance products from brands such as Advan, Pirelli, Brembo, JUN, Apexi and Sparco.

Car owners will be able to have their souped-up rides tested on a dynamometer. Road simulation, engine mapping and inertia dyna-testing are some of the services offered at Spark Motorsports.

The two-storey building has eight repair hoists, a computerised wheel alignment machine and extensive diagnostic equipment.

Enthusiasts who wish to buy a done-up car off the shelf can shop here too. There are currently two cars in the showroom: a completely rebuilt off-road Mitsubishi Evolution and a track-ready Subaru WRX. There is also a complete Cosworth engine.

Like racing memorabilia? Check out the Advanti rim used in recent F1 races.

The new facility offers pretty competitive rates, too. The modified Subaru WRX on display costs $120,000 and another $30,000 for a spare engine. The Mitsubishi Evo is $80,000. These are off-road prices.

A relatively simple Cosworth modification, such as a camshaft change, costs around $2,000. For more complicated jobs, such as beefing up the engine, prices range from $5,000 to $35,000 for a full-blown mod.

But what is a public transport group doing in the high-octane world of tuning?

ComfortDelGro Engineering chief operating officer Sim Wing Yew says it is an opportunity to expand its client base.

'We have been in vehicle repair and maintenance for a long time now. But we have catered largely to the mainstream market,' he notes. 'This tie-up with LTM Performance will enable us to expand our reach and bring motorsports technology to a wider audience.'

LTM Performance director Jason Ang says the company is 'excited' about the new joint venture. 'We will leverage on ComfortDelGro's established brand name,' he adds.

christan@sph.com.sg