[Above: The stylish Himiko Roadster]

By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

Automobil Manufactur, the company behind the Pagani and Weismann franchises, has clinched the agency for Mitsuoka.

The Japanese boutique brand, known for its customised creations based on mass-market models, was previously represented by Advance Automobiles.

The latter, owned by Thailand's Yontrakit group, has exited the Singapore market after selling its Alexandra Road premises to Audi agent Premium Automobiles.

A new addition to the Mitsuoka line-up is the Himiko Roadster, a 2-litre convertible based on the Mazda MX-5.

Mitsuoka's rendition has given the famed two-seater a classic twist, complete with retractable roof. Underpinned by Japanese reliability, it might be the only retro roadster available today that fussy enthusiasts can live with.

The car is priced at around $178,000.

FIRST PLUG-IN HYBRID ARRIVES

The first plug-in hybrid car is here. Imported by independent firm Richburg Motors, the petrol-electric hybrid, based on the previous Toyota Prius model, comes with a power line to charge its batteries via a home socket.

This gives the plug-in a longer electric range than normal hybrids. To improve reliability, its nickel metal-hydride batteries are upgraded. It is said to be able to travel from Ang Mo Kio to Orchard Road without its petrol engine kicking in.

The car is the result of Singapore-listed GP Batteries' stake in Plug-In Conversions, a California company specialising in souping up normal hybrids. Richburg plans to offer conversions to its hybrid Harrier and Estima customers, pending the Land Transport Authority's approval.

In Hong Kong, the authorities have already given such conversions the green light. Although the conversions will void Toyota's factory warranty, Richburg says it will underwrite the risk of possible damage.

The cost of conversion is not yet available.

LOOK OUT FOR NEW POLO

Volkswagen will unveil its new Polo here on Nov 18, starting with the 1.4-litre 85bhp version. But enthusiasts might want to wait for the 1.2TSI 105bhp arriving next year. The new mite of an engine will be found in the Golf as well. With a turbo, it produces 175Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm.

COMPACT CROSSOVER COMING

Mitsubishi Motors will launch a compact crossover in Japan next February.

Based on the 2007 Concept-cX show car, the new model is the firm's second 'lower- impact vehicles' after the i-MiEV electric compact. The Nissan Qashqai-size compact crossover is expected to arrive in Singapore between next June and July.

NTU SOLAR CAR COMES IN 12TH

Nanyang Technological University's Nanyang Venture II has emerged 12th in the just concluded World Solar Challenge in Australia. In all, 31 solar cars from around the world competed in the 3,000km race from Darwin to Adelaide.

Built and driven by NTU students, it finished ahead of teams from countries such as Britain, France, Turkey, Switzerland and Malaysia. The team from Tokai University in Japan took pole position.

FASTEST WHEELS

British supercar manufacturer Keating's TKR may well be the fastest production car. It clocked 417kmh on the salt flats in California last month. The 7-litre 1,800bhp TKR's feat is close to 5kmh faster than the record holder, the Shelby Aero TT.

It has to repeat the run to ensure entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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