By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

A SPORTIER VOLVO S60

This is Volvo's all-new S60 (above), with noticeably sportier styling than its predecessor.

New features include Pedestrian Detection, a groundbreaking technology that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

The car will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Production will start around June, in Gent, Belgium. It is expected to arrive in Singapore late next year.

LIGHTEST PORSCHE ROADSTER OF ALL

Porsche will soon unleash its lightest roadster yet. The Boxster Spyder weighs 1,275kg, 80kg lighter than the Boxster S.

The mid-engined two-seater soft-top has rear "power humps", making it look a bit like the Carrera GT. Sitting lower with tweaked springs, the Spyder promises to be a more engaging drive than the Boxster before it.

It gets a tuned version of Porsche's 3.4-litre flat six. With direct injection, it produces 320bhp, 10 more than the Boxster S. Power is channelled to the rear wheels by Porsche's dual-clutch gearbox.

With Launch Control, a standard feature with the Sports Chrono Package, the new car hits 100kmh in 4.8 seconds. With the roof removed, its top speed is 267kmh.

RAGING REVENTON

Far more extreme than the Boxster Spyder is Lamborghini's Reventon Roadster. Possibly the wildest open-top car today, the Raging Bull is powered by a 6.5-litre V12 generating 670bhp that slingshots it to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds and on to a top velocity of 330kmh.

Only 20 units will be made, with each retailing in Europe for €1.1 million (S$2.3 million) before taxes. Three have already been sold in Singapore.

MINI'S BIRTHDAY SUITS

Mini has created two dressed-up variants to round off its 50th birthday celebrations.

The Mini 50 Mayfair (right) is named after London's most traditional district and is a nostalgic reminder of the marque's heritage.

The Mini 50 Camden (far right) shouts "progressive sportiness". It is fitted with 17-inch wheels designed exclusively for it.

LAND ROVER BLOWS HOT AND COLD

Land Rover, too, has come up with two variants to spice up sales: the Fire and Ice cars. The Defender Fire has metallic "Vesuvius" orange paintwork, while the Defender Ice is in "Alaska" white.

Beyond special colours, the cars feature new rims, LED rear lamps with clear covers and a unique front lamp treatment. Inside, cosmetic enhancements abound as well.

Prices start from $218,888. Only six Defender Fire and Defender Ice models will be offered in Singapore, out of 850 planned worldwide.

ROLLS-ROYCES FOR RESORTS WORLD'S VIPS

Casino operator Resorts World has bought two Rolls-Royce Phantoms to ferry its VIP guests. But they are not new. They are used cars imported from Britain, with one believed to be a demo car used by a British dealership.

The resort, owned by Malaysia's Genting group, had also considered models from Bentley and Maybach.

According to sources, the two second-hand Rollers had to have their meters changed (to show kmh instead of mph) and their windscreens replaced to allow ERP gantries to read the electronic road pricing in-vehicle unit.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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