By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

Limited edition Mini

Two units of a limited edition Mini built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Formula One World Championship title won by John Cooper (builder) and Jack Brabham (driver) are here. Out of 500 made, the two cars bear the auspicious serial numbers 008 and 288.

The car is based on the Mini John Cooper Works and driven by a 211bhp inline-4 turbo, and features numerous exterior and interior details reflecting the racing pedigree of the brand. Each car is priced at $168,800 with COE and will come with a framed certificate of authenticity signed by Cooper's son, Michael.

Stylish F1 patrol

The Mercedes-Benz SLS 'gullwing' will replace the SL63 as Formula One's safety car when the new season flags off in Bahrain this weekend.

The 6.3-litre V8 with 571bhp and 650Nm of torque is the most powerful safety car ever, capable of hitting 100kmh in 3.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 317kmh.

The car is also the most advanced F1 safety car, with aluminium bodyshell, carbon-ceramic brakes, retractable rear spoiler and an ultra-quick seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

New engine for AMG Merc

Mercedes-Benz will now use 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbos in its AMG cars. The new power plants will replace the normally aspirated 6-litre V12 and 6.2-litre V8 AMG engines. Producing up to 571bhp and 900Nm of torque, the new direct-injection engines are relatively efficient too. For instance, the new S63AMG (in which the new 5.5-litre V8 will debut) consumes 10.5 litres per 100km, or 25 per cent less than the current S63AMG.

More Sonata cabs

Hyundai Motor will supply more cabs to ComfortDelGro Corp, Singapore's biggest taxi operator. The latter signed a deal this week for 3,000 more Sonatas for $70 million, with an option for another 2,000. The cars are for now the previous Sonata model, not the new i45 replacement.

The purchase brings ComfortDelGro's Hyundai fleet to 10,000 - out of its total 15,200 taxis. The others are mainly old Toyota Crowns. ComfortDelGro is also exploring hybrid models from Hyundai. The company has also been looking at other hybrid models, including the Prius and Camry Hybrid from Toyota.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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