I was having a drink with one of my buddies just a couple of months ago and while I cannot really remember our conversation that night that lasted some four hours, I vividly remember him telling me this: If the person cannot appreciate your presence no matter how hard you try, make that person appreciate your absence.Whatever 'the next big thing' means these days, it's quite indisputable that crossovers and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) alike are the mastheads of the new generation of car buyers. All the need for wanting more space without compromising on performance cannot discount the fact that carmakers that have never been associated with chunky boxes on wheels are now creating capable and powerful SUVs. The face of the GS is now sharper and sleeker than before, thanks to the spindle grille that's tighter, more detailed headlamps that exude depth and L-shaped LED daytime running lights that are now separated from the headlamps. Tweaks to the taillights have also been made
to emphasise the GS' identity that's not only refreshing in its segment but also for the brand itself.The lineup from Lexus has always boasted well-crafted cabins with top-notch materials to match and the GS Turbo is no exception. Supple leather and wood trimmings that adorn the dash add up to give the Lexus levels of ambience and quality that are higher and greater than its German and English peers. Throw in the very fact that the electric seats have such a wide variety of adjustment makes this car an even more comfortable preposition compared to the aforementioned rivals.
That said, to think that the British carmaker's very first SUV is a mere stimulus to help the company broaden its customer base and to get a share of the pie in what we can safely assume is one of the fastest growing segments in the automotive industry will be to undermine the F-PACE.What's different about this car from the rest of its stablemates, obviously, is the sizeable proportions. Squating ferociously at 4,731mm long, 1,936mm wide and 1,651mm tall, the Jaguar F-PACE is bigger than the aforementioned German peers. As such, it has ample presence on the road, more so when you see it approaching swiftly towards you via the rearview mirror. In the space department, rear occupants will enjoy ample head and legroom. The only qualm, which is really nitpicking here, is the bulky transmission tunnel that eats into the leg space of the centre passenger. As you would come to expect, boot space is on par with class-leading rivals like the BMW 5 Series. At 520 litres, it only loses out a tad to the Audi A6 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 530 litres and 540 litres respectively.From the Maserati Levante and the Lamborghini Urus to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the recently launched Bentley Bentayga, it's clear that quick and luxurious SUVs are necessary add-ons to car manufacturers' lineups. Well, we disagree. Not because we prefer the Japanese to the Germans or the English but simply because the emotional appeal of driving a Lexus has always been different from its peers. My buddy's dad recently told me he was looking to replace his E-Class and he was complaining how he wished the GS was still using a naturally aspirated engine. Lucky thing for him then because there really isn't much to complain about with the new turbocharged Lexus GS…But that's not exactly a bad thing, really, because if you're still hanging on to the passionate notion of Jaguar being the brand for sporty saloons and coupes, you'll have to accept that the F-PACE may just be Jaguar's 'next big thing' when it arrives in Singapore this July. As with all changing times, it was only a matter of time before Jaguar joined the SUV party.Instead of dramatic styling changes, Audi has focused on refining the lines on the Avant's body, while adding modern technology and visual cues to bring it up to date. At the front end, a restyled front bumper features chrome trimming that runs across the entirety of the car's front fascia, while Audi's Matrix LED head lights and dynamic turn signals come standard. At the rear, trapezoidal exhausts round out the modern update. These combine for a sharply contoured yet dynamically elegant look. Despite our best efforts to try otherwise, as captured by the opening lines of The Raconteurs' 'Steady, As She Goes', there will come a time where we all eventually grow older, wisen up and begin to settle down. There is only so long one can be the titular king of party-town. Not to be kiasu, but there have been cases of unscrupulous dealers who lie about the number of owners a car had, only for the poor buyer to find out post-purchase. Seeing that cars cost a bomb in Singapore, it's better to be safe than sorry.The MMI system has also been updated, offering greater ease-of-use through a faster and more intuitive interface. One notable improvement is in the system's voice recognition capabilities. It responds quickly and intuitively, and you can spell out individual words, which is especially useful in Singapore with non-English road names like Keong Saik Road or Kadayanallur Street. The Avant bodystyle is iconic of the brand, and while wagons are significantly less popular here compared to sedans, it no doubt possesses greater road presence than its sibling, the A6 sedan. With its distinctive rear end and flowing lines, the Avant looks arguably better than the sedan. Remember Jack Neo's 2007 comedy Just Follow Law? That movie highlighted the importance of paperwork or what Singaporeans fondly term, 'black and white'. Similarly, when it comes to used car buying, being armed with some 'black and white' could save you from the evils of dishonest salespeople.You can't conclude on how the car performs without first getting behind the wheel. Don't let the excitement of owning a new car blind you from its flaws. Aside from having a go in it, check every inch of the car for signs of repairs, oil leaks, if the brakes work well, its servicing records and especially if the owner or salesperson claims it's accident-free. are some things to note.

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