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Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Car review: Audi Q7 shows combustion cars are not going quietly into the night
SINGAPORE – Some people say that once you have driven an electric car, you can never go back to one with a combustion engine. Besides the instant gratification an electric drivetrain often offers, electric vehicles (EVs) have gizmos spilling out from their wing mirrors that make them so modern, so high-tech and so cool. To test that hypothesis, I take out an Audi Q7, a model which has not changed substantially since it first appeared 20 years ago. The variant on hand is a 3-litre turbocharged V6 putting out 340hp and 500Nm from 1,370rpm. It is the second facelift of the second-generation Q7, spruced up with a new grille, new wheels, cabin inlays and seats with contrasting stitching. It is equipped with high-definition Matrix LED headlights and organic LED rear lights (with four selectable designs, no less). The Q7 looks rather distinguished, having aged better than many cars of its era. Measuring 5,072mm long, 1,970mm wide and 1,734mm tall with a 2,995mm wheelbase, the car is still imposing, but it is no longer the bulkiest in town. That superlative belongs to a slew of electric behemoths, mostly from China. At 2,115kg, the Q7 3.0 is not considered overweight either. Again, that honour belongs to the battery behemoths. At the wheel, the Q7 acquits itself very well for an ageing Audi. The 0-100kmh sprint is done in 5.6 seconds and the top speed is an electronically regulated 250kmh. These figures compare well against sportier, dual-motor electric cars. You may not get the instantaneous throttle response electric cars usually deliver, but you get the staccato progression in speed as the car's eight-speed transmission matches cog to revs. The mechanical proceedings may be less efficient than electric drive, and even a tad sluggish when you want a quick getaway, but it is more emotional. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 Asia Malaysia dismantles Islamic State network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Asia Indonesian rescuers widen search for missing after ferry sinks Familiar territory: The cockpit of the Q7 has not changed dramatically over the years. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Driving the Audi is thus akin to listening to an unplugged version of your favourite song. Not better or worse, just different. For me, driving the Q7 is like a small homecoming. I have driven several variants of the car in several countries over the years. And it has never failed to bring a smile to my face. I like the Q7's seven-seat configuration for transporting my entire family. Surprisingly, my youngest and tallest son, at 1.78cm tall, can still sit comfortably in the last row. When this row is not in use, the car has a whopping 780 litres of stowage. Flattening and reinstating the seats can be done at the touch of buttons in the boot. You can also raise or lower loading height with buttons. With its adaptive air suspension, the Q7 3.0 dishes out a palatable blend of ride comfort and handling. It is a car which you can drive effortlessly with its easy-to-use adaptive cruise control or enthusiastically in Dynamic mode, with your fingers determining gear changes. Floor flaw: Occupant of centre seat in second row has to contend with an enormous transmission tunnel. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Two-step tango: Accessing the third row requires pulling two levers to fold and lift second-row seats. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The Q7's cockpit is pleasantly familiar. Although Audi was among the first to go digital, the Q7 does not overwhelm, as many common adjustments can still be done manually. I am glad its cabin has not yet been 'upgraded' to the new format seen in the Audi A5. The latter, I feel, is not an improvement. The Q7's tech suite is sufficient but not superfluous. It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the former of which I can say reconnects automatically and unfailingly. There is a wireless phone charger, but it is not very fast. All-wheel steering makes driving the luxe barge easier, and conveniences such as soft door closing and head-up display are other welcome frills. But even without these, the Q7 is eminently likeable. Its only blemishes are a prominent hump in the middle of the second row, and a sticky centre console lid. Boot cramp: Still sufficient for weekend grocery shopping. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The test unit averages 12.7 litres/100km, which is not too shoddy for a car of its size and performance, and not far from Audi's stated 11.8 litres/100km. When this 3-litre turbocharged V6 variant was first reviewed in February 2021, it clocked 15 litres/100km. With its 85-litre fuel tank, the latest Q7 3.0 can be driven to Ipoh non-stop with plenty of range to spare. And that may be yet another reason I feel an EV owner can easily go back to combustion if there are attractive options available. That may also be why a growing list of carmakers, including Audi, are delaying their goal to ditch combustion engines for an all-EV future. Audi Q7 S Line 55 TFSI quattro Price: $525,999 with certificate of entitlement (COE), before applicable discounts Engine: 2,995cc 24-valve V6 turbocharged Transmission: Eight-speed Tiptronic with paddle shift Power: 340hp at 5,200rpm Torque: 500Nm at 1,370-4,500rpm 0-100kmh: 5.6 seconds Top speed: 250kmh (electronically limited) Fuel consumption: 11.8 litres/100km Agent: Audi Singapore Rating: ★★★☆☆ Comparable considerations Volvo XC90 B5 Ultra ($418,000 with COE) The XC90 does not match the Q7's bristling performance, but it is more frugal, has more usable space and comes with a more compelling price. Its cabin feels more contemporary than the Audi's and is a degree better in fit and finish. Although it lacks the brute force of the Q7, it feels breezy and lightfooted on the go. BMW X5 xDrive40i ($554,888 with COE) The X5 still reigns as the most driver-engaging multi-seater in town. The xDrive40i packs a slightly bigger punch than the Q7 3.0 yet delivers better efficiency. Space-wise, it is similar to the Audi. Like the Q7, it is arguably a more agreeable car than its electric equivalent overall.
Straits Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Time capsule of 60 items sealed at Pink Dot 2025, to be opened in 2050
This is the third Pink Dot SG rally since Singapore repealed Section 377A. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Time capsule of 60 items sealed at Pink Dot 2025, to be opened in 2050 SINGAPORE - Thousands adorned in pink gathered at Hong Lim Park on June 28 in celebration of love in all forms at the annual Pink Dot SG rally. Rainy weather did not dampen the spirit of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) community and supporters who attended the 17th edition of the rally. Among the politicians spotted at the event included PAP MPs Alex Yeo and Ng Shi Xuan, as well as Workers' Party MPs He Ting Ru and Louis Chua. A time capsule of more than 60 items – from everyday objects to cherished heirlooms – was sealed at the event. The capsule was designed by local artist Nichole Ho. These items include a chest binder, passed on from one person going through their gender journey to another, and a phone pouch that had held the first phone used for the Oogachaga counselling hotline set up almost two decades ago for the queer community. Mr Bhaskaran, who provided only one name, and his partner Sam contributed their marriage certificate to the time capsule. The pair got married in 2025 in San Francisco. Their hope is that queer couples will one day be able to legally marry on home soil. Mr Bhaskaran also contributed a set of cutlery to the capsule, which symbolises his mother's journey to embracing Sam. She was once unsure of the couple, but now shows her acceptance, especially at the dinner table. The fork and spoon set is the only set of cutlery regularly used in the home by Sam, as the rest of the family eats with their hands. This is the third Pink Dot SG rally since Singapore repealed Section 377A, the law that criminalised gay sex. Ms Opera Tang, one of the speakers at the event, submitted the first headdress she made, which was worn during her debut drag performance at Pink Dot in 2021. Ms Tang spoke about how the headdress was styled together with her grandmother, who expressed her quiet support for her drag journey through craft. 'Ah Ma doesn't say things like 'queer' or 'drag'. But she says, 'jiak ba buay?' (Teochew for 'Have you eaten?'), which is how she says 'I love you', she said. The items were sealed into the time capsule, with the last being a picture of the crowd gathered at the Speakers' Corner. Thousands adorned in pink gathered at Hong Lim Park on June 28 in celebration of love in all forms at the annual Pink Dot SG rally. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Those who want to read the stories behind each item inside the time capsule can do so at The capsule will be opened in 2050. The year symbolises the new generation of LGBTQ+ Singaporeans and represents hope for the future, said Pink Dot's organisers. Pink Dot spokesman Clement Tan said: 'This time capsule serves as a reminder of the love and resilience that has carried us this far. We want to send a message of hope to future Singaporeans: that all forms of love are valid and that our relationships should be celebrated equally.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Car review: The Smart #3 – when playful meets polish
Refined: The Smart #3 is a more matured sibling of the #1 launched in 2024. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE – Meet the Smart #3, the coupe-shaped electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) that is the sleeker and more grown-up sibling to the quirky-looking #1, which was launched here in 2024. Although Smart is a relatively new brand in Singapore, its city cars have been zipping around European city streets for nearly three decades. The brand has undergone significant transformation in the age of electrification, with its German owner, Mercedes-Benz, partnering China's Geely in 2019 to create a new range of stylish, upscale electric vehicles (EVs). This upmarket move is not unlike BMW's revival of the Mini brand 30 years ago. In Singapore, the #3 comes in two versions, the Pro+ – yes, it sounds like a gadget – and the Brabus, which is the sportier version and named after the famed German tuner known for souping up Mercedes-Benz cars. As the more grown-up sibling of the #1, where the quirky design was a big part of its charm, the #3 adopts a more refined and less attention-grabbing look. It has a sleek, sloping roofline and an elegant profile. The wheelbase is stretched by 35mm to 2,785mm, and the car is bigger overall, measuring 4,400mm, which is 130mm more than the #1. Call it growing up if you will, but in doing so, the coupe SUV misses the playful standout factor that made the #1 so memorable. This is significant because the size and form of the #3 put the car up against a long list of electric SUVs on sale today. The cabin is mostly similar to the #1 Brabus'. The seats seem to be set slightly lower and the driving position is more reclined. The Brabus touches include red seatbelts, a suede-like steering wheel rim and microfibre on the sports seats. The touchscreen infotainment system is easy enough to use, and it needs to be because there are very few physical switches. Screen-dependent: The touchscreen infotainment system handles the majority of functions. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The presentation on the screen is funky. The home screen looks like a piece of graffiti with an animated fox (or leopard) waiting for instructions, just like Mini has its animated dog. If that is too chaotic, swiping right will display a more traditional tile layout. There is a row of touch-sensitive buttons below the screen that offers quick access to functions such as drive modes, but no volume control knob. The volume can be adjusted only with the buttons on the steering wheel or the screen. At 370 litres, the boot space of the #3 is similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz A-class. So, it is probably sufficient for most drivers, even if it is not particularly generous. Sufficient capacity: The #3's boot has a capacity of 370 litres. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The #3 Brabus is as quick as a road car needs to be. The claimed 0-100kmh timing of 3.7 seconds beats the 530hp BMW M2 CS by 0.1 of a second. The acceleration is explosive with sharp, confidence-inspiring handling to match. It also seems more stable than the #1 Brabus, which may be down to the lower ride height and longer wheelbase. As with many EVs, the #3 Brabus will slow down markedly when the accelerator is lifted to recapture energy and charge its batteries. There is also a one-pedal driving mode, which will bring the car to a complete halt without needing the brake pedal. After covering nearly 200km, the test car posts an average energy consumption of 16.2kWh/100km, which is better than claimed. This suggests that a full charge should give an operating range of 400km or so. Rationally, the #3 Brabus is more practical and it is a polished upgrade of the #1 Brabus. Want to be even more sensible? Go for the #3 Pro+ and save yourself $35,000. But if fun is the top priority and you want to wear a silly grin on every drive, the #1 Brabus still has the edge. Smart #3 Brabus Price: $325,888 with COE after rebates and before applicable discounts Motors: Two permanent magnet synchronous with 66kWh NCM battery Transmission: Single-speed, all-wheel drive Power: 315kW Torque: 543Nm 0-100kmh: 3.7 seconds Top speed: 180kmh Power consumption: 17.6kWh/100km Charging capacity: 22kW AC; 150kW DC Agent: Cycle & Carriage Rating: ★★★☆☆ Comparable considerations Mini JCW Countryman All4 ($311,888 with COE) As Mini's hottest petrol SUV, the JCW Countryman is bigger and more practical than the Smart. Its 292hp, 2-litre turbocharged engine does 0-100kmh in 5.4 seconds, which is no match for the Smart. The electric non-JCW version of the car goes for $266,888 with COE. Cupra Tavascan VZ ($316,900 with COE before discount) Larger and more practical than the #3 Brabus but no less stylish, the hot Tavascan is an entertaining drive even though its 250kW output pales in comparison to the #3 Brabus, with a 0-100kmh timing of 5.6 seconds. Zeekr X Flagship ($224,999 before discount) Slightly smaller than the #3 Brabus but just as powerful is the Zeekr X Flagship. With Zeekr being also Geely-owned, the X's underpinnings are closely related to those of the Smarts. Against the stopwatch, the 315kW X gets from 0-100kmh in 3.8 seconds, 0.1 of a second shy of the Smart #3. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Straits Times
S'poreans urged to postpone non-essential travel to the Middle East amid escalating tensions
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said that all Singaporean haj pilgrims that performed their pilgrimage in 2025 have returned to Singapore safely. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Family members awaiting with posters to welcome back the final group of Singaporean haj pilgrims on June 25. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim welcoming back the final group of Singaporean haj pilgrims at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on June 25. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE – Singaporeans planning non-essential trips to areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East are urged to postpone their trips and adhere to travel advisories by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . This is because the authorities are concerned over the escalating tensions in the region, said Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim. Speaking to the media at Changi Airport on June 25, Associate Professor Faishal noted that 43 haj pilgrims who were supposed to return to Singapore on a June 23 Scoot flight from Jeddah were affected when the flight was cancelled. An alternative flight via Malaysia Airlines was subsequently arranged, and the pilgrims safely landed back in Singapore on June 25, he said. Scoot had earlier cited operational and safety considerations for cancelling some flights to and from Jeddah, amid military strikes between Israel and Iran. Prof Faishal, who was at the airport to welcome home the final batch of haj pilgrims, said there were also some Singaporeans studying in the Middle East who were stranded after having booked flights home. They included students from Islamic universities in Jordan and Egypt, such as Al-Azhar University. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore has contacted the students, and they are currently on their journey back to Singapore, he added. Prof Faishal said that all Singaporean haj pilgrims who performed their pilgrimage in 2025 have returned to Singapore safely. The haj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and takes place over five or six days. In 2025, Singapore and Saudi Arabia struck a deal to allow 900 slots for Singaporeans to perform the haj pilgrimage. Family members welcome back the final group of Singaporean haj pilgrims at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on June 25. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR At the airport, Prof Faishal congratulated the Saudi Arabian government for its 'tremendous effort' in organising a successful haj for 1.67 million pilgrims around the world. He also noted that there were about 890 outpatient visits in 2025 to the Singapore Pilgrims' Affairs Office (Spao) in Shisha and Madinah. Spao introduced a hybrid model for medical services in 2024, working closely with a Saudi-based medical service provider and appointing medical professionals to be attached to respective haj travel agents for the medical needs of pilgrims. Prof Faishal said: 'Spao's hybrid model worked well with medical teams from both Singapore and Saudi, and we were able to provide medical attention and quality care to our pilgrims.' Prof Faishal, who took over the Muslim Affairs portfolio from Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli in May, said he has received encouraging feedback from pilgrims and their family members that bus services and facilities in Arafah and Mina, two significant locations in Makkah, have improved. He urged returning pilgrims to continue monitoring their health and to seek medical attention if they feel unwell. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
1960s NatSteel building, former Pasir Panjang English School proposed for conservation
The National Iron and Steel Mills, known as NatSteel today, was the first factory set up in the Jurong Industrial Estate in 1961. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE – The first stages of Changi Airport and Singapore's MRT system – which have today become pillars of the country's transport system – opened in the 1980s. What is not as widely known is that at the core of these projects was steel from the National Iron and Steel Mills – the first factory set up in the Jurong Industrial Estate in 1961. Known as NatSteel today, the firm has remained at its original location for the past six decades, with its former main office building still standing. Called the Steel Pavilion, the two-storey building – which is more than six decades old – has been proposed for conservation under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025, in recognition of NatSteel's contributions to Singapore's economy. While relatively unknown and sitting in a far-flung part of the island, the Steel Pavilion's proposed conservation is the latest sign of URA's shifting approach towards conservation. Having kept a significant number of structures from the colonial era – which form the bulk of the country's more than 7,200 conserved buildings and structures – URA has in recent times increasingly looked to conserve heritage markers from the period surrounding Singapore's independence in 1965. Also proposed for conservation are the former Pasir Panjang English School at 24 Yew Siang Road and 20 buildings at the former Bukit Timah Turf City, which will be redeveloped into a new housing estate, URA said at the draft masterplan exhibition launch on June 25. The former Pasir Panjang English School, pictured behind its gates on June 21. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG These add to five previously announced sites that are also slated for conservation, such as the former Turf City's two grandstands, former housing blocks in Dakota Crescent and Jurong Hill Tower. URA said the former school is an example of standardised designs for schools built with timber in the 1920s and 1930s, and was one of the first schools in Pasir Panjang when it opened in January 1933. The school closed in 1986, and its premises were used from 1999 to 2024 by Breakthrough Missions – a drug rehabilitation centre. URA said it would conserve the former school's U-shaped main building, which stands as an example of the development of Singapore's schools and education system. Public agencies are considering integrating the building, which is now vacant, into a future residential development. Meanwhile, URA's proposal to conserve 20 buildings at the former Bukit Timah Turf City – in addition to the former racecourse's North and South grandstands – follows a study that assessed the feasibility of retaining 27 heritage structures at the site. The internal courtyard of the former Pasir Panjang English School, encircled by a classroom block and greenery. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Of the five not earmarked for conservation, two are horse bridges that may be retained but not conserved, while the other three, located in the Fairways Quarters – where Turf Club workers lived – were found to be structurally unsound. The buildings to be conserved include bungalows that were occupied by the club's management and their families, stables, workers' quarters and the former Dunearn Water Depot, which housed a Water Department district office and flats for the depot's officers. An artist's impression of the former Pasir Panjang English School restored and adaptively reused as part of a future residential development. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 'Taken together, these buildings represent key yet different facets of the former racecourse's history and functional ecosystem,' URA said. 'Repurposing these selected buildings as part of the future housing estate will create a distinctive environment for future residents and communities.' On June 25, the agency revealed a new thematic framework that will aid its selection of sites and buildings for retention. The framework groups structures into four themes – economy, housing, social and defence – which represent the building blocks of Singapore's development. It will 'support the identification of selected sites that represent Singapore's history and development over the past 60 years'. An artist's impression of how the former Fairways Quarters could be integrated to serve as a community-centric node as part of a well-connected and accessible estate. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Under 'economy' are infrastructural developments for commercial, industrial, transport and utility purposes that supported Singapore's growth, while 'housing' includes shophouses, high-rise public housing and mixed-use developments. The 'social' theme – which the former Pasir Panjang English School is classified under – includes medical facilities, schools, places of worship, event venues and sports facilities, while parked under 'defence' are military, law enforcement, fire security and facilities such as army camps and airbases. URA on June 25 also announced that it had identified three new identity nodes in Siglap, Moonstone Lane Estate and Newton, taking the number of such nodes from 18 to 21. Identity nodes, which have been earmarked since 2002, are areas with distinctive character and charm that the agency seeks to retain through methods such as rolling out design guidelines for new developments. URA said Siglap has a laid-back atmosphere that exudes a unique urban charm, while Moonstone Lane Estate's 'intimate waterfront setting and rich multicultural history' will be retained. It envisages that the upcoming neighbourhood in Newton will be community-centric, with greenery, heritage and identity woven into the area. Building on the identity nodes, URA in 2022 introduced five identity corridors as part of its long-term plan – a conceptual plan that looks into the country's needs for the next 50 years and beyond, and is reviewed every decade. At each corridor, the agency aims to strengthen the identity and character of areas along it, while improving walking and cycling infrastructure. Upgrades to three corridors have been planned based on public engagements. At the Historic East corridor, which covers Geylang and Changi, a new pedestrian mall will be developed along East Coast Road, near where it intersects with Joo Chiat Road. The pedestrian mall will stretch between i12 Katong shopping centre and Katong V mall. URA said the mall could include landscaping, seating, recreational spaces for visitors, as well as for community events and activities. As for the Kallang River corridor, public agencies are planning a new waterfront park between Serangoon Road and Bendemeer Road. The upcoming park at Kallang River could serve as a pit stop for cyclists travelling from Bishan to the city along the Kallang Park Connector, and as a new community space for local residents and visitors. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Improvements will also be made to the riverbank fronting St Andrew's Village, with the possibility of outdoor classrooms for students from nearby schools. New cycling paths along the riverbank fronting St Andrew's Village will connect to the Kallang Park Connector, enhance connectivity in the area and allow more people to enjoy the waterfront. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY At the Inner Ring corridor, which links fringe districts around the city centre, a stretch of Zion Road between Ganges Avenue and River Valley Road will be repurposed to accommodate wider walking and cycling paths. Am artist's impression of the stretch of Zion Road that will be repurposed for wider walking and cycling paths. PHOTO: NATIONAL PARKS BOARD By 2030, new cycling paths will also be added to the western stretch of this corridor, between Outram and Orchard, and the eastern stretch, along Lavender Street and between Kallang Road and Balestier Road. Ng Keng Gene is a correspondent at The Straits Times, reporting on issues relating to land use, urban planning and heritage. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
