Calibre Issue 19 2018 Gran Turismo

THE PINNACLE OF SPORTS LUXURY

ISSUE 19 | 2018

AFRICA FOREVER

RONALDO X MESSI

Behind the lenses of globetrotter, Teo Chuen Hoon.

The greatest debate of our century.

• Izwan Mahbud, National custodian • The Camp Nou Experience • The Future of England • HSBC Singapore Sevens • Longines Conquest V.H.P

ISSUE 19 | 2018 B O L D I N K M A G A Z I N E S P T E LT D

GRAN-TURISMO Breaking down the definition of the Italian term.

S$8.50

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CONTENTS IS SUE 19 | 2018

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THE LOCKER ROOM

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FRENCH DILEMMA

France has the potential to send three teams to the World Cup.

FOR GREENER PASTURES

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YOUNG AND DANGEROUS

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KING FOR A REASON

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Where is Antoine Griezmann headed?

Is Trae Young the new Steph Curry?

Lebron James to the NFL?

COMPETE BACK TO THE ‘WIE-NER’S CIRCLE

Michelle Wie claiming the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

CAMP NOU EXPERIENCE

Nick Po heads to Barcelona to experience the Catalan atmosphere.

READY TO ROCK RUCK AND RUMBLE

In light of the Singapore Sevens, how has rugby evolved through the years?

THE GRANDEST OF THEM ALL Gran-Turismo is the word.

THE FUTURE IS GREEN Saving the environment one drive at a time.

NATIONAL OBSESSION The future of the English football team.

HAPPY FEET

FootJoy Tour-S provides immaculate comfort and performance.

PUTT FOR DOUGH

Scotty Cameron’s Select Series.

TAKING HER SERIOUS-LEE

National icon defending her championship.

September 2014

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CONTENTS IS SUE 19 | 2018

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MVP THE SAVIOR

Izwan Mahbud, National pride.

THE GREAT DEBATE

The era of Ronaldo & Messi.

THE MAN BEHIND IT ALL

Francis Lee for Porsche and the WTA.

AWAY DAY AFRICA FOREVER

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Behind the lens of globetrotter Teo Chuen Hoon.

VICTORY

64 ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona 66 Partnership HUBLOT

with Juventus for the

Classic Fusion.

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Partnership with Chelsea for the Big Bang.

68 LONGINES

Conquest V.H.P Commonwealth Games.

70 MERCEDES-BENZ

S-Class defining luxury.

71 MASERATI

The takeover of hybrid car starts here.

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Grand Cherokee is high and mighty.

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September 2014

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HONDA

The Civic Type-R’s evolution in two decades.

MACALLAN TRIPLE CASK MATURED

An all-new packaging and design for The Macallan collection.

REMY MARTIN CARTE BLANCHE EDITION

Carte Blanche is the true expression of the House of Remy Martin.

PORTRAITS

78 CLUB MED X LACOSTE 79 DFS MASTERS OF WINES AND SPIRITS 80 THE FINAL WHISTLE

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THE PINNACLE OF SPORTS LUXURY

PUBLISHERS Jacqueline Wong jacqueline@boldink.com.sg Jasmin Oh jasmin@boldink.com.sg

EDITORIAL Editor / Jackie Teo jackie@boldink.com.sg Associate Editor / Lionel Kong lionel@boldink.com.sg

CONTRIBUTORS Sean Long, Nick Po, Jonathan Lee

CREATIVE Creative Director / Johnny Tan Associate Art Director / Jacinta Chong

ADVERTISING SALES Director / Jacqueline Wong jacqueline@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 9790 0905 Senior Sales Executive / Fiona Lee fiona@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 8808 0917

MARKETING Senior Marketing Executive / Estelle Teo estelle@boldink.com.sg Tel: +65 9737 0869

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Tel: +65 6223 4258 circulations@boldink.com.sg Printed in Singapore by Stamford Press Pte Ltd, Co. Reg. No. 196300196M

is a publication of Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd 201A Thomson Road Singapore 307637 Tel: +65 6223 4258 Bold Ink Magazines Pte Ltd, Co. Reg. No. 201202104C MCI (P) 098/06/2017 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

The views and opinions expressed or implied in CALIBRE are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers and advisory board.

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CONTRIBUTORS

ONG CHEOW ENG

AZFAR HASHIM To this automotive industry veteran, solace is driving along a nice empty road, most of it across the Causeway. However an epic road trip in North America is still at the top of his bucket list. And when he’s free, you can find him happily tinkering on his old Beemer. This issue, Azfar discusses GT cars.

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MARTIN WILLIAMS Martin Williams has lived in Singapore for over 28 years and now calls it home. He has been involved in the rugby scene throughout that time, playing for Bucks Rugby Club, and was a national team player (7’s and 15’s) from 1994 to 2007.

He is currently Vice-President of the Singapore Rugby and is Chairman of the National Teams Commission.

NICK PO An avid traveller and sports enthusiast, Nick has his head wrapped in the athletic industry for a long time. A wealth of experience in western pop and sports culture, he is a walking Wikipedia. After a memorable trip to Camp Nou, Nick debates whether Ronaldo or Messi is the true king.

Cheow Eng is an avid golf enthusiast who writes about the sport a lot better than he can play it. Off the fairways, he appreciates the fluidity of mixed martial arts and he has been on the Manchester United bandwagon since their first and only Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

THE DEFINITIVE ONLINE GUIDE FOR RUNNERS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.

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Be in the know of the latest running apparels and gadgets as well as upcoming races in Singapore and all over the world.

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EDITOR’S

NOTE

WORLD CUP FEVER

Four years ago, an all-knowing individual predicted the Die Mannschaft to win the World Cup, and his prophecy gained nationwide attention, especially during the 7-1 thumping of host Brazil in the semifinals. Unless you have been living under a rock, the name of the sapient being is none other than ‘Andy’s Father’, a fictional character on a gambling prevention advertisement.

The irony, coming from a council that is preventing social fallout from problem gambling. Who needs Paul the Octopus when you have the NCPG. Banter aside, the Germans are still very much hot favourites, even with the retirement of Klose, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and Podolski. They are blessed with the injection of talented and Bundesliga-proven young blood in Kimmich, Werner, Sane, and Brandt. The midfield quintuplet of Reus, Kroos, Ozil, Khedira, and Muller can break down any defence in a split second.

ry Me meeting Frank Ribent. at an Audi eve

How about the Seleção? Always tipped at any international event, Brazil also possess more than enough to incapacitate any team (except the Germans), relying on their Samba style of play. With big names like Neymar, Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, and Firmino to lead the five-time World Champions, the Canarinho is in good hands. And I’d bet they’d like to exact some revenge on the Bavarians for their less than friendly demolition at home.

Moving on to individual accolades, the top scorer for the World Cup is most likely Harry Kane, despite predicting an early England exit in the group stages. Looking at the rate that he’s claiming goals, he would easily surpass Ronaldo, Messi and David Villa to be the only player to score for every country in the World Cup. What an era to be in for us football fans.

The usual pre-World Cup hype has been hitting the town, and a lot of conversations between my friends revolve around major upsets and the finals that punters look forward to. Me, personally, I’m most eager for Andy’s Father’s predictions.

JACKIE TEO Editor

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THE LOCKER ROOM EQUIPMENT, GADGETS, NEWS AND REVIEWS

The Master Craftsman Scotty Cameron is back with the Newport 2 series.

Photo from Titleist

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THE LOCKER ROOM

FRENCH DILEMMA The French contingent are heading into the World Cup as one of favourites among punters, ranking just behind 2014 winners Germany and the Neymar-led Seleção. There is unrest brewing for the Les Bleus, ironically, good trouble.

Manager Didier Deschamps is predicted to suffer a headache heading into June, as he is spoilt for choices for virtually every position, notably his front trio. At his disposal are names such as Antoine Griezmann, Alexandre Lacazette, Kylian Mbappé, and Anthony Martial. These four players with lethal attacking prowess would be a dream for any tactician to form their team around, but what about the rest?

Lyon’s Nabil Fekir has been on scintillating form, scoring 21 times in all games this season. Chelsea’s Oliver Giroud is a proven scorer, who has netted 17 goals in the Premier League since 2012/13 as a substitute, nearly twice as many as the second runner up - Daniel Sturridge. How about Atletico Madrid’s Kevin Gameiro with a career tally of 183 finishes? Don’t even get started on Barcelona’s outcast Ousmane Dembélé.

On the back-end of the pitch there are two players each from Paris SaintGermain, Barcelona, Manchester City and Marseille while one from Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Monaco. 11 elite defenders from top tier teams.

Between the sticks Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola. France could very much send two teams and still reach the finals. Go figure.

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Photo from PUMA

The centre of the pitch allows three midfielders, Deschamps has eleven; barring injuries. Premium defensive players like N’Golo Kante, Tiémoué Bakayoko and Blaise Matuidi.

Creative number 10’s in Paul Pogba and Corentin Tolisso. With a fleet of pacey wingers such as Thomas Lemar, Kingsley Coman and Florian Thauvin, injuries might actually assist Deschamps in making critical decisions.

FOR GREENER PASTURES Considered by many as one of the integral chess-pieces of the French football team, Antoine Griezmann has his names on the lips of many pundits for a move in the summer. The 26-yearold shot to fame in Atletico Madrid after a €30m transfer from Real Sociedad, scoring a scintillating 83 goals in the last three seasons.

Among the big names vying for his signature are Manchester United who are keen for a solution to their striking problems, despite a marquee signing of Romelu Lukaku earlier this season, who is struggling to link up with the teammates. League rivals Barcelona has also been reported to be interested in the Frenchman, with the move even backed by the five time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.

The ambassador for PUMA has been attempting to find his lethal form of last season, with his goals not hitting double digits despite being half-way through the season. His style of play has been praised by critics, with the ability of scoring with both foot, inside and outside the box, while his aerial prowess is respectable despite his small stature.

The humorous Griezmann triggered rumours of a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain when he admitted it would be a ‘dream’ to play with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Talks of the versatile forward leaving the Wanda Metropolitano has however, been repeatedly shut down by Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.

Photo from PUMA

On the flip-side, the long awaited return of Diego Costa could see Griezmann leaving for good.

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Photo from Jackson Lavamway

THE LOCKER ROOM

YOUNG AND DANGEROUS A 6-foot-2 point guard that averages 27.5 points per game and 8.9 assists.

A player that consistently shoots threes from way beyond the arc.

Sounds like Golden State Warrior’s Stephen Curry?

aspired to be like them.

The tremendous media hype he received was attributed to his one-man army mentality, making ridiculous shot after shot due to his team’s serious lack of talent.

Introducing Trae Young.

Young’s only weakness is his inability to create shots for himself due to his athletic ability. He lacks the explosiveness needed by guards in the league (think Russell Westbrook and John Wall) to create spaces for himself near the rim. However the same can be said of Curry, who is currently amongst the top-2 guards in the NBA.

Currently representing the Oklahoma Sooners at the University of Oklahoma, the 19-year-old is just one of many prospect for the upcoming NBA draft class of 2018. Young made history by being the first player to lead the NCAA in scoring and assists for the season, and has been selected by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to receive the 2017-18 Wayman Tisdale Award as the National Freshman Player of the Year. The Texas native has stated that Curry and Nash (Steve) were his inspirations and

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At the third or fourth pick, Young is likely to be headed to Memphis or Orlando whom both desperately need point guards that are natural perimeter players.

KING FOR A REASON Lebron James is an athletic freak of nature. The 6-foot-8 Cleveland Cavaliers small forward is anything but small in physical attributes, with him also weighing at a reported 250 pounds (113kg). James has a great regime for conditioning himself, and despite being in his midthirties, is still one of the fastest and physically robust players on the court.

Throughout his 14-year career in the NBA, James has only missed 69 games, which averages out to 5 games a year.

Recently, the four-time MVP has been recruited by JuJu Smith-Schuster to the Pittsburgh Steelers, in an effort to convince ‘The King’ to switch sports and cities.

Photo by Nike

Sports enthusiasts would have heard of James’ heroics during his high-school years as he actively pursued football, with basketball being his secondary option. In his first varsity game during his freshman year, a 14-year-old Lebron James grabbed a school record nine receptions, two touchdowns and accumulated over 100 receiving yards. It was at that time, everyone knew the kid from Akron was special. In his sophomore year, he was being recruited by Ohio State, Florida State, Notre Dame and USC not for his playing abilities on the court however, but rather as a wide receiver.

To put his numbers into context, James ran the 40-yard dash at 4.6 seconds. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr completed it at 4.43 seconds. Not to forget OBJ has 50-pounds less on him and 9-inches shorter. James also passes the ball at up to 40 miles per hour, and can hit a target who is about 12 yards away faster than New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Adding in a recorded 44-inch vertical, Lebron Raymone James could not be any more of a perfect athlete.

A former NBA legend tried competing in the Minor league baseball but came up way short. Try the NFL.

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THE LOCKER ROOM

HAPPY FEET A household name in golfing shoes and apparel, FootJoy’s all-new Tour-S is developed through the top players of the world of professional golf. The new release aims to provide superior stability, premium performance, and an aesthetically pleasing reason to be out on the course more.

The FJ Launch Pods, TPU Power Strap and the proprietary PowerPlate outsole on the Tour-S is the result of a long-lasting collaboration with the professional players on the PGA Tour.

This network of elite players helped the development of the shoe by deducing what golfers need from their shoes to help performance. Currently, having two-thirds of the players on Tour wearing FootJoys is a nod to their impeccable quality.

Photo from FootJoy

The Tour-S PowerPlate outsole features a lightweight yet stable base for players to efficiently execute weight transfers throughout the swing.

Built on a foundation of proprietary Pebax polymer that is typically 20% lighter than others, the PowerPlate boasts an integrated carbon weave

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fiberglass mid-foot plate and nine LaunchPods™, to create additional structure, surface area for maximum ground coverage and stability.

Maintaining a secure fit is imperative for any shoe. The Tour-S included PowerStrap, a moulded piece integrated into the shoe’s upper to provide medial and lateral support across the whole shoe.

Utilising a dual-density PU Fit-Bed, the shoes ensure an all-day underfoot comfort. Crafted with FootJoy’s exclusive premium performance leather sourced from the Pittards of England, the shoes offers exceptional feel, finish and protection from inclement weather.

Available at all authorised FootJoy retailers.

PUTT FOR DOUGH

The 2018 Select models improved on the proven multi-material construction methodology of combining face inlays of either 303 stainless steel or 6061 aircraft-grade aluminium with stainless steel bodies for balance, weight distribution, sound and feel.

The new Scotty Cameron Select line consists of seven modern blade and mid-mallet models. Back on the line-up are the Newport and Newport 2 while the modern Fastback maintains its position in the mid-mallet series. A new face on the block is the remodelled Select Laguna, a contemporary take on a classic design.

To preserve visual appeal, contours and sight cues were refined to enhance alignment issues. The research and development team

focused on thinning top-line appearances by giving each a slightly rounder radius. Plumbing neck dimensions, edges and angles have been squared up for a cleaner look from address.

The improved sound and feel are the result of more vibration dampening material connecting face inlays with putter bodies. The connecting screws are slightly larger to account for the increased material and the surface compression necessary to produce the feedback demanded by the players to aid in distance control and diagnosing mishits.

The four-way balanced sole design promotes quick setup and alignment during address. The balance point of each putter’s sole has been modified to account for the weight of the shaft and grip during impact. This results in a putter that sits perfectly square at address for easier alignment on any lie.

Photo from Titleist XXXXXXXXX

Under the watchful eye and mind of renowned putter craftsman, the next generation of Scotty Cameron Select putters introduces a new four-way sole balancing technology designed for performance at the elite level with precision milling and aesthetics.

The Scotty Cameron 2018 Select putters are available at all authorised retailers.

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Photo from ONE Championship

THE LOCKER ROOM

TAKING HER SERIOUS-LEE Defending the Women’s Atomweight World Champion title for the third time, Angela Lee is raring to return to the cage after a major car accident put her on the side-lines since November 2017. Taking on the Singaporean sweetheart is none other than Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi, whom Lee originally defeated to claim the inaugural women’s title of ONE Championship. Fans of the mix martial arts promotion can expect a neck-to-neck battle between the two ladies as the veteran’s desire for revenge is pit against the champion’s long awaited return.

Boasting an 8-0 record, submission specialist Lee has forced seven of her opponents to

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tap out so far. Yamaguchi on the other hand, despite having recorded ten losses, all of which were by decision - affirming her capacity to fight till the bell rings.

The pressure is however on Lee, as the Canadian-born recently stated on her social media account that she intends to challenge China’s Xiong Jingnan, who is the current strawweight champion. Lee is on a mission to be the very first dual-division women champion of ONE Championship.

ONE: Unstoppable Dreams will be held 18th May, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

COMPETE TRENDS, ANALYSIS AND KEY HAPPENINGS

Back To Winning Ways Michelle Wie clinches the HSBC Women’s World Championship in dramatic fashion.

Photo from HSBC Getty Images

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COMPETE

BACK TO THE ‘WIE-NERS’ CIRCLE Michelle Wie ends her four-year title drought at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.

TEXT: ONG CHEOW ENG PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES FOR HSBC

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fter sinking that stupendous 35-foot birdie putt to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship, Michelle Wie has cemented her status as the most enduring figure currently on the LPGA Tour.

Indeed, the Stanford graduate always has the knack of staying relevant and competitive especially when critics are starting to write her off. Wie was winless after her 2014 U.S. Open triumph and while she enjoyed a few top-10 finishes in recent history, the many injuries she has suffered in her career and the emergence of a generation of talented and exciting golfers would probably mean that the winning days of her career are behind her. Of course, that perception has changed dramatically after her victory at the Tanjong layout of the Sentosa Golf Club.

Wie was five shots behind the 54-hole leader, Nelly Korda, going into Sunday, but after a flawless, seven-under-par 65, she edged in front of Jenny Shin, Brooke Henderson, Danielle Kang, and Korda, to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship by a single shot.

The Honolulu-born Hawaiian made three birdies before making the turn and sunk three more on holes 10, 13 and 14 to grab a share of the lead. After her approach to the 18th green fell short, almost everyone was expecting a five-way playoff. Wie had other ideas, though. With a putter in her hand, she made a smooth, confident stroke and the ball went straight to the centre of the hole.

Shrieks of delight and multiple fist pumps ensued. She knew she got it in the bag.

In the final round, Wie hit 14 out of 18 greens in regulation and only made 25 putts. The victory is her fifth on the LPGA Tour and her first in Asia.

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Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

I think that has to be the best putt of my career so far.

My win means everything.

There’s no better feeling.

It’s what makes you practice,

Michelle Wie celebrates with the winner’s trophy after the final round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club on March 4, 2018 in Singapore.

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Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

COMPETE

The field of the tournament has always been regarded as one of the most elite on the LPGA Tour schedule, and rightly so. It comprised of the top 20 players on the Rolex Ranking, tournament winners in 2017 and 2018 as well as winners of the tournament in the last two years. This win is certainly a feather in Wie’s cap.

Danielle Kang and her caddie fist bump after her third shot on the 16th hole during round two.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“Everyone was really clustered up there on the leader board. I’m just really proud of myself for making a lot of birdies and keep going, and never really getting out of my head, which I’m very proud of doing today,” said Wie, on her Win in Singapore.

“I think that has to be the best putt of my career so far.

My win means everything. There’s no better feeling.

It’s what makes you practice,” Wie added.

FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL Danielle Kang started the HSBC Women’s World Championship bizarrely. On Thursday morning, she broke her tooth before her first round.

“I fell asleep stretching; that was one incident,” said Kang, responding to a reporter from Golf Digest. “And then I was eating and it broke. My dentist told me I had chipped another one before, and he said, ‘you don’t break it at that moment.’ It’s been broken and it just chips off. So I don’t know how it broke.”

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Danielle Kang of the United States plays her shot from the 14th tee during round three of the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club.

That little episode did not affect her performance, as she went out to shoot a 68 that day, followed by a course-record-tying 64 in round two to take a four-shot lead going into the weekend.

Eventually, the one-time LPGA Tour winner had to settle for tied-second after carding matching 70s in rounds three and four.

The 25-year-old golfer was one of the most accomplished amateur golfers of her era, having won back-to-back U.S. Women Amateur titles in 2010 and 2011. She enjoyed her breakthrough win in 2017, at the 2017 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, a Major tournament. Kang won that tournament by one shot over her closest competitor and good friend, Brooke Henderson.

Speaking of Henderson, she was well in contention to win the HSBC Women’s World Championship, but like Kang, the Canadian failed to capitalise on the opportunities and she, too, had to settle for a share of second place.

Henderson, just 20 years old, currently has five wins on the LPGA Tour, including a victory at the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. If anything, her exemplary showing off and on the fairways in Singapore has reiterated her potential to be a successful superstar in the women’s professional game.

Nelly earned her LPGA Tour card for 2017 after finishing ninth on the Symetra Tour money list the year before.

Her best results so far were a couple of tied-fifth finishes at the Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic and the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

After starting her tournament in Singapore with a 70, Nelly shot a 66-65 to grab the 54-hole lead. If she had maintained her position at the top of the leader board at the end of Sunday, the Kordas would be the second pair of sisters to win back-to-back titles since 2000, when Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam won the Welch’s Circle K and Standard Register PING in successive weeks.

“I had a bunch of putts that were really close and a lot of them lipped and burned edges. It definitely hurts, but that’s golf,” Korda said. “There’s going to be another tournament. There’s going to be another feeling like this. Just have to keep going forward”.

And, that was exactly what the champion did. ‘Big Wiesy’ brushed aside her injury woes and loss of for, kept going, and was rewarded for her perseverance.

Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

SISTER ACT Jessica Korda of the United States won her fifth LPGA Tour title the week before the HSBC Women’s World Championship, and while she maintained her good form with a tied-10th finish, many eyes were on the other Korda – Jessica’s younger sister, Nelly.

Nelly Korda reacts to her birdie on the 18th green during round two of the HSBC Women’s World Championship

“It’s been a tough journey since 2014. I think it’s been kind of well documented. You know, I’ve had some injuries, had a really bad year, just lost a lot of confidence,” Wie said.

“But I’m just really proud of myself for pulling myself out of it. I felt like I had a good year last year, a year where I built confidence, and I just want to keep building confidence from there.”

(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

There’s going to be another tournament.

There’s going to be another feeling like this. Just have to keep going forward

Nelly Korda plays her shot from the second tee during the final round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club

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COMPETE

THE CAMP NOU EXPERIENCE Match Day Sights and Sounds – FC Barcelona hosts Athletic Bilbao TEXT: NICK PO PHOTOS: NICK PO

T

he four words, “to the Camp Nou,” actually escaped my mouth. Sitting in the back of the cab with two buddies, fellow football fans of the highest order, the excitement is palpable.

Perhaps a little context is necessary to place this experience into perspective. This was a pilgrimage to the Sagrada Di Blaugrana – another Catalan cathedral that the likes of Kubala and Cruyff laid the foundations for.

After all, Catalunya is a place where sports, politics and culture converges ever so perfectly. And the Blaugrana are Catalan identity and pride personified – the true embodiment of a people and their culture. Passing by the verdures (vegetable) stores and the farmacias, the Sunday drive to the Camp Nou is pleasant, quiet, and calm. The streets are empty, most of Spain shuts down on Sunday. On match days, like arteries tracing their way towards the heart, all roads seem to lead to Les Corts, the unassuming neighbourhood that surrounds the stadium.

Camp Nou has a seating capacity of 99,354.

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Dropped off half a klick from the gates, the energy is apparent. Wandering alongside the throngs of fans meandering toward the numerous entranceways,

New arrival Phillipe Coutinho taking a corner for Barcelona.

passing by the make shifts stands selling any and all forms of memorabilia, and of course, the scalpers hawking last-minute tickets printed out with bootleg QR codes. Tickets scanned, spectators are ushered through the gates. Once inside, a carnival atmosphere is revealed.

Wandering alongside the throngs of fans meandering toward the numerous entrance ways, passing by the make shifts stands selling any and all forms of memorabilia, and of course, the scalpers hawking last-minute tickets printed out with bootleg QR codes.

For many Catalans it’s a typical weekend, a time for family and mates, with a steady flow of food and drink.

Kids kitted out in blaugrana crimson and blue scuttle around, most have the name Messi or Suarez on their backs – devotion to the team in these parts starts from a right tender age. Troupes of stilt walkers accompanied by the percussion of drums and trumpets move through the crowd, the steady drumbeat reverberating the anticipation that starts building as kick-off approaches.

Everything changes when you enter the stadium proper. The three tiers of the Camp Nou rise up into the golden blue sky, as the 93,000 seats slowly begin to fill.

While the prematch formalities might make for decent television, the live atmosphere of the stadium is abound with distraction pulling your attention in a thousand different directions. Then the hush falls as the field clears and only 22 men are left standing. The ball rolls from the centre circle and suddenly all eyes are fixed on the drama that unfolding on the immaculate carpet of emerald green. That is until the ball reaches the feet of the diminutive man wearing Barcelona’s famed no.10.

“Messi. Messi. Messi.” The name rings out like a low crescendo around the stadium, the worshipping crowd dragging out every letter and syllable of the maestro’s name – there is no mistaking who the king in this castle is.

There is hype and there is reality, and often a mixture of anticipation and imagination means falling short of expectation. But then again Lionel Messi is something

Right outside the gates of Camp Nou.

else entirely. Ghosting onto the ball even with the eyes of an entire stadium transfixed, he cuts into a slither of space between two defenders, jinking right before spinning left. To see him move and control the ball, sending passes perfectly to the feet of teammates that you didn’t even know were there, and you can’t help but wonder – this must be like watching Mozart conduct a symphony.

A once-in-a -generation talent like Messi has a tendency to make complete fools out of mere mortals. And yes, of course he scored a goal. Yet, one cannot help but appreciate the other gifted athletes on display. Jordi Alba’s trickery and pace. The size and presence of Pique and Umtiti, Ivan Rakatic’s vision and composure. Some might say true perfection is rooted in simplicity. And with the magnificent teams on display, it’s a wonder to behold.

The movement and spacing, the pace and ease with which the ball flies and glides across the pitch. They all make it look so easy, so simple.

The only other moment went the exultant masses give pause is when El Capita enters the game.

“Iniesta. Iniesta. Iniesta.” The cheers ring out clear and true around the stadium, such is the reverence the crowd holds for the man they call San Andres.

The final score for the game might have been 2-0, but to be honest, it’s impossible to catch all the action. From the beating drums and hardcore cheers reverberating from the Ultras in the Gol Baix section at the Southern end, to all the subtleties and nuances that occur on the pitch that the cameras often fail to pick up, there’s simply too much to take in. Because the spectacle of 90,000 people cheering, screaming and worshipping in unison in the hallowed cathedral that is the Camp Nou is really so much more than just a feast for the eyes.

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The HSBC Rugby Sevens Singapore will be held 28-29 April at the National Stadium.

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READY TO ROCK, RUCK & RUMBLE

A weekend to remember - HSBC Singapore Sevens 2018 TEXT: MARTIN WILLIAMS PHOTOS: DAVID ASH, SINGAPOREMAVEN

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y face paint is ready, my fancy dress costume hanging in the wardrobe and my ticket is on the sideboard - yes, I’m all set for the HSBC Singapore Sevens 2018. Held at the National Stadium on 28 & 29 April 2018, the tournament, once again, promises to provide us with the greatest sporting entertainment of the year.

The game of rugby 7’s originated in Melrose, Scotland, in 1883 when the club decided to run a pre-season fund raising event. It was such a success that it was turned into an annual event which is still held to this day. Sevens remained rooted in the Scottish borders until 1926, when the renowned Middlesex 7’s was first organized.

The World Cup Sevens tournament was subsequently played every 4 years, until 2013 when, after the agreement of the IOC to include rugby 7’s in the 2016 Olympics, it was decided that it would be held in between Olympic years. The introduction to the Olympics has subsequently led to rugby’s inclusion in most multi-sport tournaments – for Singapore, this means potential involvement in the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the SEA Games.

The attraction of sevens rugby is easy to see. Shortened game times and full-sized pitches make for lots of entertainment and the traditionally relaxed atmosphere of 7’s tournaments have led to them being termed “festivals” as often as not. After the qualifying rounds, teams are split into the cup, plate, bowl and shield competitions, which gives all teams of differing standards something to play for. With the party atmosphere generated at these tournaments, it is the signal for everyone to let their hair down and have a good time.

Having said all that and recognizing the interest that 7’s rugby has help generate in the game, it is also important to note the challenges its popularity has brought for the 15-a-side game. As soon as it was announced, in 2009, that rugby sevens would become a part of the

A player down after a ruck.

Olympics in 2016, it immediately gained the focus of many countries around the world, outside the traditional rugby playing nations. The downside of that is that most government funding for rugby has become primarily focused on the sevens game, leaving the wider 15’s format struggling for official attention.

When I represented Singapore at the 1994 Hong Kong 7’s, the game was just turning professional. Officially, the sport only became openly professional in 1995 but many countries had effectively been professional at a national level for some time prior to that. Skill levels were roughly similar but the difference in physique between those I played against who were professional and those who were still amateur was already noticeable.

The advent of professionalism was inevitable, due to the competitive nature of international sport, but this has also created issues for the amateur game which has been left trailing in its wake.

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The HSBC Rugby Sevens Singapore is contracted till 2020, but talks are underway to extend it due to its great response from the public.

The Singapore leg of the International Sevens Series labels itself as ‘The Family Sevens’. To differentiate itself from its older, more established Asian cousin, the Hong Kong Sevens, Singapore rugby has positioned itself as providing family entertainment and focuses much of its activities on engaging the kids, as well as catering to us older ‘kids’ who will no doubt help to generate a fun, party atmosphere around the stadium.

The focus is not so much around partying but on introducing more people to the game and ensuring they have fun at the same time to create the association between rugby and good times. Hong Kong’s south stand has the party market cornered and, whilst I may have spent several afternoons of fun and frolics there in my younger days, I prefer the more sedate atmosphere of the Singapore Sevens these days. Of course, in Singapore, this calm, safe but nonetheless fun and enjoyable atmosphere is one which resonates harmoniously with the city itself. The Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) has recently submitted their application to World Rugby to extend the current rights to host the tournament from 2020 to 2023. This year we have

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Ben Gollings interacting with young and aspiring juniors.

made a combined bid to host both men’s and women’s sevens series, which we believe will help grow interest in the women’s game, in particular. This also will give us the potential opportunity to increase local interest in the event if the Singapore national team were able to participate. Singapore, itself, won the silver medal at last year’s SEA games in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Plans are currently being developed, under the new SRU leadership, for further improvements in all national team programmes, which we expect will lead to improved performances.

Success at these tournaments is critical to Singapore rugby and the level of funding and support it receives from the national sporting bodies and from our sponsors.

Without this support, we could not operate here, and the sport would be quickly marginalized.

We accept that, as the governing body for the sport, we need to do more to popularize the game, especially when competing against evolving sports such as floorball and ultimate-frisbee, which can grow organically, due to their unstructured nature.

DJ Forbes taking photos with attendees last year.

Players taking selfies with the fans.

The fans make up most of the bustling atmosphere.

There are still challenges ahead and questions that we need to address and answer, but we feel that we are at least on the right path, putting structures, processes and policies in place which will enable to do so objectively and sustainably.

The HSBC Singapore Sevens itself plays an integral part in the promotion and development of rugby in Singapore and helps to keep the sport in the spotlight of the national sporting bodies. To Singapore, it is one of the few truly world class sporting events to be held here on an annual basis and, as such, is closely monitored and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (almost 25% of the spectators will be from overseas) and Sports Singapore.

According to David Lim, chairman of Rugby Singapore, the commercial and events arm of the SRU, we want this to become “a commercially successful event to drive the development of the sport”. Singapore itself is a natural

hub for the staging of major events, partly due to its convenient location but primarily because of its reputation for organizational excellence.

The tournament favourites this year will be South Africa, |as they top the current HSBC World Sevens Series standings. However, they will be expecting a huge challenge from the Fijians, who have won 2 out of the last 3 tournaments. For players outside these teams, however, watch out for Nathan Hirayama from Canada, and Perry Baker from the USA – these are two players who will light up the tournament with their incredible pace and skills. Personally, I will be rooting for Wales in the hope that they can pull off the unexpected, as they did in 2009 when they came out of nowhere to win the World Cup Sevens in Dubai.

The World Cup Sevens tournament was subsequently played every 4 years, until 2013 when, after the agreement of the IOC to include rugby 7’s in the 2016 Olympics, it was decided that it would be held in between Olympic years.

Anyway, time now to sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

It’s going to be a hell of a ride, whoever wins, and I hope you all enjoy the occasion as much as I will.

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THE GRANDEST OF THEM ALL We delve a little deeper into the world of ‘GTs’ – has it evolved significantly over time?

TEXT: AZFAR HASHIM PHOTOS: BMW, MERCEDES-BENZ, AUDI, FERRARI, KIA, LEXUS, PORSCHE

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lipping through automotive-related magazines and websites, you might have come across the words ‘GT’ before. Have you ever wondered what does ‘GT’ means in the automotive world?

What GT simply means is - cue drum roll - ‘Grand Tourer’. Interestingly, this word was derived from Italian - gran turismo - and when it was first coined decades ago, refers to luxurious sports cars that has strong emphasis on speed, comfort over outright sportiness and most of the time, comes only with two doors. Rear seats are optional or even if there were any, are better used for ferrying baggage than humans.

In fact, some of the more renowned GTs of the past include models like the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing and 1960s Aston Martin DB5. Sporty handling and clocking outrageous speeds were not either’s forte, but instead both did the job with style, character and comfort for the driver and his sole passenger.

These days however, slapping the word ‘GT’ at the end of any car model is a trend. Unsurprisingly, some of these models may not even have the basis of a Grand Tourer. Seems that shifting consumer demands have, over time, successfully expanded the definition of this market segment.

MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GT S After the AMG SLS, the smaller AMG GT is the next sexy and svelte Grand Tourer in Mercedes-Benz’s stable that catches attention everywhere it goes. Powered by a 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine and matched to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, you can have the AMG GT in two flavours: A 456 bhp/600 Nm GT, or ‘spicier’ 503 bhp/700 Nm GT S. Since power is what we all usually crave for, lets focus more on the GT S variant. All thanks to that force-fed power plant, this car catapults forward in a shocking manner; despite that, grip is one of the car’s strongest suits. And if you have the impression that a rearwheel drive car will shake its rear and cause you to unglamorously lose control, Mercedes has engineered this car so well that it takes a lot to breach its limit. Equally powerful brakes also gives the driver extra assurance – perfect even if you want to take it to the racetrack. That said, there is also a trick automatic spoiler mounted on the boot that’s deployed at high-speed.

A true Grand Tourer, the cabin only seats two. Boot space on offer is 350-litres - almost comparable to the average family hatchback.

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S

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LEXUS LC 500 To date, the LC is the boldest car ever designed and produced by Lexus. And this is something that should be appreciated as it does add some flavour to an otherwise boring automotive landscape. Just look at its well-sculpted body and attention grabbing face (thanks largely to what Lexus calls the Spindle Grill); there is no way you could miss it in the crowd.

In keeping with the true definition of a Grand Tourer, Lexus maintained one important element in the LC 500: They gave it a good, big heart. Believe it or not, powering this Lexus is a naturally aspirated V8 5.0-litre engine that is paired to an industry first 10-speed automatic transmission.

Power output is a respectable 470 bhp/540 Nm, and needs only 4.7 seconds to do the zero to hero run.

Select the most aggressive mode and you will also be accompanied by a melodious exhaust tune that can be described as unforgettable.

The cabin is one of the best places to be in, this side of S$500k. Besides typical Lexus solid build quality, the driver-focused cockpit also makes you want to drive as far as the full tank of petrol could get you.

Porsche Panemera Sport Turismo

Did you know Mitsubishi, Mazda, Toyota and Subaru have their own versions of GT cars?

PORSCHE PANAMERA SPORT TURISMO This unique model is best reserved for individuals who want a Porsche with a unique body-style. At first glance, the Panamera Sport Turismo may come across as a wagon; but this is Porsche, hence calling it a ‘wagon’ may be a little insulting to the brand. Hence ‘sport wagon’ is the more appropriate label.

Now here is exactly where the lines are blurred – despite the wagon, err, sport wagon tag, fans of the brand insist it also qualifies as a Grand Tourer. Perhaps ‘Grand Grand Tourer’ may be more apt? After all, dimension wise it’s not significantly far off models like the AMG GT S and LC 500.

While the debate would need more editorial space, lets focus on the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo variant, which is the entry-level model in the local line-up.

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged V6 engine that is mated to the brand’s highly renowned 8-speed PDK transmission. Power output is 326 bhp/450 Nm, and it needs only 5.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill.

It is a special car to be driven on our expressway thanks to the fact that you can select different set ups; in Normal mode – this delivers comfort. If you feel a little playful however, choose Sport Plus and you can have a little more fun as it displays a highly dynamic character.

Lexus LC500

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AUDI RS5 COUPE The Audi RS5 Coupe was always known as a subtle beast. Why so? It had a 4.2-litre V8 engine that, on top of being a sonorous operator, has 450 bhp/430 Nm ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice; all that hidden under an unassuming coupe-styled body.

For 2018 however, Audi has made some changes to the RS5 Coupe’s plot: Power now comes courtesy of a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine that, paired with an 8-speed automatic, whips out 444 bhp and a staggering 600 Nm of torque. It even reaches 100 km/h from standstill in a manic 3.9 seconds; faster than the time you take to sneeze.

Like the Lexus LC 500, the Audi RS5 Coupe here has the same plot – a two-door with space at the back to ferry two extra passengers. Should be perfect also for long drives up North with more friends. And with a 465-litres boot space, room for bags as well.

Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system comes standard, so you know this car possess a high level of grip which is fun for twisty roads, like the sort you will find while climbing up Cameron Highlands. So, for the explorer who loves driving around Malaysia, this Grand Tourer should be perfect for you.

BMW 640i Gran Turismo

The “RS” initials are taken from the German: RennSport literally translated as “racing sport”. The characteristics and cost of these cars are equated to cars belonging to the supercar class.

BMW 640I GRAN TURISMO Something bold from BMW, we do not blame you if you have the impression this 640i Gran Turismo resembles an oversized hatchback.

Although it has five doors and look more suited for families - contradicting the original theme of a Grand Tourer - BMW designed this car to be a long-distance tool that also offers practicality by the buckets; and you can see this firstly through the large cabin that offers ample leg and headroom for all occupants.

Secondly, the 610-litres (rear seat up)/1,700-litres (rear seat stowed) boot capacity could fit all your travel, shopping bags, and more.

Powering the 640i GT is a 3.0-litre turbocharged sixcylinder engine good for 335 bhp/450 Nm. Despite its size and 1.9-tonne kerb weight, it needs only 5.3 seconds to reach 100 km/h from standstill.

Audi RS5 Coupe

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Ferrari GT4 Lusso

KIA STINGER GT Who would have thought a Korean manufacturer would be brave enough to produce a model that it had never competed in before? Well, now here is Kia with their take, the Stinger GT. Initially engineered for the American market, Kia somehow decided to make this model a global one instead, looking at how it would potentially attract buyers who want a powerful car that would not cost an arm and a leg (add a pair of corneas if you want something German).

The numbers alone are good enough to impress: 365 bhp/510 Nm courtesy of a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

0 to 100 km/h is dispatched in only 4.9 seconds, putting it dangerously close to its German counterparts that cost significantly more.

Like the 640i Gran Turismo, this Stinger GT also offers both comfort and practicality.

The GTC4Lusso is a further refinement of the shootingbrake coupe, reinterpreting the concept with an extremely streamlined, tapered shape that gives it an almost fastbacklike silhouette.

FERRARI GTC4 LUSSO Here’s the thing about Ferrari: They rarely produce cars that are undesirable.

A follow up to the FF - Ferrari’s first 3-door hatchback, remember? - The GTC4 Lusso here comes looking even better and sharper than the model it replaces.

Ahh… The Italians, always making things sexy.

Mamma Mia! There’s a 6.3-litre V12 engine under the hood, and paired to Ferrari’s own 7-speed F1 DCT auto, power output is a mind-numbing 680 bhp/697 Nm. With an all-wheel drive system in place, power is properly put down to the tarmac, even along fast, sweeping corners.

A large-sized Grand Tourer, the GTC4 Lusso offers a cabin that is properly spacious just so you can bring more friends along for those cross-country road trips; after all, this strict four-seater has seats that are individually sculpted for every occupant. And yes, Ferrari carried on the car’s practicality with a 450-litre boot.

A powerful, fast and practical Ferrari – sounds like a dream come true for most.

Kia Stinger GT

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THE FUTURE IS GREEN Hybrid and electric cars augur are here to stay, but the question is, how soon?

TEXT: BENJAMIN T PHOTOS: BMW, JAGUAR, WIKIMEDIA

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step on the accelerator immediately jerks the car forward. Like a bullet out of its chamber, the response is fast, too fast in fact as the surprise on the driver’s face tells it all. He’s truly excited to drive this. It is the BMW i3 and the only way to explain the sensation is to liken it to a golf cart on steroids.

The BMW i3 is a futuristic car, no doubt about that. From its compact, boxed out shape with sharply defining lines and curves, it is the one car that has broken the invisible chasm between concept and reality. And, the German luxury motoring giant believes it is here to stay.

In fact, they are so sold on the idea that they have developed an entire range of hybrid electric vehicles across their vast that includes the 225xe iPerformance, 330e iPerformace, 530e iPerformance, 740Le xDrive iPerformance, X5 xDrive40e iPerformance, and the top of line, i8.

But the i3 is the only one in the fleet that is completely electric, requiring a charge of about three hours using a BMW iWallbox for it to get to 80 percent capacity and 10 hours on the standard home-use 230-volt socket.

With a range 300km, or about 200km in everyday operation by the New European Driving Cycle standard, an upgraded variant of the i3 also comes with a range extender that basically carries a small fuel tank (600cc) that allows it to go another hundred in case the batteries run out.

BMW aside, other traditional carmakers have also jumped the bandwagon in various levels of commitment.

The Jaguar I-Pace represents one fine example from the quintessentially British carmaker. Like the i3, the I-Pace is built as a pure Battery Electric Vehicle (the company’s terms for fully electric cars) and it is as smart as it is fast.

BMW is one of the few automobile manufacturers that produce a range of electric cars.

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The I-PACE from Jaguar has only been released recently, and well received by car enthusiasts.

For a traditional motoring powerhouse like BMW to have a plug-in hybrid car as their top end model says a lot about where the world is headed to and how far vehicular technology has evolved.

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Propelled by two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors that generate 400 PS and 696 Nm of torque, the I-Pace can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has a range of 480 km, according to WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicle Test Procedure).

With a 50 kW DC rapid charger – the kind found at most public charging stations – the I‑Pace can achieve up to 270 km of range per hour.

There are three models currently available, the I-Pace S, SE and HSE, all offering an array of intelligent technologies such as Remote, Navigation Pro, Connect Pro (Smart Settings, Pro Services, a 4G Wi-Fi Hotspot), Smartphone Pack and Secure Tracker and a Touch Pro Duo, Interactive Driver Display.

Driving an electric car is also a pleasure. With petrol engines, the torque usually kicks in at the higher end of the range and with diesel, raw power can be felt from the lower range - below 3,000 rpm.

Electric cars has no such limitations as in the case of the i3 and I-Pace; the car propels forward with such immediacy and quietness that for many, it will undo years of driving expectations and radiate a strange feeling for the first time.

As such, petrol-heads who may scoff at green cars may want to think twice – The BMW i8 and Tesla Roadster will easily switch them.

For a traditional motoring powerhouse like BMW to have a plug-in hybrid car as their top end model says a lot about where the world is headed to and how far vehicular technology has evolved.

The BMW i8, with its imposing lightweight carbon-fibre gull wing doors, generates 374 hp and 570 Nm of torque. Those are not numbers normally found in your everyday road car.

The new BMW i8 Coupé accelerates to 100 km in just 4.4 seconds, launching it immediately to supercar status. But look at the consumption numbers and you’ll be awed. It has a combined consumption of only 1.9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of up to 42 g/km.

The Tesla Roadster is hands down the quickest car in the world. While it has been a well-documented fact, it still sends shock to anyone who finds out that it accelerates to 100 km/h in just under two seconds with a top speed of over 250 mph. That’s 402 km/h of raw speed we’re talking about. With a range of almost 1,000 km from its 200 kWh battery,

this all-wheel drive vehicle is not only fast, it can also take you from Singapore to Penang with room to spare for a four day trip without charging.

Coming back down to earth, the Tesla Model S, its sedan variant, comes is slightly slower at 2.5 seconds to the century mark and with a range of 540 km with its 100 kWh battery, it still goes further than most other hybrid or electric cars, let alone petrol or diesel powered ones.

One of the few luxury SUVs that comes in electric or hybrid.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said then that while all imported used cars must be tested individually, it was working with Tesla engineers to see if the Model S - which qualifies for tax breaks in most countries - was tested correctly in the first place.

The special sauce, it seems, lies in their dual motor allwheel drive system that provides independent traction to both front and back wheels that allows the Tesla to control traction and torque to every wheel.

Tesla Motors had informed the LTA that the Model S’s energy consumption was rated at 181 watt-hour/km when it left the Tesla factory on June 28, 2014. As such, a brand-new Model S would have qualified for a $30,000 CEVS rebate then.

In fact, in a drag race over a quarter mile last year, the Tesla Model S P100D was pitted against such supercars as the Porsche 911 Turbo S and Ferrari 488 GTB and beat them with 0.1 seconds to spare.

It is worth mentioning however, that if that race had gone further, both marques would have overtaken the heavier electric sedan but that would be missing the point entirely.

What this goes to show, is that the future of motoring, being ‘Green’ notwithstanding, lies in these powerful, efficient and clean vehicles the likes of Tesla, the BMW i3 and the Jaguar I-Pace.

Like BMW, the rest of the motoring world will soon start to move towards more hybrid models as a bridge towards a full electric future.

In Singapore, it is already beginning to take shape with over 60 charging points at over 30 locations and eight of those using the latest IEC Type II sockets. While it still takes hours and some inconvenience (finding out what to do while waiting for the car to charge) to get this done, you may also charge your electric car at home, albeit only for those who live in landed property with their own parking space.

There is also a new Vehicle Emission Scheme (VES) that has replaced the former Carbon Emissions-Based Vehicle (CEVS) scheme that offers tax rebates (or surcharges, for that matter) of $10,000 or $20,000.

In electric mode, the 225xe is stealthy, smooth and swift.

But when the engine kicks in, it’s quite another beast.

The ride becomes jerky, and the firmness of the suspension is more pronounced as you push ahead.

The vague presence of the road for the driver is unnatural for BMW, and the slightly slippery traction takes some getting used to.

But this particular car was not new but it was not worn either, clocking in at merely 1,000 km, which is two full charges old. All imported used cars have to be tested individually since their efficiency can vary and, quoted the LTA, it “would not know how much the car’s condition might have deteriorated”.

Since then, two more cars from California-based electric carmaker have made their way here and been given rebates of $10,000 and $15,000, unlike the first Tesla Model S electric sedan, which was slapped with a controversial $15,000 tax surcharge.

It is an unfortunate case of penalty on an early adopter but it seems the authority has gotten it right now.

With the new VES scheme in place, together with the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) scheme that offers all vehicles in the island-Republic a limited lease of 5 or 10 years on the road, it is looking to encourage not just newer vehicles but cleaner ones in the years ahead.

And from the individual’s standpoint of the driving experience, the cost of ownership and long term savings, the future of electric cars is, shall we say, shining bright as a bolt of lightning.

While this represents a drop from $30,000 to zero for say, a Toyota CH-R Hybrid, it is now a more measured approach that takes into consideration all five main pollutant offenders – CO2, and four other tailpipe pollutants namely carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter – and the amount in dollar value is determined by the worst-performing of the five.

Tesla should know. They made headlines, inadvertently, in 2016, when a Singaporean-based executive wanted to import a pre-owned Tesla S from Hong Kong, and was slapped with a $15,000 carbon surcharge under the old scheme.

The Tesla Model S gets from 0-100 at 2.5 seconds.

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NATIONAL OBSESSION

These four men combines for 72 goals this season.

Is England in good hands?

Breaking down England’s World Cup team TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: NIKE

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ngland had always had a facade of being a dominant force in football. On the international stage, the Three Lions has been on the decline, evidently with their lacklustre performances at the World Cup. In South Africa 2010, they only managed to crawl into the round of 16 under current Jiangsu Suning manager Fabio Capello. The last edition at Brazil, the Brits could not even get out of the group stage that consisted of Uruguay, Costa Rica, and Italy.

The current assembly of players are coincidentally all representing clubs of the Premier League. A critique could perhaps quip that the standard of the crop has

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dropped as no other club in Europe has seen value from this generation of players. On the other side of the coin however, it might be due to club loyalty or possibly the longest lasting fabrication that the domestic league is seen to be the most prestigious in the world.

The Premier League unfortunately, has in recent times been the conduit for mega transfers to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, ironically, none of them English players. The last trio of marquee exports were Michael Owen, David Beckham and Steve McManaman to Santiago Bernabéu.

GOALKEEPER Between the sticks stands either Joe Hart, Jordan Pickford, or Jack Butland. All three goalkeepers are from teams dwelling on the bottom half of the table; Hart is benched at West Ham United in favour of Adrian, Pickford has not kept a clean sheet since Boxing Day’s stalemate against Watford, and Butland has well conceded 54 goals this season, tying West Ham United’s low. Other names up for consideration are Burnley’s Nick Pope as well as Southampton’s Fraser Forster.

England has only won the World Cup once back in 1966. Legendary Goalkeeper Peter Shilton tops the number of appearance for the country at 125, with Wayne Rooney coming in second at 119 and David Beckham at 115.

As a reserve goalkeeper, Pope grabbed opportunity at its reins when Tom Heaton was out of action for months with injury. Pope has kept nine clean sheets (most between all english goalkeepers) and conceded only 22 goals this season, contributing significantly to Burnley’s brilliant form. Despite not having international experience, Pope should feel confident that current manager Gareth Southgate has a tendency to pick his squad based on form rather than past accolades.

DEFENCE As his enforcers, Southgate has committed to played with a back-three. John Stones, Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Joseph Gomez, and Gary Cahill are in contention for the positions. Stones has had an up-and-down season, particularly after his hamstring injury. Nevertheless, he remains an integral cog for the future.

Marcus Rashford scored the decisive goal for his country during the match against Slovakia in the World Cup Qualifiers.

Maguire on the other hand has attributes that amplifies his value. As a marauding defender that creates chances for his teammates, the Leicester City player has a total of four assists, putting him parallel with Juan Mata and Cesc Fabregas. The Sheffield-born’s involvement with transitioning from defence to attack is invaluable, and his consistent performances should justify a spot on the team.

WING-BACK Kyle Walker together with the sometimes dubious Danny Rose, have cemented their spots as first-choice wing backs. The pace and skill both of them possess can easily spring off overlap one-two runs to pry open opponent defences.

Ryan Bertrand, Kieran Trippier and Joe Gomez are great additions to the already youthful team but need to show more consistency at both club and international level before trying to knock on the door for a starting spot. Luke Shaw who?

MIDFIELD An abundance of midfield players but the lack of creative personalities has seen some surprise inclusions in recent months. Liverpool’s triumvirate of Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and Tottenham’s duo of Eric Dier, Dele Alli has spoilt Southgate for choice. However, names such as Jake Livermore, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been in the mix for starting roles on the team.

Eric Dier has proven to be a versatile player on the pitch.

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COMPETE

Despite his small stature, Raheem Sterling possesses outstanding physical ability to protect the ball and himself against defenders.

Kyle Walker shares a laugh with club and country teammate John Stones.

Henderson and Lallana have been plagued with injuries although both remain relatively prioritised due to their seniority and skill capacity. Chamberlain’s move to Anfield may have given him more playing time at his preferred position, however he has not proven to be the spark plug for creating chances in midfield and may have to fight for his spot on the team.

Arguably the most lethal striker in the Premier League right now.

Alli may not have been as lethal as he was last season where he found the net 22 times, but he remains a core player for now as well as for the future. The 21 year-old has a diverse portfolio of skills and habits and has often been compared with icons Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Week in week out, we witness the MK-dons graduate showcasing different dimensions to his ability.

His inclusion in the team is guaranteed.

Raheem Sterling is one of or not the most talented wing player for England. His pace and trickery can sometimes prove too much for less fleet-footed opponents, and his 20-goal tally this season validates his ability. Sterling’s adaptability is also a valuable asset for the team, however he might be deployed at wing back if we do see a 3-5-2.

Dier is no doubt one of the most versatile players available. Able to be deployed at defensive midfield, centre-back and right-back, the utility man brings flexibility to any team as seen evidently with his role at the Tottenham Hotspurs.

This season, Jesse Lingard has been crucial to Manchester United, several times scoring the decisive goal to bail the Red Devils out of a loss or a draw.

He also claimed a regular starting spot on the team amidst a team of world-class players, a sign of Mourinho’s faith in his ability.

FORWARDS Of course the number one man on this list would be the free-scoring complete forward, Harry Kane. Kane broke Alan Shearer’s 36 goals in a calendar year record and

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Teddy Sheringham’s Tottenham goal record. One of the rare traditional centre-forwards, Kane’s killer instincts come from more than his right foot. In just the Premier League alone, he has scored 16 using his head, 26 with his left foot and once from a free kick. Kane has honed his movement off the ball to be the most lethal striker in the current league, and mind you without fancy step-overs and flashy flicks.

Once sought after by Real Madrid after his heroics leading to Leicester’s title, Jamie Vardy has since fell down the pecking order, at least on the international level.

The late-bloomer is the ideal key to unlock defences with a high pressing line. Despite being 31, he is still one of the fastest players in the league, clocking 35.09km/hr.

His hardworking ethics and decent first touch proves to be threat in front of goal majority of the time.

Alas, the final piece to the English puzzle, is Manchester wonder-kid Marcus Rashford. And these words are coming from an Anfield faithful.

MVP

Photo from Porsche Singapore

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF SPORT’S BIGGEST STARS

The Man Who Made It Happen Porsche’s Francis Lee Page 52

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The harder you practice, the luckier you get.

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HE SAVIOUR When the fate of a whole country is on your shoulders.

TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: LIONEL KONG

I

zwan Mahbud might not be a familiar name, but his heroics for Singapore is surely to ring bells. Together with the LionsXII, Izwan won the 2013 Malaysian Super League and the 2015 Malaysian FA Cup. It is however, his tremendous contribution for the country against Asian giants Japan during the World Cup qualifiers, where he clocked 18 saves, including several clutch blocks and parries which made him famous.

Former AC Milan winger Keisuke Honda had the camera panned to him several times, looking in disbelief as Izwan denied all attempts on goal.

His performance against Japan propelled his value, and received a trial at Japan League 2 side Matsumoto Yamaga, which unfortunately failed to materialise.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity given by them for the trial. But personally, I felt that seven days was not enough to impress the scouts, maybe two to three weeks I could better showcase my talent and adapt to the team.” said the 27-year-old.

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Competition is heating up for the spot as Singapore’s number one. Hassan Sunny however has age catching up to him at 33.

Izwan, during his time for the LionsXII.

Local side Tampines Rovers then offered a contract, and Izwan repaid their faith in him by helping the team secure a second place finish in the S-League for two consecutive years in 16’ and 17’. In December of 2017, Thai League 2 club Nongbua Pitchaya confirmed the signing of Izwan on a one-season deal, and reports of him taking a pay-cut to join truly defines his determination to prove himself on foreign lands.

“Getting out of the comfort zone is very crucial to the development and growth of an athlete. Exploring different opportunities, impressing scouts, and bringing ourselves to the next level is all part and parcel of an elite sportsperson.” Izwan acknowledged.

Izwan surprisingly did not started out between the sticks, but rather as a striker during his early years. It is apparent that the athleticism and physical stature he possess were in fact rather suitable as a front man.

Standing at six-foot tall with his broad shoulder frame, those are legitimate target-man qualities.

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Izwan, training at former club Tampines Rovers FC.

Getting out of the comfort zone is very crucial to the development and growth of an athlete.

Exploring different opportunities, impressing scouts, and bringing ourselves to the next level is all part and parcel of an elite sportsperson.

“I started playing keeper only when I was 15, and as a Manchester United fan, growing up my idols were Peter Schmeichel and Edwin Van Der Sar for obvious reasons.” he beamed.

“However, I don’t mould my game according to anyone. I learn from all the best in the world, like Neuer (Manuel) and his sweeper keeper skills, Buffon (Gianluigi) on his professionalism and conditioning despite being 40-years-old, and basically a combination of top-class positioning and how to command the defence.”

For every glorious day, there are downsides that follow.

A footballer’s struggles on the pitch are barely the tip of the iceberg as Izwan shares with us.

“One of the toughest pills to swallow as a goalkeeper, is that one mistake from you and everybody starts pointing their fingers. A striker can miss ten shots but score one and he will be considered a hero. A keeper

can make ten saves but concedes one and suddenly he is to blame. The stress can sometimes get to you.”

Izwan, on the mental factors of the game.

As a footballer, post retirement plans are important, and Izwan has several options up his sleeves.

Currently after 10 appearances for Nongbua Pitchaya, he has only conceded 4 goals.

“Coaching, high intensity workouts, personal training, these are some areas I’m looking at. Sports science is another industry that is growing very quickly due to technology. A lot of studies on sports and biomechanics are coming up and I can see myself in that field for the long run. But I like cooking, so I might go for a course or two to learn some culinary skills.” chuckled the International Sports Academy graduate.

On being told he has his own Wikipedia page, Izwan seemed befuddled, claiming to not know about it. His agent however, giggled and retorted, “He edits it himself!”

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HE GREAT DEBATE

Ronaldo X Messi – The Conundrum TEXT: NICK PO PHOTOS: NIKE AND ADIDAS

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Ronaldo has scored 308 goals in 298 matches for Real Madrid, averaging over 1 goal per match. Messi has found the net 378 times in 412 appearances for the Catalan giants.

F

ortunate times we live in, indeed. Particularly so if you happen to be a football fan. We, the fervent spectators of the great game, have been truly and utterly spoiled by the spectacles of greatness that have unfolded before our eyes over the past decade.

The debate used to be Pele or Maradona, two supreme talents around which some of the football’s most sanctified myths and legend have been built.

Pele’s legend was forged in the grainy black and white footage of a bygone era, while Maradona’s brilliance occurred at the onset of Technicolor. And though the significance of the Pele’s 1958 World Cup triumph, or Maradona’s mythical Hand of God cannot be understated, the fact is comparisons between the two men only go as far as conjecture at best. After all, they played in different eras, with a rivalry born more off the pitch than on it.

That’s what makes the case with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi all the more compelling. Had one played in a different era from the other, then perhaps the debate would be more straightforward - with everyone debating in hypotheticals, delving into the realm of what if and imagine that. But that is not the world we live in, and ours is a reality in which sports fans have been treated to a pair of otherworldly, generational talents that have spent the bulk of their careers competing head to head in a perpetual battle for supremacy.

Messi has scored against 36 opponents in La Liga, more than any other player in the history of the league.

The great debate between probably the two best players of our era has never stopped.

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The Argentinian has won the Ballon d'Or five times, matching Ronaldo's record.

It’s not so much a game of oneupmanship anymore. Even though that did seem to be the case for a period of time.

The two men, separated by a mere 2 years in age, play football at an entirely different level. Almost as if they lived on a different plane of existence. What they can do on the pitch sometimes resembles more video game than real life. The manner they have dominated their mortal competition is definitely something the world had not previously witnessed. Yet, theirs is a sustained dominance, a decade of coinciding brilliance that we may not see again in this lifetime. It doesn’t matter whether you judge them on a statical basis, or if you measured their greatness in terms of pure spectacle – the talent that Messi and Ronaldo have showcased has been simply transcendent.

The mayhem started back in 2009, the first year they both played in Spain’s La Liga after Ronaldo’s then worldrecord transfer from Manchester United. Back then, a 30-goal season would have been considered a career year for any world class striker. That’s before Ronaldo and Messi decided to kick it up a notch. The stat lines are ridiculous, and that’s just at the Club level for Barca and Madrid. In 2009, Messi had 38 goals and 14 assists, to Ronaldo’s 29 and 4. The next year in 2010, it was 45 goals and 13 assists for Ronaldo, to Messi’s 58 goals and 16 assists. 2011 – Messi had 55 and 27; Ronaldo, 53 and 14. In 2012, Messi broke the Gerd Muller’s 40-year single season

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At the UEFA European Championship 2016, a Ronaldo-led Portugal won their first championship despite him leaving the field 25-minutes into the finals against France.

record with 79 goals adding another 21 assists. Ronaldo returned 58 goals and 12 assists, which wasn’t too shabby either. Since then, 40 and 50 goal Seasons have become routine for both. Ronaldo has continued his penchant for the big occasion, now seemingly coming to the rescue when the stakes are at its highest. Messi has added more dimension to his game, with his vision and playmaking reaching the level of a savant – but he too has a tendency to play his best when all the chips are down.

Not that anyone really needs further proof, but there are thousands of highlight reels on YouTube that will confirm the utter absurdity of Messi and Ronaldo’s mind blowing feats. Whether it’s Ronaldo unleashing a flurry of step overs before powering his way past defenders and sending a thunderbolt into the top corner. It is still amazing to re-watch his towering header over the entire Roma defence, or those dipping swerving shots as he cuts in from the left leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. 40-yard free kicks, and cheeky back heel goals – the man once scored with his left thigh for God’s sake.

Those trademark celebrations when he tells opposing fans to calm down, before tapping a finger to his chest to remind everyone who is boss. Seeing him run, leap and thrust his arms to his side as if in Super Saiyan mode, as he screams Siiii against the cacophony of delirious fans who were once again treated to another magisterial goal.

It’s all pure entertainment.

Wheeling away in celebration, he took off his jersey, impudently holding out his no.10 in front of a frothing, baying Madrid mob.

Then there’s Messi. The Boy Wonder who made his debut at 16. Announcing his arrival to the world as only he could have. Receiving a pass from the incomparable Ronaldinho, he makes a simple cut inside before cheekily chipping the keeper and a sleeping defender – the balls on this kid.

Who can forget those slaloming runs through entire teams.

When you see Messi pop up on the ball, before suddenly dropping his shoulder. He beats one man, then two, then three, evading tackles and leaving opposing defenders grasping at air, before cooling rounding the keeper. Or how about the Champions League Final against Ronaldo’s Manchester United, when he contrived a way to score a header squeezed in between Vidic and Rio Ferdinand – even though he gave up at least a head in height to the two towering central defenders. There was also the time he twisted and shimmied towards goal in full flight, making Jerome Boateng fall flat on his rear, before lofting the ball just out of Manuel Neuer’s reach sending it bouncing into an open goal.

But my personal favourite went down at the Santiago Bernabeu last year, when he scored the winning goal in waning minutes of the match to lead Barca to a 3-2 victory over Madrid to all but secure the league title. The goal wasn’t one of his craziest, but as always the little maestro popped up in the right place at the right time. Wheeling away in celebration, he took off his jersey, impudently holding out his no.10 in front of a frothing, baying Madrid mob.

Standing at a height of 1.69m, Messi is the shortest forward in La Liga. His agility and intelligence compensates what he might lack in height.

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Ronaldo at his first individual tour in China last year.

Ask any coach and they can only sing his praises. From Frank Rijkaard to Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique on down, every manager down to the last man will attest to Leo’s genius.

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To see the pair’s otherworldly displays of skill and talent sublimely manifested in the fluid melodrama that is the theatre of sports. To stand jaws gapping, staring incredulously at the television with a palm pressed to your forehead, feels almost routine when it comes to Messi and Ronaldo. Blessed with god given talent, ultra competitiveness, and an insatiable desire that drives them towards greatness, both men’s ascent to the pinnacle of world football transpired from humble beginnings as they so often do.

Messi from Rosario, Argentina, was a small child by any standards. Leo, as he is now affectionately known, was afflicted with a genetic disorder that would have stunted his growth, making him a long shot for success. Yet, so prodigious were his gifts with a ball at his feet that FC Barcelona decided he was worth the investment. Taking care of Messi’s medical treatment and offering him a place at La Masia, the club’s renowned incubator for footballing talent, now seems like money well spent, or more aptly, the best decision the club has ever made. And from the very first turned time he out for the Blaugrana first team, it has been a magical journey. Leo makes the impossible seem normal, his astounding penchant for drama and heroics outstripped only by the achievements and trophies he has amassed through a glittering career.

Ask any coach and they can only sing his praises. From Frank Rijkaard to Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique on down, every manager down to the last man will attest to Leo’s genius. Messi has lined up next to some of the greatest players in modern Football, and even they cede to his undeniable superiority. Zlatan Ibrahimovic once described Messi in one word, incredible – high praise from a man whose own reputation speaks for itself, and is never one to miss an opportunity for self-aggrandisement. When he was once asked about what it’s like to play with Messi, Thierry Henry was left dumbfounded on national TV. “Messi is unbelievable, he… You have to see him… I’ve never seen anything like it before”. This from a man who is a legend in his own right, someone who has played with the likes Zidane and Bergkamp. Even Henry is left speechless when it came to Messi.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, is more the individualist.

He’s never made a secret of his desire to be considered the greatest player of all time. Brash and cocky, he doesn’t just carry an air self-confidence – he is arrogant pure and simple. A diva in the truest sense of the word, he has feuded with teammates and thrown tantrums with coaches. He passive aggressively manipulates the powers that be at Real Madrid. But when you ask if all his antics are worth it, then all the goals, the trophies,

and the jersey sales make that answer a resounding yes.

Affection and praise do not seem to be what Ronaldo is after, since he has always shown a certain comfort playing the antagonist. Instead, he is intent on letting his football speak for itself, with a dedication to his craft that boarders on obsession. Stories about his commitment to training and fitness have an almost fanatical edge. And like the great Kobe Bryant, another individualist never afraid of being cast the villain, Ronaldo has worked his way into our hearts – the blood, sweat and tears he has sacrificed in an unflinching quest towards perfection.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who bought a scrawny teenager from the tiny Portuguese island of Madeira at the begging of his players, has never been known for warmth and effusiveness. Yet, when it comes to Ronaldo, the Grandfather of modern club football cannot help but gush. Looking at Ronaldo with the eyes of a proud father whenever they meet, there’s pictures of them sharing a hug after Ronaldo’s fourth Champions League triumph.

Writing in his autobiography, Ferguson offered the highest praise for his Favourite no.7, “Cristiano Ronaldo was the most gifted player I managed. He surpassed all the other great ones I coached at United. And I had many”.

As it stands, there is hardly anything to separate Ronaldo and Messi. 5 Ballons D’or apiece, and 4 Champions League titles for each, to go along with two fistfuls of Golden Boot awards. The two seem inextricably linked, their careers so intertwined that the history books will still probably have

Based on reports, Ronaldo has no more than 6% body fat, lesser than majority of the super models.

them placed side by side. Even the one asterisk they both have against their names has some similarity.

Messi joined Barcelona at the age of 13, and made his debut four years later. He has transcended to become an icon for the club since.

Messi has been a loyal ambassador for Adidas, most recently signing a lifetime contract.

Messi has never delivered Argentina a major international trophy, coming within inches at the 2014 World Cup Final, and falling short twice in the final of the Copa America.

Ronaldo, on the other hand, was instrumental to Portugal’s march toward its first major international title. But less than 10 minutes into the Euro Final he was subbed off injured – unable to assert himself when he finally had another chance on one of football’s grandest stages.

The upcoming World Cup might very well be their last.

So enjoy the show while you can, because with Ronaldo turning 33, and Messi’s 31st birthday just a few months away, the sun is setting on what could very well go down as a Golden Age for football.

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HE MAN BEHIND IT ALL

Francis Lee, Managing Director of Stuttgart Auto is more than it meets the eye TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTO: PORSCHE

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The Panamera is releasing more adaptations including the latest Turbo Sport Turismo which is powered by a V8 Twin Turbo clocking in 550 horsepower.

I

n 1978, Porsche initiated the first partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and hence the birth of the first Tennis Grand Prix. The Stuttgartbased company eventually sponsored the prestigious event and has been the owner and organiser since 2002.

Porsche has also been the official automotive sponsor of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global since 2015, with the help of one Francis Lee, Managing Director of Stuttgart Auto.

“When the WTA was first hosted in 2014, it was actually the blue-white Bavarian automobile brand that were event partners. The following year, we decided it was essential that Porsche Singapore should propose to become a part of the WTA as the brand is synonymous with the sport of tennis. With a stroke of coincidence, the organisers of approached us and without hesitation, we accepted the offer. Porsche is a sports automobile brand that strives in its precision and performance, and is similar to the professionals of women’s tennis who embodies sporting excellence - impeccable synergy between the two.” said Lee.

It sends a clear signal to manufacturers and consumers of the direction of automobiles to accelerate the transition to electric cars.

The Martini Racing livery's combination of a white body with red, dark blue, and light blue stripes is among the most famous paint jobs in motorsports.

will not only seal a spot at the season-ending showpiece but also be congratulated with a new Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet.

Lee started out with Stuttgart Auto a year into the millennium, after a 14-year stint in Brunei.

“In the early 80’s I was working at Performance Motors where I was in charge of after sales. I took over general management in a couple of years and was stationed in Brunei. After leaving my position at Performance Motors, I joined QAF Auto, which coincidentally acquired BMW’s franchise rights in 1996. When the opportunity came knocking in 2001 to join the Eurokars Group right after my return, I jumped at it and the rest was history.” said the automotive industry veteran.

With 39 years of automotive experience under his belt, Lee is also often approached to give talks.

Porsche was founded in Stuttgart, Germany, back in 1931.

Moving forward into the second year, Porsche retained its official automotive partner relationship with the prominent event. “Sponsoring the WTA Finals is one thing, but being a partner of the event was our main objective. Being a partner for the event allows us to sign for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, this will be our final year hosting the event in Singapore, as it will be moved to Shenzhen 2019 onwards. I hope in the future, the event will be brought back to our shores.” said the 58-year-old.

With this new partnership, each of the 57 tournaments which includes 53 WTA events plus the 4 Grand Slams that leads into the WTA Finals represents one lap of the Porsche Race to Singapore. Each tournament will be noted in campaign graphics with a lap number on a pit lane signpost. The player who finishes the regular season as the No.1 player on the Porsche Race to Singapore leader board, by collecting the most points after lap 57,

“Recently, I was invited to share my opinions with lecturers in regards to the future of automobiles. The coming of electric cars is inevitable, and the one adopting the fastest is none other than mainland China. The French government declared a ban for the sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, and England seconded, citing fears that rising levels of nitrogen oxide could pose a major risk to public health as its main concern. China however, made an even bolder claim. They announced that they will achieve the same result, by 2025. It might seem like a long shot but most people will be shocked at the number of manufacturers in China producing electric cars. Based on reports from China, they’ve sold 350,000 electric cars in 2017 and those are not tie-ups but rather local companies dipping into the trend. The BYD E-Taxi is the most popular brand right now, and investment mogul Warren Buffet is one of the major shareholders behind its surge. Chinese giants Tencent as well as Alibaba are both poised to battle for market share in the hybrid/electric car industry.”

Lee enunciated.

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Porsche 911

“It sends a clear signal to manufacturers and consumers of the direction of automobiles to accelerate the transition to electric cars.”

Diverting back to Porsche, they are already three years into their Mission E concept car development. Other models with a hybrid version are the Panamera, the 918 Spyder, and the Cayenne.

“The hybrids in Porsche do not compromise on performance, even the SUVs are tuned for maximum efficiency. Take the 918 Spyder as an example.

The reduced sized hybrid engine still managed to complete the 20.8km Nürburgring in 7 minutes 13 seconds, ironically ahead of the Porsche 911 GT3. Our fully electric concept car will be launched sometime in 2020, but keep your eyes out as others will be showcased at international auto-shows.” Lee added earnestly.

As one of the manufacturers that do front, mid and rear engine, Lee is spoilt for choices when asked for his favourite model.

“All the models drive differently, and I have to say that the mid-engine Cayman is really zippy, especially in city drives like ours. The front engine Cayenne is really powerful and comfortable but I have to admit, the 911 is my favourite due to its raw power and handling.” he chuckled.

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In 2016, Porsche has sold a total of 556 units, and maintained the relatively high figure in high 500’s for 2017. On record, the best-selling model is the Macan, partially due to its size and agility, the other factor being its attractive price point.

“Our best sales people are actually Porsche owners due to their immense amount of passion for their cars.”

“The Macan is our entry level model, slightly above the Boxster. Last year during the WTA Finals, over 40 Macans were available for players and officials to be chauffeured, and there was a limited edition release of five unique designs and colours that pay homage to Singapore’s diverse culture and heritage.” Lee, on the best-selling model.

Porsche’s lifestyle sector has also been a huge hit with its consumers. Formally a tie-up with IWC’s movements, Porsche instead decided to acquire its own watch manufacturing company under the label, Porsche Design.

Their top-of-the-line limited edition world timer is priced at $128,000 euros, and Lee was asked if he would ever purchase that timepiece.

“I’ve worn my current watch for over 20 years, and it was only $125.”

“Now let me ask you, if you had $128,000 would you spend it on a Porsche designed watch?” he grinned.

AWAY DAY EXOTIC AND EXCLUSIVE GETAWAYS

The Road Less Travelled Destination Alkebulan

Photo from Teo Chuen Hoon

Page 56

AWAY DAY

AFRICA FOREVER The exquisite nature of Africa is second to none - the native wildlife and rich historic cultures spanning centuries from its various tribes is truly a sight to behold.

TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: TEO CHUEN HOON

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Destitution, underdeveloped, poverty, diseased, perilous. Africa has long been associated with adverse terms. Despite being the second largest continent with an abundance of natural resources, the world only has sparkling eyes for Angola and Botswana where diamonds are mined. Infrastructure is sparse near the rural areas, and majority of the current developments are headed by none other than China, whom began bilateral trades in Ethiopia since 1970s.

After conquering his journey from Singapore to Beijing, and then to the borders of Russia, Teo Chuen Hoon took off for an expedition through Africa, one that will etch firmly into his memories.

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia did not greet him with open arms, but rather a demonstration of what to expect in the coming days. “The political unrest in the country was causing mayhem. Military equipped with loaded rifles and grenades were patrolling the city, and they are spotted around every corner. Getting a SIM card for my phone was hard enough, and the shops jacking prices up due to my skin colour was apparent. After managing to get my hands on one, I quickly departed the city.�

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The outskirts of the capital were far from safe, and after a 100km ride, Teo arrived at the small town of Butajira.

“A long stretch of road with several small shophouses and huts, word spread of a foreigner coming into town and the villagers start peeking out of their windows. Not long after, a bunch of children began chasing after me, howling at the top of their voices: “Money! Money! Money!

You! You! You!” and tried pulling my backpack off.”

“As I picked up my pace and ignored them, they began to pelt stones at me. I turned around to look and there it was kids, teens and some adults chasing after me, demanding for money.

It was like a scene from a movie about zombie outbreaks. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared for my life there and then.”

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“Shortage of potable water has been plaguing the country, and walking for miles to collect water is a norm for its citizens.

Families share water with animals from still lakes where the water is a far cry from drinkable, elsewhere children are drinking from potholes on the road. It is beyond traumatising to witness these in person.”

“There is a famous photograph by Kevin Carter. It depicts a child from Sudan, portraying a literal metaphor of skin and bones, curled up on the barren ground.

Behind the child sits a vulture, looking rather patient, and hungry.

This photo was taken in 1993, during the famine era. Two decades has passed, and Sudan is still facing the same turmoil that has always haunted them.”

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AWAY DAY

“After some drama which involved a civilian posing as a bus conductor to ransom my bicycle for a 100 Birr (SGD$5), I boarded a bus, making my way to the Kenyan borders. The bus came to an abrupt halt after a blind corner, where boulders were used to barricade the path.

Almost a dozen young fellows appeared and demanded a fee from the bus driver but he floored the gas pedal and ran through the block. They began throwing huge rocks and slags at the bus, shattering the windows.”

“Enraged, the driver and bus conductor got off the bus, brandishing only their fists, began exchanging blows with the hooligans.

Some passengers came down to help but sensing danger, the driver hopped back up the bus and drove off, unknowingly leaving some poor chaps behind.”

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“I was cycling through a village, when someone shouted “Franji!” Turning to see, there was a large group of people congregating beside a huge tree. It seemed like a celebration of some sorts.

Suddenly, three man armed with AK-47s grabbed me and pulled me to join the festivities, I understood later that it was a wedding for the village chief’s daughter.”

“A large bowl of mutton curry briyani was placed in front of me and I began conversing with sign and whatever was left with the English language. On the table sits a bowl, perhaps for wedding dowry as I thought to myself. Taking a peek, there were already some crumpled up notes inside; some $10 and a $50 bill. I placed two $200 notes inside, much to the cheers and applause of those in attendance of this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

“The photographs are only a fraction of the harsh conditions of the African contingent. After my experience, I feel that we should not take daily necessities for granted, as the blatant truth is there are people struggling to get staple like fresh water. There is a mandarin proverb which translates to ‘while the wine and meat rots behind the gates of the rich, the road is filled with the bones of the frozen.’ This phrase illustrates my feelings of this journey, and has helped me to establish a greater understanding of helping the povertystricken.”

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VICTORY THE SWEETEST TASTE IN SPORT

Behind The Wheels Putting the pedal to the metal

Photo from Jeep

Page 72

VICTORY

ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA Measuring speed without limits.

TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: ROLEX

A

term synonymous with speed, Daytona’s association with Rolex began in 1959 when Rolex partnered with the Daytona International Speedway. In 1963, Rolex first launched the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph, and a few years later, the name “Daytona” was added to the dial to mark the watch’s affiliation with the speedway, resulting in what we know today as an iconic in the realm of timepieces – the Cosmograph Daytona from Rolex.

Actor and avid race-car driver Paul Newman was a staunch devotee to this model, and was often photographed wearing his Cosmograph Daytona to races since 1972, until his passing in 2008. Newman’s wife Joanne Woodward gave him a rare reference 6239 fitted with what many termed a ‘special’ dial. A ripple effect soon dictated a trend by collectors dubbing certain Daytona models as ‘Paul Newman’ style, which are primarily identified with coloured seconds scale along the dial’s periphery.

Ever since, the Cosmograph Daytona is a favourite among racers and horologists, due its functionality on the racetrack, most notably legendary motorist Sir Malcolm Campbell.

Cosmograph Daytona, 1963

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In the October of 2017 at an auction in New York, a ‘Paul Newman’ Cosmograph Daytona model owned and worn by the Academy Award winner himself, was sold for an absurd amount of US$17.75 million. Loyalty does create a legacy.

Built and designed originally to reliably meet the timing needs of professional endurance racing drivers, it has soon become a favourite among professionals of both genders due to its elegance amidst ruggedness.

Spotting a Cosmograph Daytona on a person’s wrist from across the room is an easy task - deduced by an iconic combination of three sub-dials and a tachymetric graduated bezel.

The Cosmograph Daytona’s graduated bezel comes in either metal or high-tech ceramic. As a tachymeter, its scale can be used to read average speed over a given distance based on elapsed time. It is positioned on the bezel to free up space on the dial and offer sight clarity during exhilarating speed.

Sir Malcolm Campbell.

The Oyster case guarantees waterproofness to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), and the middle case is crafted from a solid block of corrosion-resistant 904L steel, 18 ct gold, or 950 platinum. The winding crown is fitted with the Triplock triple waterproofness system and the crystal on the crown guard is made of virtually scratch-proof sapphire, providing all rounded protection.

This masterpiece is equipped with the calibre 4130, a selfwinding mechanical chronograph movement that features a perpetual rotor which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist and a maximum tolerance of −2/+2 seconds per day as a certified Superlative Chronometer.

Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the world land speed record 9 times between 1924 and 1936 and many of which, wearing a Rolex.

The highly sought after Cosmograph Daytona is paired with either an Oyster bracelet, or the innovative Oysterflex bracelet in elastomer reinforced with a flexible metal blade.

These bracelets are equipped with a patented Oysterlock safety clasp that prevents accidental opening. They are additionally fitted with the Rolex-patented Easylink rapid extension system which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5mm.

Daytona Beach 1955.

Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN.

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HUBLOT LOVES FOOTBALL: JUVENTUS The Classic Fusion Chronograph is Hublot’s third dedicated watch for the Italian club.

PHOTO: HUBLOT

Right after knocking out Tottenham Hotspurs to enter the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, Juventus has another reason to rejoice a week later.

Swiss watchmakers Hublot released its third collaborated timepiece with the Turin-based club, an exclusive blackwhite Classic Fusion Chronograph Juventus.

The Classic Fusion Chronograph is only limited to 200 pieces, each of which sold with a kit complete with Juventus shirt autographed by one of the star players of the team. This piece mounts the HUB1143 self-winding chronograph movement, beautified by the polished satin black ceramic case and bezel with black ceramic base that houses

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the carbon fibre, marked by 6 titanium screws in the shape of an H. The symbol of the Bianconeri is engraved on the back of the watch, but it is also clearly visible on the dial and on the seconds counter.

Hublot was the first luxury brand to be affiliated with football in 2006 and works closely with FIFA as official timekeeper. They are also makers of the official watch of the World Cup, EUROs, as well as some of the world’s most prestigious clubs in Juventus, Chelsea, AFC Ajax and Benfica.

The six-year partnership with the current Serie A champions saw the release of the King Power Juventus in 2013 and the Big Bang Unique Bi-Retrograde Juventus in 2015.

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HUBLOT LOVES FOOTBALL: CHELSEA Five-time Premier League Champions are back with a Big Bang PHOTO: HUBLOT

Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea FC teamed up with Hublot to create their second collaboration in the field of horology - the Big Bang Chelsea FC. Revealed at Stamford Bridge, marquee players Alvaro Morata, David Luiz, and Cesc Fàbregas were present for the special occasion, marking their second chapter with the Swiss watchmakers.

Limited to only 200 pieces, the Big Bang Chelsea FC features a 44mm stainless steel case and a bezel made of carbon fibre and blue Texalium. Its blue sun-ray dial includes three counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, the latter being proudly engraved with “SW6”, which is Fulham postcode where Stamford Bridge is located.

Powered by a self-winding chronograph, the Big Bang Chelsea FC has a 42-hour power reserve. The famous Earl of Cadogan’s coat of arms logo is situated both at 12 o’clock and on the case back crystal. To put the final touches to this all blue look, the strap comes in rubber and blue alligator with a stainless steel deployment buckle clasp.

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Longines Conquest V.H.P Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

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LONGINES CONQUEST V.H.P GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES The gold standard for precision TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: LONGINES

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s the official partner and timekeeper of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April 2018, Longines announced their exclusive timepiece of the multi-sport event The Conquest V.H.P. (Very High Precision) Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

A prestigious tournament that gathers 71 Commonwealth nations and territories, precision is paramount for the regulation of time. The Conquest V.H.P marks an achievement by Longines in the field of quartz, where the brand is a pioneer and expert. Back in 1954, Longines developed a quartz clock which broke several records for accuracy. Named Chronocinégines, it was the first of its kind, as attached to it was a 16mm camera which provided sports officials with a film tape with a series of images taken every hundredth of a second for maximum accuracy to judge beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Conquest V.H.P. Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games boasts ‘Very High Precision’, as due its name and

nature. This exclusive movement marvel promises an accuracy of +/-5 seconds a year, as compared to the +/- 15 seconds per month of standard quartz watches.

It has the ability to reset its hands after receiving shocks from an impact or extreme exposures to magnetic fields using the GPD (gear position detection) system.

This limited edition piece is also equipped with a perpetual calendar.

Aesthetics wise, the watch bears the symbolic colours of the Commonwealth Games and its mascot; orange indexes and blue tint on the hands, dial and flange indexes. Aside from the oversized numerals of 12 and 6, a special red mention of ‘V.H.P’ sits just above the south of the dial. To top it off, the 41-mm diameter caseback displays an engraving of the Gold Coast 2018 logo with the mention “Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games”.

Limited to only 1000 pieces worldwide and 22 in Singapore, this commemorative release is the ultimate memorabilia for this edition of the Commonwealth Games.

The Conquest is the sportsline series for Longines.

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MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS The updated luxury sedan raises the bar once again.

TEXT: LIONEL KONG PHOTOS: MERCEDES-BENZ

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ercedes-Benz has launched its comprehensively reworked S-Class series sedan, with four engine variants and a new, Energizing Comfort control that links various comfort systems of the car together for a series of thematic moods.

The base S 320 L 4Matic gets a 272 horsepower, 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, while the S450 L 4Matic uses the same engine block, uprated to a tune of 367 horsepower. A new 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine powers the S 560 L 4Matic with 468 horsepower, though if you’re looking for the most powerful S-Class, you’ll want the AMG S 63 4Matic+, featuring the same V8 biturbo unit but built to deliver a staggering 612 horsepower.

Besides the highly acclaimed Burmester audio system, the fully customisable interior features LED ambiance lighting with 64 selectable colour themes, and what MercedesBenz calls the world’s first occupant wellness and comfort system. It uses the functions of the climate control, which includes fragrances, seat ventilation and massage functions, along with ambient light and background music to deliver a specific mood to all the occupants in the car.

A sample of the themes that the driver can select include Freshness, Warmth and Joy.

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The cabin also supports the wireless charging of smartphones that support the Qi standard, so you can simply leave your mobile phone on the centre console whenever you get into the car.

More engine variants are in the pipeline, including a plugin hybrid with about 50km of electric range and more economical six-cylinder petrol engines.

With starting prices in the region of $400,000, the S-Class remains one of the pinnacles of continental speed, luxury and comfort.

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MASERATI LEVANTE S Pure power to match its looks.

TEXT: JACKIE TEO PHOTOS: MASERATI

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uilt with 430hp/580Nm, and a squeeze of the throttle delivers 0-100 in a mere 5.2 seconds. This one-liner might sound like a common roadster or coupe but it is deceptively the Levante S, an SUV from the pioneers of Italian automotive; Maserati.

The Trident of Neptune as usual, spearheads the front of the vehicle, accustomed with the sculpted front grille and its chromed bars. The visuals are not the only part beaming with machismo, as the twin turbo V6 that comes along with the Levante S is anything but tame. As per customary Maserati tradition, the howl of the engine from ignition to its roar on revolutions of 4000rpm, sounds like a symphonic orchestra to any proclaimed petrol-head.

Keeping parallel to the ever growing technology, the new Maserati Stability Program (MSP) uses sensors to constantly monitor driving status. It can then deploy a host of safety

and performance systems to maintain handling and grip.

This program selectively reduces engine torque and can activate the brakes with finely varied inputs to restore stability within milliseconds of a skid. The Levante is also equipped with a comprehensive range of Advanced Driving Assistance Systems, such as lane-keeping and cruise control assistance.

Aesthetic and interior wise, Maserati has partnered with luxury men’s wear Ermenegildo Zegna for their immaculate craftsmanship which translates to hand stitched seats, door panels, and roof lining having the finest leather combined with Zegna’s mulberry silk.

Performance SUVs has been the trend in recent months, with several other luxury carmakers launching their own interpretations. The Levante S is affirmation that Maserati has more from where that came from.

The cabin is decked out in smooth and premium leathers from luxury fashion brand Ermenegildo Zegna. The interior is most definitely impressive, as do all Maseratis.

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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE The High and Mighty.

TEXT: LIONEL KONG PHOTO: JEEP

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with a body-on-frame construction, the Grand Cherokee utilises a more conventional uni-body design. While less customisable than the Jeep Wrangler, the Grand Cherokee is a totally different animal, giving the occupants a luxurious ride that is also suited to the occasional off-road jaunt.

At 4.8-metres in length, it’s a plush, comfortable ride for the five occupants in the car and the eight-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine revs low at highway speeds for great fuel economy too. Unlike the traditional way that the smaller and more rugged Jeep Wrangler is built,

In true Jeep tradition, the car’s electronic traction control systems can be switched to different modes including a winter traction mode that might seem superfluous for use in tropical climates, but then you’ll quickly come to realise that it’s a very effective setting for wet and slippery surfaces. Hill Descent Control is also standard fitment.

Which helps to manage the car’s downhill speed without relying on the driver to ride on the brakes the whole way down a long descent.

hen it comes to road presence, there are few cars that can compete with the Jeep Grand Cherokee. If American muscle and swathes of chrome trim are your kind of thing, then the largest Jeep that you can buy will give you all of that, and more. Available with in Singapore with two different engines, you can get into the standard 210hp, 3.6-litre V6 Summit edition, or go all out with the monstrous 475hp, 6.4-litre HEMI V8 in the Grand Cherokee SRT.

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HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R Return of the Purebred.

TEXT: LIONEL KONG PHOTOS: HONDA

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he fourth-generation Honda Civic Type-R once again reunites the line that was spilt into Euro and Japanese versions during the third-generation model. The original Type-R ethos was to take a sporty production car and push the envelope as far as the factory could take it, keeping it a fully driver oriented experience. Honda has a legendary reputation for building very powerful and high-revving naturally aspirated engines, but stricter emissions regulations have forced them to go

the forced induction route as well, and the new Civic Type-R features a 310hp, 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

In the tradition of all Type-R models that have come before it, there is no automatic transmission option. Your only choice is the six-speed manual, transmitting power to the front wheels. There are three selectable driving modes that alter that car’s character, selectable from a rocker switch next to the gear lever. From Comfort to Sport to the hyper aggressive R+, these adjust the steering and throttle response map, adaptive suspension dampers and vehicle stability assist to give the car widely different characteristics.

There’s no mistaking it for anything other than a serious sports sedan however, with the hip-hugging sports seats, driver-focuses instrument panel and Type-R plate on the centre console. The exterior is pure Japanese sports car, with a high rear spoiler and flared wheel arches.

Like its predecessors, this is a car for the genuine driving enthusiast.

The Civic Type-R boasts an engine that is direct fuel-injected and turbocharged with its VTEC system. It can go from 0-100 in 5.7 seconds.

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TRIPLE CASK MATURED A globally recognised name for premium single malt, The Macallan returns this year with an elegant repackaging of the Fine Oak range. Renamed ‘Triple Cask Matured’, the triumvirate of Sherry Oak 12, Double Cask 12 and Triple Cask Matured 12, will now be the core range for their flavor oriented portfolio.

Inspired by the Rare Cask and Rare Cask Black, the sterling new design of the bottle perfectly complements the liquid gold from the highland distillers.

With a wider shoulder design which gradually tapers towards the neck, the bottles also feature an exquisite Chevron insignia cut.

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As a form of trust Macallan has also invested in research and development for an anti-refill enclosure and anti-counterfeit technology to protect consumers.

“With this bold new design we want to do justice to the extraordinary whisky inside the bottle which, of course, is what we at The Macallan and every whisky fan worldwide really cares about. We think the new bottle looks as good in a world-class bar as it does on a table at home being shared with friends.” said Glen Gribbon, Marketing Director at The Macallan.

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REMY MARTIN CARTE BLANCHE EDITION A sublime interpretation of the treasures within Rémy Martin, the Rémy Martin Carte Blanche Merpins Cellar Edition by Baptiste Loiseau makes its debut in Singapore. This expression rightfully represents the authentic taste and resolve of the House of Rémy Martin, as articulated by Baptiste Loiseau himself.

Each edition of the Carte Blanche becomes a platform to showcase the paragons of the House utilising the expertise and experience of the Cellar Master. Baptiste Loiseau went through an extensive inventory of former masters and discovered one vat in the Merpins Cellar which resonated synonymously with the House. The artisan began to monitor its maturation over time.

A mature age of 27 years, the Rémy Martin Carte Blanche Merpins Cellar Edition delivers its spicy notes of cinnamon and clove, mixed with mirabelle, honey and gingerbread flavours. The harmonious combination of intense flavours, bottled at the percentage proof naturally occurring in the vat, is balanced by the roundness, smoothness and length in the mouth. This rich cognac is best enjoyed neat.

With only 9,650 bottles available worldwide and made specifically for travel retail, the Rémy Martin Carte Blanche Merpins Cellar Edition is a historic dedication to Cognac Fine Champagne quality of the House and its legendary blend.

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PORTRAITS

CLUB MED X LACOSTE guests were treated to a golf clinic by European LPGA player Valentine Derrey, after a one round tournament at Ria Bintan Golf Club. Xavier Desaulles, CEO of East and South Asia & Pacific was present for the official reveal. The collection will be sold in resorts across Asia Pacific and on Lacoste website.

Photos from Club Med

Synonymous with their French origins, Club Med and Lacoste announced their official partnership at Club Med Bintan on 26th March 2018. In recognition of their heritage and their embodiment of sporting lifestyle, Lacoste launched an exclusive apparel collection blazoned with the Club Med emblem, tailored for golf and tennis wear. The media and

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Photos from Club Med

PORTRAITS

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PORTRAITS

MASTERS OF WINES AND SPIRITS The DFS Group hosted their seventh annual Masters of Wines and Spirits event on Saturday March 24 and Sunday March 25 at The Warehouse Hotel on the banks of the Singapore River. As the world’s leading luxury travel retailer, the highly anticipated event was held in partnership with Changi Airport Group.

It was staged for the first time over two days, bringing together almost 800 local and international guests who explored a variety of unique tasting experiences from the world of spirits and wines.

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Guests were given the opportunity to meet leading spirit brand ambassadors through a unique and interactive panel, hosted by DFS Group’s Director of Spirits Frederik Vanden Bulcke and featuring experts from John Dewar & Sons, Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich and The Kyoto Distillery. Two “Classes with the Masters” were also hosted by The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE, and Rufus Beazley from Chateau Latour Asia Pacific.

Photos from DFS Group

PORTRAITS

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FINAL WHISTLE

NBA PLAYOFFS

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Photo from adidas

hen the curtains of the regular season draws to a close, that is when real magic happens. The NBA Playoffs are to many of the superstars, where the real season begins.

For James Harden, this is the ultimate platform for him to prove to critics why he deserves to be this year’s MVP. Aptly named ‘The Beard”, Harden is averaging 30 points, 5 assists, and 9 rebounds for the regular season and during his first round playoff match against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he dropped a whopping 44 points, including 7 3-pointers. Harden’s arsenal added in a now trademarked un-guardable step-back three which seems like a cheat code from a computer game glitch. That signature move has Harden lead the league in isolation points per game at 10.6 and in efficiency rating at 29.8. Pairing his expertise to shoot from beyond the arc with his innate ability to draw fouls off drives, this man is a scoring machine.

James Harden, 2018 NBA MVP.

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