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Cat A Cars We’d Like to See in Singapore

When the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced its reclassification measures for our Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system last September, it cited that it wanted to ‘keep’ Cat A for so-called mainstream cars. And now that a Cat A car has to be below 1,600cc in engine capacity as well as producing 130bhp/97kW or less, together with the latest announcement that COE quotas will be increased over the next three months, we take an optimistic look at some of the cars which we hope might make it here, and can fit comfortably under the LTA’s new “bread-and-butter cars” criteria.

Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic is a familiar sight in the Transformers action blockbuster movies.
The Chevrolet Sonic is a familiar sight in the Transformers action blockbuster movies.

Why we want it here: Fans of the Transformers movie franchise will probably find the Sonic familiar, as it had a pretty prominent starring role in Michael Bay’s blockbuster action series. Movie stardom aside, the Sonic, which replaces the Aveo, brings with it some pretty sharp styling that will definitely capture the imagination of younger drivers. It’s said to be an even better drive than its predecessor too, and the car is already on sale in some of our neighbouring countries since its launch in 2012.

Cat A eligible variants: The Sonic comes with a whole host of engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.6-litres in capacity, but the more feasible ones will probably be either a 1.4-litre petrol with 99bhp, or the 1.6-litre unit with 114bhp, as they are the only two that come under the 130bhp barrier while also available with an automatic.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai's i20 is the replacement for the once-popular Getz compact=
Hyundai's i20 is the replacement for the once-popular Getz compact=

Why we want it here: Remember the Getz, Hyundai’s popular compact hatchback that sold like hotcakes during the heydays of low COE prices? The car promptly disappeared when COE premiums shot through the roof at the end of the decade, but if prices start coming down again, we could very well see its replacement, now badged i20, make a return to our shores. Expect much better build quality over the Getz, while the i20’s involvement in rallying should also give it some enhanced street-cred.

Cat A eligible variants: Probably the most likely fit would be 1.4-litre Gamma petrol engine that produces 99bhp, although there are also 1.2 and 1.6-litre units that are available.

Hyundai Accent

Cheap plastics? Weird styling? Those are things of the past with the latest Hyundai Accent.
Cheap plastics? Weird styling? Those are things of the past with the latest Hyundai Accent.

Why we want it here: Another familiar name that we don’t see any more, the latest Accent certainly deserves a chance locally. If you’ve experienced an early model Accent, chances are you’ll remember the cheap plastics, oddball styling and barebones interior, qualities which Hyundai has eradicated with this latest model. Interestingly, Hyundai has decided to split its compact car strategy globally, with the i20 being a primarily European-market only model, and the Accent being offered in the rest of the world.

Cat A eligible variants: Like the i20, the Accent uses a 1.4-litre Gamma engine, but with power slightly bumped up to 108bhp. There is also the option of the 1.6-litre Gamma II unit with 128bhp that’s used in the bigger Elantra sedan.

Kia Picanto

The Picanto was a popular car for first-time buyers. Hopefully the new model makes it here.
The Picanto was a popular car for first-time buyers. Hopefully the new model makes it here.

Why we want it here: The first-generation Kia Picanto was actually a fairly decent effort that found favour with plenty of first-time drivers here, thanks to its affordability, cheap running costs, easy drivability in the city, and vibrant character. It’s a shame we don’t get the new, second-generation version, which has been on sale since 2011, but here’s hoping the COE situation changes enough soon for Kia to change their minds, for the new Picanto is actually a much better overall package than its already-impressive predecessor.

Cat A eligible variants: Likely powerplant for the Picanto would be the 1.0-litre Kappa II three-cylinder petrol with 68bhp, although there is also a more interesting 1.2-litre four-cylinder with Variable Valve Timing that puts out 86bhp.

Kia Rio

The new Kia Rio marks a massive leap forwards in quality from its predecessor.
The new Kia Rio marks a massive leap forwards in quality from its predecessor.

Why we want it here: Like the Hyundai Accent, local drivers’ memories of the Kia Rio are likely to include cheap interior plastics and poor build quality. But again, like the Accent, the latest version of Kia’s compact hatch is a great leap forwards from its predecessor, so much so that if you put the two cars side-by-side, you’ll probably be hard-pressed to tell that they’re even related. If you’ve sat in an interior of a new Kia recently, you’ll understand what we mean, with cabin quality that can easily match any of its Continental rivals.

Cat A eligible variants: Engine options mirror the Hyundai i20 actually, with a choice of 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol units. Most viable choice might be the 1.4-litre Gamma four-cylinder petrol with 108bhp.

Mitsubishi Mirage

The Mirage could help to revitalise Mitsubishi's fortunes if COE premiums are favourable.
The Mirage could help to revitalise Mitsubishi's fortunes if COE premiums are favourable.

Why we want it here: Mitsubishi’s slow demise locally has been rather tragic and depressing to be honest, with the brand going from top-seller with the Lancer sedan to offering just a single model (the ASX crossover) in its line-up in less than a decade. Truthfully, Mitsubishi has been suffering badly on a global basis as well, but it is at least showing signs of recovery with models such as this, the Thai-built Mirage (and its sedan equivalent, called the Attrage). Should COE premiums turn favourable, the Mirage could prove to be the car that can help Mitsubishi back up on its feet locally once again, being an affordable, no-frills car for the masses.

Cat A eligible variants: The Mirage comes with a choice of two engines, and both are equally viable for our local market. There is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit that produces 68bhp, while the other option is 1.2-litre three-cylinder with 77bhp.

Volkswagen up!

Volkswagen's up! offers a nice blend of budget motoring and chic urban mobility.
Volkswagen's up! offers a nice blend of budget motoring and chic urban mobility.

Why we want it here: Arguably one of the more interesting city cars to emerge in recent years, the Volkswagen up! is surely ideal for a city like Singapore, given its compact size and easy manoeuvrability. The potential stumbling block to the up!’s introduction in Singapore though could be local perception of the car’s brand image, with some still perceiving Volkswagen to be a premium carmaker. Still, the up! offers an interesting mix of low-frills motoring and stylish urban mobility, with its modern, clean-cut design that would appeal to the youthful tech generation.

Cat A eligible variants: The up! is available with two 1.0-litre three-cylinder engines, tuned to produce either 60 or 75bhp. The latter is probably the favourite to be offered should the car make it here.