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Hot cars to look forward to in 2012

  • <strong>Ferrari 458 Spider: </strong>The ultimate head-turner has to be the Ferrari 458 Italia and if that is not enough, here is more reason for more attention: the Ferrari 458 Spider. Adding on to Ferrari's range of mid-rear engined V8s, the 458 Spider is the world's first and unique V8 mid-rear engine with a fully retractable hard top. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
    1/5

    1. Ferrari 458 Spider

    Ferrari 458 Spider: The ultimate head-turner has to be the Ferrari 458 Italia and if that is not enough, here is more reason for more attention: the Ferrari 458 Spider. Adding on to Ferrari's range of mid-rear engined V8s, the 458 Spider is the world's first and unique V8 mid-rear engine with a fully retractable hard top. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
  • <strong>Jaguar XKR-S: </strong>This is claimed to be "the fastest and most powerful production sports car Jaguar has ever built". The new supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar XKR-S builds on the XKR by adding more power (550bhp now), a revised and stiffened suspension and unique styling. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
    2/5

    3. Jaguar XKR-S

    Jaguar XKR-S: This is claimed to be "the fastest and most powerful production sports car Jaguar has ever built". The new supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar XKR-S builds on the XKR by adding more power (550bhp now), a revised and stiffened suspension and unique styling. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
  • <strong>Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: </strong>The signature gull-wing doors and roof have been replaced with conventional doors for the roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS AMG Roadster will have an aluminium space frame, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with a peak power output of 563bhp, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The fabric soft top opens and closes in 11 seconds and can be operated up to speeds of 50 km/h. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
    3/5

    4. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

    Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: The signature gull-wing doors and roof have been replaced with conventional doors for the roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS AMG Roadster will have an aluminium space frame, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with a peak power output of 563bhp, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The fabric soft top opens and closes in 11 seconds and can be operated up to speeds of 50 km/h. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
  • <strong>Audi R8 GT Spyder: </strong>Just like the Audi R8 GT coupe, there will only be 333 R8 GT Spyders manufactured for the world. The R8 GT Spyder gets the same upgraded 5.2-litre 560bhp 540Nm V10 as the GT coupe, coupled with Audi's R tronic single-clutch automated manual transmission and Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
    4/5

    5. Audi R8 GT Spyder

    Audi R8 GT Spyder: Just like the Audi R8 GT coupe, there will only be 333 R8 GT Spyders manufactured for the world. The R8 GT Spyder gets the same upgraded 5.2-litre 560bhp 540Nm V10 as the GT coupe, coupled with Audi's R tronic single-clutch automated manual transmission and Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
  • Inspired by the 1980s rear-wheel drive drifting legend Corolla Levin AE86, the Toyota GT 86 is the result of a joint development project between Toyota and Subaru. Toyota was in charge of the design, taking cues from the Toyota 2000GT of the 1960s, and together with Subaru, the decision was to build a fun, lightweight rear-wheel drive sports coupe with the same naturally aspirated 2-litre four-cylinder boxer engine developed by Subaru. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
    5/5

    8. Toyota GT 86

    Inspired by the 1980s rear-wheel drive drifting legend Corolla Levin AE86, the Toyota GT 86 is the result of a joint development project between Toyota and Subaru. Toyota was in charge of the design, taking cues from the Toyota 2000GT of the 1960s, and together with Subaru, the decision was to build a fun, lightweight rear-wheel drive sports coupe with the same naturally aspirated 2-litre four-cylinder boxer engine developed by Subaru. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
<strong>Ferrari 458 Spider: </strong>The ultimate head-turner has to be the Ferrari 458 Italia and if that is not enough, here is more reason for more attention: the Ferrari 458 Spider. Adding on to Ferrari's range of mid-rear engined V8s, the 458 Spider is the world's first and unique V8 mid-rear engine with a fully retractable hard top. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
<strong>Jaguar XKR-S: </strong>This is claimed to be "the fastest and most powerful production sports car Jaguar has ever built". The new supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar XKR-S builds on the XKR by adding more power (550bhp now), a revised and stiffened suspension and unique styling. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
<strong>Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster: </strong>The signature gull-wing doors and roof have been replaced with conventional doors for the roadster version of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The SLS AMG Roadster will have an aluminium space frame, AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with a peak power output of 563bhp, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The fabric soft top opens and closes in 11 seconds and can be operated up to speeds of 50 km/h. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
<strong>Audi R8 GT Spyder: </strong>Just like the Audi R8 GT coupe, there will only be 333 R8 GT Spyders manufactured for the world. The R8 GT Spyder gets the same upgraded 5.2-litre 560bhp 540Nm V10 as the GT coupe, coupled with Audi's R tronic single-clutch automated manual transmission and Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)
Inspired by the 1980s rear-wheel drive drifting legend Corolla Levin AE86, the Toyota GT 86 is the result of a joint development project between Toyota and Subaru. Toyota was in charge of the design, taking cues from the Toyota 2000GT of the 1960s, and together with Subaru, the decision was to build a fun, lightweight rear-wheel drive sports coupe with the same naturally aspirated 2-litre four-cylinder boxer engine developed by Subaru. (Photo and text by Cheryl Tay)

Things may not seem too rosy for the Singapore automotive market in 2012, but that does not stop car makers from bringing in some of the hottest cars. Here are eight much-anticipated cars that we can expect on our sunny shores this year. (Photos and text by Cheryl Tay)