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Six new cars to check out this weekend

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SINGAPORE — It’s as if the motor trade had a crystal ball. The very week that the Land Transport Authority announces a large jump in the COE Quota for May to July, car dealers are putting six new models on the market here.

The bigger COE Quota is expected to bring down prices while enabling dealers to sell more cars — it should benefit both buyers and sellers, in other words.

“The higher COE Quota is indeed good news for the industry as well as anyone looking to upgrade or change their cars,” says Nicholas Wong, the general manager of Kah Motor Co.

His company was one of five that is introducing a new model, with the launch of the Honda HR-V, a compact crossover.

Come to think of it, with Singaporean car buyers increasingly spoilt for choice, it’s just as well that the COE supply is expanding, and not a moment too soon. Here’s a roundup of cars to check out this weekend.

HONDA HR-V

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The HR-V mixes the height and practicality of a Sports Utility Vehicle with the sleek lines of a coupe. It should be frugal to run (with a 1.5-litre engine) and is aimed at singles, or young families.

A Japanese market version called the Vezel has been on sale from parallel importers for months now, but Kah Motor says the HR-V was designed for Singapore conditions and laws.

MORE: Full details of the HR-V here

“There are many things you need to a Vezel to make it compliant in Singapore, and (parallel importers) don’t have the support of the (Honda) factory,” says Vincent Ng, a product manager for Kah Motor. For example, because Japan allows darker glass than Singapore, every single Vezel sold here has had its rear glass changed locally.

To underscore the advantage of proper aftersales backup, Kah Motor has a five-year warranty for the HR-V, along with three years’ free servicing.

KIA CARENS

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Although it’s being newly-introduced here this weekend, the Carens is two years late to our shores because high COE prices kept mass-market car buyers on the sidelines.

MORE: Download a specs sheet and press kit for the Kia Carens here

Now that that situation looks like it might finally be over, the seven-seater has suddenly become relevant again.

MORE: We’ve tested it. Read our verdict on the Carens here

As with practically all the Kias, you get plenty for the money. Currently the Carens costs $134,999 with COE, and offers a larger engine and more power than rivals.

LEXUS NX 200t

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Launched here last year with a frugal hybrid drivetrain, Lexus’ sharp-looking NX is now available with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.

The NX 200t is now on sale in Singapore in four trim levels — Classic, Executive, Luxury and F Sport.

MORE: The first turbo Lexus — how does it perform?
MORE: What the F is happening at Lexus?

They’re all powered by the first turbo engine from Lexus, a four-cylinder, direct-injection unit that produces 234bhp and 350Nm of peak torque. It’s an engine that should soon find its way into other Lexus models.

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

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Bored with Benz and BMW? Maserati is hoping to tempt you away from that S-Class or 7 Series with a new, entry-level iteration of the Quattroporte.

MORE: How Maserati became the world’s fastest-growing carmaker

The most basic version was launched here yesterday with a price tag of $488,888 with COE — by no means small change, but within the pricing neighbourhood of similarly large but less exotic cars from BMW and Mercedes.

PORSCHE 911 CARRERA GTS AND CAYENNE GTS

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Take any Porsche model and add the letter “S”, and you’re essentially adding horsepower and some extra equipment from the factory. Now stick “GTS” on the the car and you’re essentially turning things up a step from there.

MORE: Full details of the newest GTS family members
MORE: This Cayenne does 27.7km per litre

Porsche launched two such models on Friday evening, with the 911 Carrera GTS (above) going for $565,188 without COE and the Cayenne GTS for $486,888 without COE.

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Which one would you rather have?