Robert’s Photography Blog

The Singapore Motorshow is back after a 2-year hiatus! It’s being held again on levels 3 (ticket office), 4, and 6 of SUNTEC City’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 10-19, 2006. This year’s show is better than ever - more new models, exciting concept cars, and the prettiest booth babes (checkout the Nissan booth).

I normally go on 2 or 3 different days and this year is no exception. It’s not easy to see it all in one visit. Especially, if you want to do some photography. Here are the key stats for the show: 187 cars and 31 motorcycles on display, 18 new models debuts, and 5 concept cars.

China’s largest independent carmaker, Geely, is showcasing it’s CK (compact) and MK (mid-size) models. Also of Chinese origin are the Naza Sutera, 1.1L and 1.4L subcompacts from Malaysian manufacturer, Naza. Based upon the Chinese Hafei Lobo, they are distributed and sold by the Naza Group’s new subsidiary company Naza Corporation.

If you are interested in more exotic cars, check out the Mitsuoka Motors booth. Three eye-popping models are on display - the Nouera, a Jaguar-like car based on the Honda Accord; the Galue, a 5m car resembling a compact Rolls Royce based on the Nissan Fuga; and the Orochi two-seater open-top sports car based on the Honda NS-X supercar.

Do you like Italian muscle cars? You won’t be disappointed! On prominent display is a Ferrar 599 GTB with a 620hp 6L V12 engine. Nearby is a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 packing a 640hp 6.5L V12.

Quite cool is Rinspeed’s zaZen concept car. The zaZen is powered by a flat-6 engine that has the displacement of 3.8L and develops a maximum power of 355hp at 6600 rpm. The car is able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and reach the top speed of 293 km/h. It’s the same engine that powers the Porsche 997 Carrera S.

Russell Swift (Subaru) is back to wow the crowd with precision-driving demos. If you are feeling lucky, you can bid (start S$88) on a chance to sit in the passenger seat while he performs reverse spins, hand brake parking, dance routines, two-wheelers, powerslides and doughnuts. Yikes - better have your lunch after going though that experience, not before!

It costs only S$10 to get into the motorshow. Parking at SUNTEC City is very limited so take public transportation or park at Raffles City and walk over.

My first batch of photos from the Motorshow is here.