Singapore Press : Top 10 new cars awarded at Singapore’s prestigious ST-Torque Awards 2018

Singapore, 2 January 2019- Torque, Singapore's leading motoring monthly published by SPH Magazines, awarded the 10 'Best in Class'winners at the ST-Torque Awards 2018, including the coveted Straits Times Car of the Year 2018award, which went to the Kia Stinger.

For the eighth year running, Torque has partnered with The Straits Times (ST) to select the best new cars of the year, based on a robust voting system that continues to set the standard for automotive awards in Singapore.

The contenders were rated against their typical rivals based on nine criteria: performance, handling, ride, build quality, efficiency/economy, ergonomics, styling, value for money and the X-factor.

There were 11 judges on the ST-Torque Awards 2018 panel, headed by Christopher Tan, Senior Transport Correspondent of The Straits Times, Consulting Editor at Torque magazine and Singapore's foremost motoring journalist for the past 30 years.

Christopher's co-driver in the judging panel was Jeremy Chua, Associate Editor of Torque and an 11-year motoring media veteran.

The ST Car of the Year and the collaborative ST-Torque Awards are the country's most authoritative editorial recognition of vehicular excellence.

Mr Christopher Tan, Consulting Editor of Torque and Senior Correspondent of The Straits Times, said: 'The Stinger is Kia's first grand tourer attempt. As it turns out, it is far more than a creditable attempt. The car surpasses all expectations for something that costs less than $200,000 - and by a wide margin, too.'

Mr Jeremy Chua, Associate Editor of Torque, said: 'The Stinger has shown what Kia can achieve. This fastback is eye-catching, relatively quick, quite practical and hugely fun to drive. It was my favourite car in 2018. And as it turns out, many on the Torque team think so, too.'

Ms Dawn Pan, Deputy Director of Kia Operations, said: 'It's exhilarating for the Kia Stinger to clinch the coveted ST Car of the Year award. More so because this is the first for a Korean car. In addition, it is also a great recognition for what it is essentially a game changing product that has contributed to the strengthening of Kia's brand name.'

Announced in the January 2019 issue of Torque, the winning cars are:

ST-TORQUEAWARD WINNERS FOR 2018
Straits Times Car of the Year 2018 - Kia Stinger
Best Sedan - Skoda Superb
Best Luxury Sedan - Lexus ES
Best Performance Sedan - BMW M5
Best Performance Wagon - Audi RS4 Avant
Best Hot Hatch - Renault Megane RS
Best Five-seater SUV - Volvo XC40
Best Seven-seater SUV - Skoda Kodiaq
Best Compact Fastback - Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Best Compact Hatchback - Suzuki Swift

Download hi-res images of the winning carhere.

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About Torque

Since its inception in 1990, readers have trusted Torque as the authority when it comes to cars and the car culture. From test-driving the latest cars to appreciating all things automotive, Torque is the trusted opinion leader.

As the automotive authority in Singapore, Torque features the latest motoring news, informative articles and unbiased test-drive reports in a visually stunning package of top-quality photography and sleek design. Backed by a team of seasoned and passionate motoring journalists, Torque is the staple of car enthusiasts.

About SPH Magazines

SPH Magazines Pte Ltd is Singapore's premier magazine media company with a portfolio of more than 80 brands and products in Singapore and the region. Its diverse portfolio includes brands such as Her World, Harper's Bazaar, The Peak, Home & Decor and HardwareZone, all of which are well-established market leaders in their respective genres.

It delivers award-winning content across print, online and mobile touch points and organises signature events all year round, reaching more than 6 million consumers monthly.

SPH Magazines prides itself on the ability to deliver high-performing 360 marketing campaigns for advertisers, by leveraging its strong brand heritage and highly engaged audiences. Its innovative advertising solutions incorporate cutting-edge technology and an unparalleled distribution network achieved through strategic partner tie-ups.

SPH Magazines is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), a publicly-listed media company. It also has offices in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

For more information, follow SPH Magazines on Twitter @SPHMagazines or visit www.sphmagazines.com.sg.