A-listers no more

Singapore — Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) dictate the car population here, but how cars are categorised within the COE system itself also affects buying behaviour.

This effect was most recently felt on Sept 9, when the LTA announced that from February 2014, any cars in Cat A which have engines that produce more than 97kW (130bhp) will be classified under Cat B.

While the new ruling will affect mainly upmarket models, some unexpected mainstream options will also be affected. Here are four oustanding examples that may be worth buying before February.

Volkswagen Touran

Engine: 140bhp, 1.4-litre

Price New:$153,800 with COE

Price Pre-Owned: from S$90,000

The Touran small multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) is flexible, useful and can seat seven people in relative comfort. It also keeps keen drivers happy with its entertaining handling and peppy, yet frugal, 140bhp engine.

Hyundai Veloster 1.6

GLS Turbo

Engine: 186bhp, 1.6-litre

Price New:S$167,999 with COE

Price Pre-Owned: NA

The quirky asymmetrical design (two doors on one side, one on the other) and punchy turbo engine are just two reasons to lament this coupe’s migration to Cat B.

Toyota Auris

Engine: 132bhp, 1.6-litre

Price New:S$152,988 with COE

Price Pre-Owned: N/A

It’s a huge pity the Toyota Auris only just scrapes through into Cat B, since it’s Toyota’s first European model here. The Auris offers excellent practicality and ability all wrapped up in a good-looking package, and is surely Toyota’s most daring mainstream offering to date.

Suzuki Swift Sport

Engine: 134bhp, 1.6-litre

Price New: S$119,500 with COE

Price Pre-Owned: from $91,800

The Suzuki Swift has always been an important starting point for avid drivers with its combination of affordability, ease of use and simple driving fun. The frisky-handling, cheeky looks and lively engine will be sorely missed in Category A, which looks doomed be devoid of fun cars next year.