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Upgrade your ride with these gizmos

SINGAPORE — New cars these days come with some of the coolest tech, whether it is something as simple as keyless entry or start/stop, or having the latest entertainment gizmos to keep your passengers engaged on those long journeys.

SINGAPORE — New cars these days come with some of the coolest tech, whether it is something as simple as keyless entry or start/stop, or having the latest entertainment gizmos to keep your passengers engaged on those long journeys.

But what if you drive an older car? Well, there are items in the market you can get to make your drive that much more enjoyable. Here are three of them.

PIONEER MULTIMEDIA RECEIVERS

These days, any car can be brought up to speed with the latest car head units. Pioneer, for example, recently launched a range of multimedia receivers for cars that is designed to work with either Apple iPhones or Android-based smartphones. Owners can even switch between the two operating systems effortlessly, which is a boon to those who share the car between spouses or family members.

While the Pioneer AVH-Z5050BT is a double DIN-sized unit that features a 7-inch touchscreen with full HD capability, those with older or smaller cars will appreciate the AVH-Z7050BT, which fits into a standard single DIN-sized space, but has an electrically folding 7-inch Full HD touchscreen that glides out to offer the same connective functionality as the bigger model.

ASTELL&KERN A&ULTIMA SP1000 HIGH-END AUDIO PLAYER

If you are still listening to your music on MP3, it is high time to catch up on the wonders of hi-res audio, in which lossless audio formats such as FLAC can sound even better than conventional CDs. The latest portable audio player, the curiously named A&ultima SP1000, manufactured by Korean tech company Astell&Kern, is all about making the best possible hi-res audio more accessible than ever.

The term “accessible”, of course, is relative, in this case, to how deep your pockets are. You will need to part with at least S$5,499 for this piece of tech wizardry, which is housed within a slim stainless steel or copper case.

To justify its eye-watering premium, the A&ultima SP1000 features separate Digital-to-Analogue Converters (DACs) dedicated to the independent left and right audio channel for a wider sound stage and better audio separation. At its heart lies an Octa-Core CPU, the same type of processor that is said to power the Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Although it comes with internal storage of 64Mb, the player will also accept a Micro SD card of up to 512Mb, twice the capacity of the highest-spec iPhone 7. It also features a 5-inch HD touchscreen for user-friendly operation.

Most cars now have a USB input, so connecting this portable should not be a problem as the SP1000 features a USB Type-C 3.0 port for the fastest simultaneous data transfer and charging possible. When fully charged, you can expect up to 12 hours of continuous playback.

CONTINENTAL PREMIUMCONTACT 6 TYRES

One of the easiest ways to take your ride to the next level is to improve your car’s drivability with a tyre upgrade. To this end, German tech giant Continental has unveiled its latest tyre, the PremiumContact 6. Available in no less than 70 sizes — for 16 to 21-inch applications — there should be a correct fit for nearly every car.

The PremiumContact 6 is designed to unify the previous Sport and Premium range of Continental tyres, and promises the best of both worlds. The result is a tyre that combines comfort, silence, precise steering response, maximum safety and lower fuel consumption to the tune of a 15 per cent improvement in these areas over its predecessor.

The secret lies in revolutionary innovations such as the synthetic amphorus silica compound, which makes shorter braking distances possible on wet roads, while an abrasion-resistant polymer compound with supple tread pattern improves the tyre’s lifespan by 15 per cent and reduces noise levels by 10 per cent. The advanced macro-block design, on the other hand, provides additional grip and steering precision for sporty handling.

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