LTA to test power output of new small cars 'vigorously' on a dyno

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that by October, new cars to be sold under Category A will be strapped onto a chassis dynamometer to review the power ouput against claimed figures by automakers. In addition, it will also review technical data supplied by importers and dealers through 'independent checks with overseas counterparts' and other resources, reported The Straits Times.

The move comes after a new Certificate of Entitlement (COE) classification was introduced in February where cars sold under Cat A are up to 1,600cc in engine capacity and should produce no more than 130bhp or 97kW. The move was seen to eradicate luxury marques with small engines such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, who were then dominating the small car category, that was orginally meant for mass produced bread and butter cars.

However, since the new criteria came into effect, dealers of premium models began introducing small cars with 122bhp to maintain their share of the Cat A market.

As such, LTA is taking steps to ensure the cars are actually producing the figures claimed by the automakers. Also, due to the extra procedures, the approval period for new cars would be increased to as much as four months from the current four weeks.

LTA announced the new procedures to motor traders at a meeting yesterday, and the English daily reported that many were not thrilled.