This is one Subaru WRX STI that has gone anorexic by shedding more than 140 kilograms off its factory kerb weight. Being a true trackie, it is beyond doubt that its owner naturally possesses an obsession towards squeezing additional horse power out of every gram lost. 

Painstaking but in the mind of a purist, satisfaction that non-car guys will ever understand.

In the words of the owner, the objective for this build was to keep the car street legal, with a clean factory appearance on the outside, combined with a moderate and reliable 300 wheel horse power output from the factory 2-litre twin-scroll turbocharged setup. 

Meaning to say, most of the components within the engine bay has been generally left untouched, except for the replacement of solid engine mounts and stiffened suspension bushings. 

Given the moderate power output, a key focus has been on weight reduction, and chassis and suspension tuning. Particular attention was given to lowering the car's centre of gravity with the replacement of a carbon fibre roof that was spray painted to the original color.  

Original glass were replaced by lightweight Spec C glass and overall ride height was lowered with performance KW Clubsport coilovers. Passenger and driver now indulge in Recaro STI racing seats. 

The front and rear roll centres were also readjusted to retain the factory suspension geometry. Also, the dash has been flocked to reduce sunlight reflection off the front windshield, perfect for track days.

Last December wasn't that far away but it does feel somewhat distant, probably due to a handful of world events happening in between. As we bid 2014 goodbye for a better new year, we were honoured to be invited to cover one of Singapore's largest annual car meets - the Suzuki Swift club.

It was telling to witness highly spruced up Swifts gracing the event at the open air car park of Kallang Leisure Park. By H-hour, population of the ever popular Japanese supermini has swelled to a size such that one single photo can no longer fit all of them unless a drone was activated. 

The main sponsor for the meet up was Motorvac - Bynergy Asia Singapore, an automotive industry leader in Preventive Maintenance equipment and chemicals for technicians and shops. 

Motorvac race queen, Vanessa, was also around to strut and pose for the owners' rides, setting pulses racing. It was show time!

The Suzuki Swift and its sportier sibling, the Swift Sport, are no strangers to car enthusiasts in Singapore. The Swift Sport offers lots of room for tuning and modding opportunities and at the same time, its stock 123bhp 1.6L free revving engine, coupled with quick gearing already gives the driver a pocket full of fun. 

It is almost like a race kart in a handsome, hot hatch shell, always raring to go and eagerly waiting to swallow up the next corner.