The economic crisis is bringing about some unexpected benefits for car enthusiasts. Cars which were previously in high demand in America are lying around unsold, and that stock is now being dumped onto the GCC market by various manufacturers. The latest one to do so is Subaru, as their Impreza WRX STI is now officially available in Dubai.
My PR buddy picked up this Renault Safrane and passed it on to me a day later, with a layer of crap on the outside. However, the cabin was spotless, and there was no denying it — it felt like I was driving around in a Nissan.
General Motors Middle East is heavily promoting the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 hatchback as a hip new car for young people. As part of a major advertising campaign (which we’ve been left out of), the Aveo5 is being touted as base for customisations with various dealer-installed modifications, all under warranty.
The tuning arm of Nissan has already unveiled a modified version of the yet-to-be-on-sale Nissan 370Z. Dubbed the Nismo 370Z S-Tune, it concentrates more on handling than on engine performance.
Few of our readers hinted that a V6-powered Mazda 6 was coming to Dubai. Then reader Ajmal tells me the UAE dealer for Mazda, Galadari Automobiles, will be launching the new car on December 15th of this year. In an interesting move, this V6 model will be the larger American-built version of the Mazda 6.
Lexus unveiled the all-new 2010 RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The RX supposedly pioneered the car-based luxury SUV segment when it launched in 1998 for he American market. The new model continues that old formula almost exactly.
Having spotted a fresh-looking Toyota Innova on the roads, I realised that the 2009 model has received a facelift and quietly released in Dubai. Not that anyone cares, but it remains a spacious family alternative to cramped 4WDs.
The all-new Mazda 3 has been revealed at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. So far, it looks like it will be called a 2010 model in America, although European markets will call it a 2009. The sedan was shown at the L.A. show, while photos of the hatchback have just been released. A UAE release should happen by early next year.
Tired of replacing gearboxes due to overuse of the “launch control” feature, Nissan has decided to remove the feature from 2010 models of the Nissan GT-R, according to rumours.
Kia is trying its hand in the electric rat race, with a new hydrogen-powered electric vehicle built from a Mohave. Their previous prototype was based on the Sportage, but maybe this one even goes off-road. It is being showcased at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.