European tuner JE Design claims they’ve created the “most masculine Porsche” in the world! So if you’re a total phussy who needs a pricey vehicle to prove your limited manhood, beat all your like-minded compatriots with the Cayenne PROGRESSOR.
The respected American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has launched a new roof strength rating system to help consumers pick vehicles that will help protect them in rollover crashes. Twelve small SUVs were the first to be put to the test. Only 4 earn the top rating of good. The Subaru Forester and even the Jeep Patriot, among others, have the strongest rated roofs, while the Kia Sportage has the weakest among the 2008-2009 models evaluated. A report like may be enough reason for some consumers to keep shunning Korean cars. But the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape only did slightly better.
Our BMW M Roadster soldiers on, having spent more than one year with us, racking up only 3000 km since we bought it at the beginning of 2008. Driving a hardcore-tuned sports car in daily traffic isn’t easy, so we fell back on our other automatic cars for city driving. Even then, costs came up during the year, some involving expected repairs, some just general maintenance, and some because BMWs have the durability of ice cream in the desert.
Adding to the exhaustive portfolio of Murcielago variants, Lamborghini has unveiled the limited edition Murciélago LP 650-4 Roadster, with a chopped-off roof and an upgraded engine.
Porsche is unveiling the 2009 versions of the Boxster and the Cayman around the GCC. Already revealed in Bahrain and some other countries, the UAE reveal will take place in Dubai next week. Improvements include a facelift, upgraded engines, retuned suspension and steering and new wheels. New available features include optional launch control, optional PDK automanual gearbox, PCM multimedia system and PSM stability control. As seen in European markets, a slight price rise is expected.
The striking Peugeot 206 first debuted sometime back in 1999, if I remember correctly. The quick-handling hatchback looked good then and it still looks good today. Its replacement, the 207, was launched more than a year ago, but Peugeot decided to continue 206 production side-by-side since it continued to be popular. In a sign that the 206 is not going away anytime soon, Peugeot has done the unthinkable, facelifting an obsolete model. It is now called the Peugeot 206+, and it debuted at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
Aston Martin made a big deal out of reviving their dormant Lagonda nameplate, to be slapped onto a new set of luxury models. At the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, it turns out their first model will be a crossover SUV, as hinted by this concept. While no one ever asked for an Aston Martin SUV, it looks set to become a hall-of-shame hit alongside the likes of best-sellers such as the Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X6.
If you are in Oman on the 5th of March, visit the Bentley travelling museum, where a rare collection of vintage and recent Bentley models will be displayed at the Al Bandar Hotel in Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.
The Geneva Auto Show is one of Europe’s major motor shows, if not the world. This year, even with the recession, there are an obscene number of supercar launches, although a few others have concentrated on greener cars as well. The 2009 show also plays host to some important new launches, such as the Mazda 3 MPS, the Chevrolet Spark, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and the Opel Ampera.
I am tired of Lamborghini rehashing their same old cars and tacking on ever-longer random words to the badge. If you are interested in their latest re-creation for the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, read their press release.