The all-new 2012 Peugeot 208 hatch is set to continue the success chronicle of the lion-badged French carmaker in the sub-compact segment. Revealed as the successor to the Peugeot 207, the marque intends to leapfrog ahead of its segment competitors.
The Ford Flex has been facelifted for the 2013 model year, and is the first model to receive the updated version of the Ford MyTouch multimedia system. This move is intended to improve Ford Flex sales as well as address owner criticism of the touchscreen computer.
A few months ago, we had publicised the British auto giant Mini’s intentions of vast expansion with the introduction of their strict two-seater 2012 Mini Coupe. And even while the Coupe has barely been launched here, there seems to be a convertible version of the Coupe unveiled, namely the MINI Roadster.
The 2012 Mitsubishi Shogun, better known as the Pajero in the GCC, has received a facelift in Europe. Of course, calling it a “facelift” is pushing it.
Toyota’s luxury division Lexus is all keen to steal the show at the SEMA 2011 exhibition in Las Vegas, with the debut of the 2013 GS 350 F Sport featuring a unique performance and visual upgrade package. Though no visual extravaganza, the racing-inspired F Sport package does give the GS 350 some aggressive mien.
As part of our re-acquaintance with the Mercedes-Benz brand, we were invited to the UAE leg of the 2011 AMG Performance Tour, held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The deal was that we get to stay overnight at the fancy Yas Hotel, but before that, we were subjected to a brutal assault of the senses by a variety of Mercedes-Benz AMG models.
Transparency is a word that is uttered with caution in this region. The lack of information on many aspects of the automotive industry is obvious. Some aspects will change soon, however. We’ve had the pleasure of talking to Satish Singh, an automotive-industry veteran who started Tetrahedron Consulting to build up information on the GCC car market, one step at a time.
The 2012 BMW 3-Series sedan has been unveiled, complete with a quirky new face integrating traditional BMW design cues. It might look like a facelift of the current model, but the compact rear-wheel-drive sedan has actually grown in size.
In a surprise move, Chevrolet will introduce the all-new 2013 TrailBlazer midsize SUV at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show this November. Built on a new global body-on-frame midsize platform, the TrailBlazer will “combine the hauling and towing capability of an SUV with the ride comfort and efficiency of a crossover.” In reality, it is based on the Chevrolet Colorado pickup and will likely be built in Thailand and Brazil for sale in countries outside North America.
Let’s get it out of the way that, as much as Chevrolet would love to target a car like the Aveo at someone like me, I chose long ago to never own anything in this category of cars. And yet, I found myself at the GCC launch event for the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic anyway, lured in by the promise of a free overnight stay at the Atlantis hotel in Dubai.