Alongside the updated Outback wagon, Subaru showcased the new version of its smallest car-based crossover, the Crosstrek, at the recent 2017 New York Auto Show. Unlike the refresh given to the Outback, the Crosstrek comes with an updated engine apart from the visual tweaks.
Remember that time when Chinese cars were considered to be at the same level as week-old sushi. And speaking of sushi, believe it or not, even Japanese cars had just as bad a reputation about half a century ago. The Koreans were on the same boat just a decade ago, and now they are among the top sellers in most developed car markets thanks to their world-class quality at affordable prices. So how far are the Chinese is reaching the level of established brands in terms of design, quality and image. Not far, as we’re seeing, and leading the charge is Geely.
Arguably, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class reached its peak back in the 1980s, when it wasn’t even called the E-Class. Comprising of models such as the all-rounder 300E, the handbuilt-by-Porsche 500E and the aftermarket-tuned AMG Hammer among others, the German carmaker’s W124-generation sedan was iconic. Unfortunately, right after this model was discontinued in 1995 after an 11-year run, Mercedes-Benz entered an era of confused designs and cost-cutting measures that didn’t subside until more than a decade later. Now, four generations later, there is an all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but does it have what it takes to become an icon again?
Volvo is riding high on accolades for the Volvo XC90, and they implemented the same DNA used to create their successful SUV on to their all-new luxury sedan offering, the Volvo S90, which we got a chance to drive in Oman.
In its inaugural year, the Auto Excellence Awards 2016 has been proclaimed to be the only audited automotive awards in the country, and quite possibly the region. Organised by and held at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, the awards ceremony saw dealer representatives for all the major automotive brands in Oman gather to see if they won. But two weeks before that, the judges had a go at all the nominated cars — close to 80 in total — over just 2 days of hectic testing at the Oman Automobile Association’s Muscat Raceway compound, and while I was one of the judges,
MG has confirmed that the new MG ZS, which made its global debut at the recent 14th Guangzhou International Auto Exhibition, is set to arrive in the Middle East by late 2017. The new SUV introduces a new design language from MG that will form the corporate look of future models.
Oman’s Toyota dealer seems to have the UAE beat in new model launches this year, as sharing space alongside the 2017 Corolla on the Toyota stand at the 2016 Oman Motor Show was this 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser TRD.
When we were strolling through the relatively cosy 2016 Oman Motor Show, the last thing we expected to see was a new model debut. This here is the 2017 Toyota Corolla. While this isn’t exactly a new car, it’s a welcome facelift to a decent but aging model.
Maserati, the brand best known for building cars that Ferrari didn’t want, has finally dipped their toes in the hugely-profitable SUV segment. While you may never see a Ferrari SUV, Maserati’s new Levante is as close to that as you may get, assuming you ignore the lack of a V8 option. We got our hands on one during a recent trip to Oman, as they seem oddly hard to come by in Dubai.
If you’ve read our previous reviews of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG cars, you’ll realise that we don’t particularly find them impressive, specifically anything that seats more than two. All of their beefed-up sedans and coupes are rocket-fast, but when it comes to corners, it’s either severe understeer with the ESP in ‘sport-plus’ mode, or complete oversteer with the ESP fully off. Their rear-wheel-drive four-seater models are rather unbalanced cars compared to BMWs, held in line only by electronic nannies, which is why many of them now come with all-wheel-drive. The only car they currently have that’s truly an engaging drive is the AMG GT sports car.