It just so happened that when we secured the new-for-2009 Honda Jazz for a test drive, we also got a call from BMW’s rep offering us a Mini Cooper S Cabrio. We kept both, if only for a novelty comparo article later on. However, unfortunately or fortunately, we only got to keep the 118 hp Jazz for a less than a day-and-a-half, while we had the 172 hp Mini for three whole days. So we parked the Cabrio and trundled around Dubai exclusively in the Jazz for a day.
Ford has facelifted the luxury version of the Ford Edge, revealing the 2011 Lincoln MKX midsize crossover at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Cadillac has unveiled the fullsize XTS Platinum Concept at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The concept showcases Cadillac’s new top-of-the-line “Platinum” series of models, which include new luxury tech and a plug-in hybrid system. The XTS is expected to replace both the STS and the DTS sedans by 2011.
After spending the past year peddling the Scirocco hatchback as a ‘sports coupe,’ Volkswagen has finally come up with a real coupe. Presently only a design study, we give it the award for the Most Boring Concept Car Of The Decade, and we will allow VW to quote that in their magazine ads in exchange for advertising money.
Harking back to the Honda Civic CR-X from the late 1980s, the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z “sport hybrid coupe” has made its U.S. production debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The next-generation 2011 Ford Focus is making its worldwide debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show this month. Available in both the 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles, the all-new Focus will start production for Europe and North America late in 2010, with a local market launch early in 2011, and the GCC will then follow.
Chrysler had a tough 2009, undergoing a bankruptcy, a takeover by Fiat, and a partial buyout by the U.S. government. Therefore, they have absolutely no new models for the 2010 model year. However, Chrysler has now introduced special editions of existing models in the States, to spruce things up.
BMW North America have announced that the new BMW Alpina B7 will join its U.S. line-up as a 2011 model and is due to be officially launched at the Chicago Auto Show in February. For those keeping tabs, the B7 first went on sale in Abu Dhabi through the local BMW dealer.
SMS Supercars, who are known in the U.S. for pimping up Mustangs and Challengers, have decided to do the same with the Chevrolet Camaro. Along with exterior and interior upgrades, SMS beefs up the power in these muscle cars. They have released photos of its upcoming Chevrolet Camaro model, the SMS 620 Camaro.
An extended commercial for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, quite possibly the most over-hyped car in the German manufacturer’s history. This video has stirred some debate on the authenticity of the depicted event, although any smart person can see the obvious.