News

We spent the entire morning today at the Dubai Autodrome, driving around in the most unusual vehicle, at a German manufacturer’s launch event. But we will talk about that drive later, because we came home to have a new unrelated test-drive car delivered to our doorstep. And that new tester is the CSV CR8, which belongs at the track, but just to clarify, it’s not the car we drove at the track. As tired as I am, I took the CR8 for a 2-minute spin before typing out this note. And I am already sold on it. It is the most pleasurable driver’s car I’ve had the opportunity of piloting in the past year.

Read More …

I’m just guessing, but this is probably the first Middle East report you’ll see of the 2009 Infiniti EX35, considering all the rags seem busy with the G37 Coupe. Due to tight scheduling competition with all the magazines, we only managed to snag it for 2 random days, but this also happens to be a very busy week for me, so testing was done hurriedly. We’re going to try to get it again later, assuming my moronic PR guy (who probably won’t read this) doesn’t try to aim for a hard-to-get weekend date to show off this car to his weekend date.

Read More …

Saab has announced that the new upgraded version of the 9-3, dubbed the Turbo X, will go on sale in the Middle East this June, available in very limited numbers. Specialties of the Turbo X include a 280 hp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 and all-wheel-drive.

Read More …

Having previewed our two Bluetooth handsfree kits, as provided and installed by Yellow Hat, we used the Nokia and Parrot systems over the course of a month.

Read More …

We are not sure if the name is correct, but these photos are of the real “baby” Ferrari that is due to be unveiled in the coming weeks. It is suggested that the car will most likely be called the Ferrari California, although earlier reports suggested an F149 model designation.

Read More …

Nissan has created a worldwide competitive driving test, called the GT Academy, for PS3-addicted GT5 gamers. The eight-month, pan-European competition sees “virtual and real-life racing merge to make the wildest dreams of two aspiring race drivers come true.” The prize is a four-month training programme to earn racing licences, followed by a real-life race driving a Nissan 350Z as part of the Nissan team at the 24H endurance race in Dubai in January 2009.

Read More …

At the latest “Code 5” number-plate auction in Abu Dhabi, plate number 9 has become the third most expensive number plate in the world, at Dhs 15.4 million (US$ 4.2 million). Bought by a modest Abu Dhabi businessman who did not wish to be named, he purchased the number at the charity auction held on Saturday evening at the Emirates Palace.

Read More …

So we had two different Bluetooth Handsfree kits installed in our vehicles, provided by the Yellow Hat auto accssories superstore in Dubai. As previously announced, they are going to install various low-budget car-related gadgets for us to review over the course of the year. This here is a brief preview of the Bluetooth handsfree phone kits we’ve been driving around with and getting used to.

Read More …

Another rundown of the updates to the New Car Buyer Guide over the past two months. I continue to get some flak for incorrect prices, but then again, I make pocket-change for doing what little I do anyway. As usual, if you cannot see the updates in Internet Explorer, hold CTRL and click on REFRESH in your browser while cursing your internet provider.

Bentley – Arnage
BMW – X6
Chrysler – Grand Voyager
GMC – Terrain, Sierra 1500
Infiniti – G37 Coupe,

Read More …

The updated 2009 Mercedes SL has been touched by Brabus. The upgraded cars get upgraded engines, a dressed-up exterior, new light-alloy wheels with diameters of up to 20 inches, suspension tuning and custom interior design.

Read More …