We haven’t asked for a Hyundai tester in ages because, well, who wants to drive a Hyundai? But at last month’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Hyundai officially showed off their new rear-wheel-drive Genesis coupe, but in so-called “concept” form. This is basically a weak disguise with paint and stickers to show off the tuning potential of the car.
I’d like to think I single-handedly created the best new car buyer guide in the Middle East, even with all its little inaccuracies. It’s so good, I’ve even caught local car magazines lifting details from it without giving me credit. But maintaining it is a long-term job, especially since eleventy-billion new cars were launched during the recent Dubai Motor Show. I managed to integrate the more popular new models into the guide over the last few weeks, and figured I’d unveil them in time for our third anniversary on the net. Oh, and happy UAE national day,
Koenigsegg has released the production CCXR supercar, which will eventually aim for the “world’s fastest car” title. The biofuel-powered car has a twin supercharged 4.8-litre V8, and will put out 1018 hp at 7200 rpm, and 1060 Nm of torque at 6100 rpm.
This is some footage I grabbed at last year’s Ford Ride & Drive event for their 4WDs. It demonstrates the abilities of the Ford F-150 Lariat 4×4 truck on sloping surfaces.
So I was hanging with my buddy as he was trying to catch a taxi. He being a brown person, expectedly around 10 empty taxis passed by without slowing down because, as everyone knows, most of these racist drivers only stop for white people and tourists, in anticipation of a big tip. I became pissed off after 45 minutes, and lightly slapped on a speeding Toyota Camry taxi with my hand. The taxi hit the brakes, turned around, and a big beefy Pathan driver got ready to fight with me.
Volvo has developed a system where the car will brake by itself if it realises that the driver will not stop in time to avoid hitting the car in front. Interesting system, but it is scary to think what tailgaters will use something like this for.
The highlight of my day today was watching a tiny woman in a Toyota Prado ram into the side of some guy’s Chevy Optra for no apparent reason, reinforcing the unfortunate stereotype that most women are poor drivers, as much as I hate to mention this. Maybe she couldn’t see over the steering wheel. Of course this region has its share of men with poor driving skills too. And oh yeah, and I picked up a 2008 Toyota Corolla. A 1.6-litre version no less. It’s been a while since I drove a car this slow. But I’d like to thank Toyota’s PR-lady-of-the-year Marwa for keeping us at the top of the test-drive list.
The 2009 Nissan Murano has been officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The profile is much the same as the current Murano, but the rear benefits from new LED tail-lights and there is an optional panoramic roof, along with a power upgrade for the standard V6.
Yep, I suddenly remembered the trio of 4WDs that Nissan unveiled here, and figured I should try out some of them. So I just picked up this Xterra (having waited for an hour for it at the showroom after some potential “customer” stole the test car for longer than he was supposed to have it). It is a very basic truck that does exactly what it advertises — off-road prowess with none of the fluff.
I am currently being bombarded by press releases from carmakers touting their Something-Of-The-Year awards handed to them at a glittering ceremony by CAR Middle East magazine. And I am trashing them as soon as I receive them.