Feature Stories

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class made its debut in the GCC, with the German manufacturer calling it their most intelligent car yet. While we have yet to get proper wheel-time with it, Mercedes-Benz is keen to point out that their ‘smart car’ has a whole host of new active safety features. We got chaperoned around at an event to experience some of the safety features which are part of the optional Driving Assistance Packing available in the 2017 E-Class.

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The last Kia we drove was the latest Kia Sorento. It was an impressive crossover in every possible way, except one — it was pretty darn boring to drive. Still, it ended up on our recommended list because it at least handled decently. Every Kia we drove before that was even worse in terms of driving dynamics. Kia has been constantly improving over the past half-decade, and the latest Optima looks like it could finally be up there with its Japanese and American rivals. So it was with great anticipation that we got behind the wheel of a turbocharged 2017 Optima GT for a quick spin while we were in Oman as judges for the 2016 Oman Auto Excellence Awards,

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If you’re a regular reader, you may have caught our Ferrari 488 GTB reviews which, if you read between the lines, would realise that it is probably the best supercar today, barring those ultra-expensive limited-production hypercars. However, we never drove it on a racetrack before, which is exactly why we decided to attend Ferrari’s Passione Rosso customer event at Yas Marina Circuit last weekend, which had a little corner reserved just for us media people.

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The current generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been around for half a decade now, with a second facelift debuting for the 2017 model year. Changes are minimal, and there is no reason to change it anyway, considering what a fine product it continues to be even now. However, a new Trailhawk model has been added to the line-up, and we got the chance to try it out in and around the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.

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The Chevrolet Malibu burst onto the local midsize sedan scene back in 2010 after being absent for almost a decade. I still remember it because we trundled around in one for a month and actually enjoyed it, as it drove like a car that was aiming higher than it needed to, with excellent handling, two-tone interiors, a huge wheelbase and luxury-grade ride quality. Unfortunately its lifespan was cut short as it was replaced by an inferior product with a shorter-wheelbase Opel chassis, longer overhangs and much less character, although we never actually drove it. Now the new generation is here,

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Infiniti raised a few eyebrows when they suddenly launched a 400 hp version of the Infiniti Q50. Featuring an all-new turbocharged motor, the Japanese premium carmaker finally had something to brag about when pitched against the Germans, all of whom have had boosted engines for a decade already. We were invited to try out the Infiniti Q50 S Red Sport 400, as it’s called, at the Dubai Autodrome for the GCC launch.

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The Dodge Neon is back, but not in the way you think. While the original was an all-American compact sedan, the new one is born from the Fiat-Chrysler conglomerate. In fact, the 2017 Dodge Neon started life as a Fiat Tipo, and it was was even displayed at the last Dubai Motor Show as such.

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The exterior as well as the interior are familiar. It feels like being back home. Everything we know about the Nissan Patrol is here. And we know a lot, since we bought one earlier this year. But ours is the LE V8. This is the new Patrol SE V6, a replacement for the discontinued SE V8. And the only way you can tell the difference is when you mash the throttle pedal.

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The current Jaguar XJ is the flagship model that set the styling tone for all Jaguars that came after it, and while several new models have joined the range, the XJ itself is getting a bit long in the tooth. However, it’s hard to complain when it looks as modern as ever, and very unique in a class where rivals are increasingly aping the Mercedes-Benz S-Class for inspiration. Jaguar has kept the XJ fresh by playing with powertrain options over the years, and the XJR you see here is the most powerful one you can get.

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