The U.S. NHTSA safety agency has announced two factory recalls for the Volvo XC60 and various other older Volvo models involving problems with fuel systems. The recall covers more than 140,000 vehicles manufactured since 2000.
The 2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72, yet another one of countless Elise variants, now celebrates the return of Lotus in the 2010 F1 season. It is named after the Lotus Type 72 Formula One racecar which achieved 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975.
Quite possibly the most anticipated electric car in the history of electric cars, the 2011 Chevrolet Volt is evidently almost ready. Unlike the non-moving prototype displayed at the Dubai Motor Show, there exists several working prototypes of the Volt. This video shows one burning rubber around a parking-lot autocross course. While we are supposed to marvel at its agility, it isn’t particularly remarkable except for the fact that it is so boringly quiet.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet finally joins the redesigned E-Class line-up for next year. The open-top two-door model, which goes on sale in the first quarter of 2010 in the GCC, will be introduced as a 2010 or a 2011 model, depending on the market.
Debuting at the 2009 Dubai Motor Show, the Nissan Altima sedan and coupe models receive a few changes for 2010, including a restyled bonnet, grille, front bumper and rear license plate finisher, along with new wheel designs.
McLaren Automotive has announced the appointment of Ian Hession as its new sales manager for Middle East and Africa. He will support regional director, Ian Gorsuch, as the new car manufacturer gears up for the launch of the first in its range of high performance cars — the MP4-12C — in early 2011.
It took long enough, but the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, quiet possibly the most aggressive offroad truck ever, is on display at the 2009 Dubai Motor Show, and it will be offered in GCC countries sometime next year.
General Motors had an overbearing number of brands up until earlier this year, after spending the last few decades picking up random brands for no apparent reason. One of those brands was the Sweden-based Saab, maker of quirky unwanted cars that no one outside Sweden seems to want. GM itself underwent bankruptcy this year, got bought out by Obama’s government, and has been cutting down its portfolio. GM tried to sell Saab to Koenigsegg, then to the Chinese, and then to Spyker. After those talks failed, GM has announced that they are killing Saab.
General Motors has unveiled the 2011 GMC Acadia Denali in the United States, in time for the Detroit Auto Show. It is a natural extension of the Denali line, and finally offers up the Chevy Traverse’s upgraded engine in the Acadia.
The all-new 2010 Jaguar XJ was publicly displayed at the 2009 Dubai Motor Show for the first time in the UAE, after a press preview earlier in the week. On display were the regular and long-wheelbase models, although it would take a keen eye to figure out which is which. Photos by Faisal Khatib.