GM’s comeback has been been successful through two main methods. One method was getting rid of some of their highly-criticized brands. The other was to improve their cars. Since their resurgence, they have upgraded most of their cars. While the looks have undergone interesting improvements, the base engines have been just about average.
The Porsche Boxster has undergone comprehensive changes for the 2013 model year, even though it looks largely the same to the untrained eye.
Suzuki has unveiled a concept SUV that hints at a future model. Dubbed the XA-Alpha concept, the design was unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo.
It’s no secret that we’ve done extremely well over the past year, financially. As the most popular-yet-hated automotive portal in the region, we’re finally getting our dues in terms of advertising money from carmakers we haven’t pissed off. What better way to celebrate than to buy a new car, especially since we’ve sold off our longstanding Jeep and BMW late last year. We were having crazy thoughts at the time on what our new mascot car should be, as we were looking at everything from the upgraded Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 to the new Porsche 911 Carrera, with everything in between,
America’s largest motoring exhibition, the Detroit Auto Show, is back for 2012. As usual, it is playing host to countless debuts, such as the new 2013 iterations of the Ford Fusion, the Lexus LX 570, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, among others. Also crowding the stands are numerous concepts, such as the Honda NSX, the Nissan Pathfinder, the Lexus LF-LC and others. Photos by Newspress.
There isn’t much to report on our 2009 Renault Safrane, the car that we’ve owned from new, and driven by my father. It was my top pick for a reliable car to replace his old 1997 Toyota Corolla. And so far, my decision is proving to be right.
The Hyundai Veloster is in the news again. After gaining so much popularity for its quirky design, Hyundai’s 3-door youth car was fast diminishing from the spotlight for obvious reasons. Highly underpowered for a supposed sporty car, the Veloster is powered by a naturally-aspirated 138 hp 1.6-litre with direct injection. Even better, the GCC were given a 130 hp version of the same engine, minus the direct injection. But for some at least, Hyundai has addressed the issue with a turbo now.
It’s fun to keep repeating that the 2012 Toyota Camry is the most anticipated car of 2012. But as much as we like to repeat it, when we finally hit the road with one before anyone else, it didn’t illicit any reaction from the public wherever it went. In fact, we started getting unwanted attention from tailgating taxi-driving jerks on the highway instead. Could no one notice the substantial changes beyond the badge?
Hot on the heels of a facelift for the 2012 Toyota Land Cruiser, its stablemate, the Lexus LX 570, receives a substantial frontal facelift.
The all-new 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan has debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, touting styling that seems to meld an Aston Martin front end with the rear of a Ford Mondeo. Interestingly, the same car will also be launched in Europe as the Ford Mondeo, so it remains to be seen what it will be called in GCC markets.