Mexican-built corporate twins, the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan, have barely been on sale in the GCC for a year, but they’ve been available in the American market since at least 2006. Therefore, the cars are due for a major facelift in 2010, and these are the first photos of the production-ready models.
Suddenly on sale now in Dubai and the UAE is the refreshed 2009 Kia Optima, with a facelifted exterior, and “a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy.” The 2009 Optima midsizer is also supposedly larger than its predecessors, but we have doubts about that, along with questions over the engine specs.
I hear from AutoMiddleEast that the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GLK was launched at a public event in Dubai. Ironically, while I never heard about this event, I have been invited to a GCC press drive event in Oman, to show off the compact new GLK’s capabilities.
The Toyota Prius has become a fashion icon around the world for those who want to appear environmentally-conscious. It was the world’s first mass-produced four-door hybrid, powered by a petrol engine mated to an electric engine that recharged itself through regenerative braking technology. The current generation of the Prius is most recognisable, and Toyota has chosen to keep its existing shape for the 2010 model, while updating some styling, tech and interior details.
Ford chose Dubai’s GITEX 2008 tech-trade show as the venue to launch their 2009 Ford Flex crossover, equipped with their much-hyped Sync entertainment system.
Porsche held multiple events over the weekend to launch the refreshed 2009 911 range in various GCC countries. Attending the Dubai press event, I saw the new version, and had a hard time picking out differences from the older version. However, most of the changes were under the skin.
Our buddies at AutoMiddleEast report that the 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse will hit the streets of Dubai soon. In fact, their editor has gone on a press trip to Japan for a drive on a track, as Mitsubishi secretly starts promoting the Eclipse as well as the Lancer Ralliart before their imminent GCC launch.
The soft-top Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport was launched at a press event today in Dubai. I already reported on it before, so look it up for details. But I learned a few new things.
I am feeling a bit depressed right now. I value my cars as much as people value their family jewelry. But thanks to some new laws coming soon, the value of my decent 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.6 AMG dropped as low as the price of my new mobile phone. It is the ultimate slap in the face for me, as it was my first car, bought in 2004 with my own earnings back in college, when every other kid on campus had a brand new car gifted by daddy. I can only drive it for two more years before it is scrapped,
In what amounts to the lamest attempt at cost-cutting, Seat has just unveiled a “new” sedan model at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, called the Exeo. It would’ve been interesting, except for the fact that it is just an older-generation Audi A4 sedan with new front and rear designs. Seat was a source of unique designs relative to VW’s boring overpriced cars, but now it seems to be transitioning into a dumping ground for the VW Group’s unwanted designs.