Drive Arabia : Dubai / Abu Dhabi [UAE, Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman & GCC]

Infiniti G37 2010 convertible debuts in Dubai

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:49:49 +0000

The 2010 Infiniti G37 convertible debuted in the UAE, at a launch event in Dubai. The new all-new model features a folding hard-top, and is the first convertible to join the Infiniti range in the GCC.

The G37 is as expected, featuring an interior similar to that of the G37 coupe. Infiniti claims that the [...]

Chevrolet Corvette 2011 gets Z06 Carbon edition

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:19:09 +0000

Taking a cue from Ford’s desperate “special-edition” Mustang models, the General has just revealed yet another variant of the Corvette. This time, it is the “limited-edition” Z06 Carbon. More than just a sticker package, the Carbon is a Z06 that benefits from some of the tech that debuted in the exotic Corvette ZR1.

This limited [...]

So we got a 2010 BMW X5 M

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:35:57 +0000

There was a time when BMW said they refuse to make an M version of the 7-Series because it would be too far away from the concept of the ‘M’ cars. They still believe that, so there is no M7. And then they went ahead and created the BMW X5 M. While the death of [...]

AC Schnitzer debuts BMW X6 M kit in Dubai

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:27:20 +0000

AC Schnitzer, the German tuning firm specialising in BMW models for decades now, debuted their ’styling’ package for the BMW X6 M at the Automodex tuner show in Dubai. This came alongside news that AC Schnitzer packages will be offered with full warranties through BMW’s Dubai dealership.

The body kit for the X6 M consists [...]

Nissan Patrol 2010 to get V6 version soon

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:58:49 +0000

Recession and petrol prices be damned, people have been scrambling to place orders for the 2010 Nissan Patrol. In the midst of the frenzy are some of our readers who’ve also been trying to book a Patrol for themselves. They also report price-gouging and promises of a V6 version.

Already, there are two V8 versions [...]

Toyota RAV4 2011 gets a new face

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:11:40 +0000

To keep things fresh ,Toyota has unveiled a facelifted version of their RAV-4 crossover 4×4 at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

The new model, dubbed as a 2010 in Europe and a 2011 for the rest of the world, has only been released for the European market so far, with its own set of fuel-sipping [...]

Toyota shows off the FT-86

Marouf Hussain — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:24:00 +0000

Finally some news from Toyota which isn’t bad. The Corolla AE-86 from the 1980s, became popular in the modified scene, with its real-wheel drive format and perfect balance. Hard to believe Corollas were cool once. The Toyota FT-86 concept was showed off by Toyota and from the looks of it, the magic could be back.

Like [...]

2010 Geneva Auto Show: Photo coverage

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:51:23 +0000

The Geneva Auto Show is among the largest automotive events in the world, and like most other motor shows outside the Middle East, the 2010 edition has a distinct focus on ‘green’ cars. Production models include hybrid models of the Porsche Cayenne, Lexus CT 200h, Toyota Auris and more, while also on display are hybrid [...]

Mercedes Benz G55 AMG modified by MANSORY

Marouf Hussain — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:40:30 +0000

The Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG has been modified both inside and outside by tuner company MANSORY. The G55 AMG, popular among in this region, has gone for a complete carbon-fibre makeover. Only seven will be available. It is called the MANSORY G-Couture.

The whole exterior has been changed to carbon-fibre, and that also the most expensive [...]

Nissan, Mazda & Jeep join recall season

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:21:40 +0000

For what seemed like ages, there was no rain. But then when it finally rains, it pours. And we aren’t even talking about the stormy local weather. Nissan, Mazda and Jeep have joined the runaway recall bandwagon, while GM and Hyundai have managed to keep their noses clean in the UAE.

Nissan is recalling thousands [...]

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept revealed

Marouf Hussain — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:34:56 +0000

The Porsche 918 Spyder is not only going to be super fast, but also super fuel-efficient as it will be a hybrid. Already electric versions of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid being released, the 918 Spyder will also follow Porsche’s new trend of building fast cars while keeping [...]

Driving tips: What to do in the rain

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:54:12 +0000

Suddenly, the rainy season is upon us, and as usual, no one has any idea what to do when it’s pouring hard in a storm. There isn’t much that needs to be known beyond some common sense.

Slow down. Leave earlier, because you will drive slowly. Avoid sudden braking. Use the brakes as lightly as possible. Leave longer [...]

Hennessey releases F-150 VelocityRaptor 500

Marouf Hussain — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:02:20 +0000

Hennessey Performance has built a new performance package for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Calling it the Hennessey VelociRaptor 500, power has been beefed up significantly creating one quick off-road beast.

The 5.4-litre V8 originally has 310 hp. But Hennessey has added a supercharger to boost the power to 501 hp. Torque also jumps to [...]

Automodex aftermarket tuner show in Dubai

Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:53:36 +0000

Discovery Exhibition Organizers announced the launch of AutomodEx 2010 during a press conference today. The event will be held at the Dubai Autodrome from March 9 to 12, 2010 and aims to become UAE’s flagship high performance tuning exhibition. It combines “the elements of an exotic car and bike show, a radio controlled race tournament [...]

LUMMA Design upgrades BMW X6M to 650 hp monster

Marouf Hussain — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:57:25 +0000

The CLR X 650 M is LUMMA Design’s latest creation. Sporting an upgraded engine and some aggressive styling, this modified beamer looks simply awesome.

The BMW X6M has around 555 hp on its standard V8 model. The people at LUMMA have upgraded this to a whopping 650 hp. Torque is also increased from 680 Nm [...]

Audi RS5 2011 revealed

Marouf Hussain — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:10:24 +0000

Audi has just revealed the 2011 Audi RS5 model. The coupe, based on the Audi A5, packs a powerful V8 4.2-litre engine with an all-wheel drive system.

The high-revving V8 engine produces 444 hp at 8250 rpm and maximum torque of 420 Nm is available between 4000 to 6000 rpm. Packed with an S tronic [...]

Lexus CT 200H 2011 hatchback revealed

Marouf Hussain — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:30:23 +0000

The 2011 Lexus CT 200H, was made keeping the European market in mind, hence the five-door hatchback design. This is a hybrid model and is going to compete in the premium compact segment. Lexus wants to target younger customers for this model.

The exterior looks a bit similar to the IS300 in some sections, and [...]

Peugeot 508 2011 concept design revealed

Marouf Hussain — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:23:19 +0000

Details of the 2011 Peugeot 508, which will be the replacement for the 407 and 607 models, have been revealed. Featuring a big grill and rounded curves all over, it looks pretty good in these initial pictures. The engine details have only been released for the hybrid model.

As Peugeot is calling the 508 the “5 [...]

Porsche Cayenne 2011 revealed with UAE prices

Marouf Hussain — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:22:41 +0000

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne has been revealed. Always popular in this region, the new Porsche Cayenne is certain to turn heads. Power and fuel efficiency has improved in all the models.

Looking at the engine specs, the entry model Cayenne gets a 300 hp 3.6-litre V6 engine. The Cayenne S gets a 400 hp 4.8-litre [...]

Volkswagen CrossPolo 2010 revealed

Marouf Hussain — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:21:39 +0000

Volkswagen has revealed the Volkswagen CrossPolo 2010 for the compact class market. Originally designed to be a special edition model for the Polo Fun, the CrossPolo is now being released as a full production model.

The five-door CrossPolo has been given a “rugged all-terrain look” by giving it a 15 mm higher ride height than the [...]