The all-new Bentley Mulsanne debuted in the UAE at an event held in Dubai. While we likely looked at a pre-production example, it offered us a view of the complete car as well as what goes into making a customised customer car.
Renault’s truck division introduced their new Kerax truck models at an event in Dubai. They also took the opportunity to introduce the Sherpa military 4×4 in civilian guise for the first time in the GCC. Also at hand were two of the 12 vehicles that went on a “cape to cape” expedition from Norway to South Africa to prove the durability of the trucks.
The 2010 Nissan Qashqai range has received a minor facelift, although mechanical changed are limited. The British market is the first to receive the new models, although the UAE should get them in the coming months.
Celebrating the start of a certain event called the “FIFA Club World Cup UAE presented by TOYOTA,” the sponsoring Japanese manufacturer has dressed up seven Toyota Yaris hatchbacks in the competing clubs’ colours.
Mitsubishi has released the first images of their upcoming new sub-compact crossover 4×4. Dubbed the Mitsubishi RVR, it is possible that it might receive a better name before it debuts next year as a 2011 model.
The Los Angeles Auto Show is one of the smaller international motor shows, with numerous no-shows at the 2009 edition due to the recession. There are only two concept cars and maybe ten all-new models displayed. All-new cars to look out for include the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe, the 2011 Infiniti M and the 2011 Ford Mustang EcoBoost V6. The fad-of-the-day in America is fuel economy, so manufacturers are happy to oblige with the Chevy Cruze, the Ford Fiesta and the Mazda 2. Rather than new-born models, there seems to be a high concentration of limited-edition models,
Some time ago, Lamborghini announced with much fanfare their “donation” of a Gallardo patrol car to the Italian police. That same Polizia-liveried Lamborghini Gallardo was destroyed after the police officer driving the supercar crashed into two parked cars. The accident took place following an exhibition where Italian police had the car on display, apparently in an event promoting road safety.
The sub-compact Mazda 2, a long-running staple of the Mazda line in Europe and Japan, has been launched for the first time in the United States as a 2011 model at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. There have also been vague rumblings that the Mazda 2 is set to go worldwide, and might eventually come to the GCC.
Audi unveiled their new R8-based E-Tron electric concept supercar at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, claiming that it produces a whopping 4500 Nm of torque. It became big news because today’s supercars barely break 1000 Nm on the spec sheet. But a U.S. car magazine investigated further and found out it was all bull.
Alfa Romeo, the embattled luxo-sport division of Fiat, has revealed the first images of their new 147 hatchback replacement. Dubbed the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, it has brand new architecture, with a rigid yet light structure made of aluminium and high-strength steel and technologies that bring it into the 21st century. It doesn’t look too bad either.