Audi is late to the electric-car game, although it’s never too late in the Middle East, considering EVs are yet to take off here. So it’s interesting that the German carmaker decided to hold the international media launch of their first mainstream all-electric vehicle — the E-tron — in Abu Dhabi.
Lexus recently launched the 2019 UX200 compact crossover for the UAE. The UX200 is now their new entry-level option in the SUV lineup.
Aston Martin has been moving fast to update their line-up in recent times. We recently had a chance to drive the 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, the third release in their “new” lineup. The first being their DB11 grand tourer, followed by the sportier two-seater Vantage.
After already giving us the Renault Megane GT earlier this year, the more powerful Megane RS is now available for customers in the UAE and GCC region.
A new hypercar manufacturer from Austria has created the Milan Red, which was revealed in the UAE through their GCC dealer, Deals on Wheels. The used car dealer, which sells mostly high end cars, will be one of four agents around the world to distribute the Milan Red.
With the crossover market booming over the past decade, with 7-seater options particularly popular in the U.S. market, Volkswagen finally jumped on the bandwagon and created the Teramont, their largest SUV. Built in the States and known as the Atlas over there, the Teramont is a logical addition for the GCC market as well, even if it is confusingly placed between the Tiguan and the flagship Touareg in terms of price.
Audi officially launched the Q8 in the GCC a few months ago as their new SUV flagship, with a drive around Omani mountains. Late to the game when it comes to “four-door coupe crossover” thingies, the Q8 vaguely follows the design theme of the ugly BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe models, but does it in a much better job of combining an SUV with a roof design similar to a coupe.
Porsche recently held their international launch of the 2019 Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo in Bahrain. Like the previous generation, the Panamera GTS sits between the 4S and Turbo variants, with enough options between the three to give potential buyers a variety of choices.
Chevrolet has entered the electric car market in the Middle East with the introduction of the Bolt EV. This model has already been on sale in the United States since late 2016, and then reached European shores as an Opel Ampera-e the following year. We were given a glimpse of the Bolt at last year’s Dubai Motor Show and it’s now available in UAE showrooms.
Nissan Middle East has launched the 2019 Nissan Patrol with new exterior colours, accessories and added safety features, exclusive to the UAE and select GCC markets.