Abu Dhabi Motors, the sole dealer for BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini in the UAE capital, just opened the world’s largest BMW showroom last week. A VIP party was on February 14 to celebrate the opening of the massive new showroom facility, although the Rolls-Royce section was already opened last year.
The 2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang is now officially available at Ford showrooms in the UAE. If anyone remembers, the Roush Mustang was offered with the cheesy “The Shamal” branding last year, but this year, it will simply go as the “Roush Stage 3” Mustang, with more power for 2012.
We knew it was a station wagon. We knew it had big “Emirates Gas” stickers on the sides. We knew it was going to get no respect on Dubai roads. But we specifically asked to drive this car — the 2012 Volkswagen Passat Ecofuel Variant. Because this is the only Euro-spec 2012 Passat in the country. But more specifically, it runs on CNG as well.
It’s been a while now since the new 2012 Porsche 911 was unveiled to the world a few months ago, so the changes are already obvious to all but the casual observer. Longer, wider and lower than before, it is a completely new model. And yet, when we laid eyes on it at the GCC launch event in Abu Dhabi, it looked like a facelift of the previous generation. But then again, so has every other 911 since 1963.
The 2012 Lexus ES 350 is now available in the UAE, and looks the same as before. The best way to spot it is by the dealer-installed LED driving lights up front.
As part of our re-acquaintance with the Mercedes-Benz brand, we were invited to the UAE leg of the 2011 AMG Performance Tour, held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The deal was that we get to stay overnight at the fancy Yas Hotel, but before that, we were subjected to a brutal assault of the senses by a variety of Mercedes-Benz AMG models.
Trying hard to redefine Detroit Muscle, Roush performance has announced an exclusive and unique serial numbered 2012 Roush Stage 3 Mustang Hyper-Series. Only 25 will be made.
The Nissan Maxima for 2012 gets a mid-life facelift with no price increase in the US at least. The exterior touch-ups is in the form of a new front grille design, new rear combination lights, two new exterior colours (Java Metallic and Dark Slate) and new 18-inch and 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels.
“The ZL1 delivers more horsepower than a Ferrari 458, more torque than an Aston Martin DB9 V12, and a better power-to-weight ratio than a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.” — Camaro Chief engineer, Al Oppenheiser.
An all-new European Honda Civic is on its way with spy shots and official teaser photos circulating on the internet. But emission restrictions have already ceased sales of the current stock Type-R across most of Europe this year. So keeping in line with the current trend of launching limited editions of limited editions, Mugen and Honda have upped the ante by launching a 2.2-litre version of the existing Civic Type-R Mugen.