With 2017 comes the mid-cycle refresh of the current and 7th generation Volkswagen Golf, bringing more power to the GTI, a racier new GTI Performance model and a 1.5-litre TSI engine for staple models with cylinder deactivation and a 7-speed DSG for the rest of the range.
The all-new generation of the Mini Countryman has made its first web appearance before its world premiere at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, this November. The new 2017 Countryman is a bigger, more versatile and even has a plug-in hybrid model in the range – the first for the brand.
The 2017 Nissan X-Trail has received a facelift, at least in some markets. Known as the Nissan Rogue in the U.S. market, it features their new corporate “V-Motion” exterior design, along with the addition of a hybrid engine.
The Nissan Sentra is getting refreshed with the addition of a sportier version, the SR Turbo, which gets a turbocharged engine. The 2017 Sentra will feature a new face with Nissan’s V-Motion grille similiar to that of the Maxima and Altima.
Following the arrival of the 40th anniversary Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in April this year, the Middle East now gets the Clubsport with a 6-speed manual transmission option.
Mercedes-Benz has chopped the roof off it’s flagship sports car and created the new 2018 AMG GT roadster. It has been revealed just a few days prior to this year’s Paris Motor Show where it’s first public appearance is slated to happen.
Audi has officially revealed the 2017 Q3 facelift recently. While performance is generally the same, the new look certainly gives it a more aggressive touch.
The German giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz has locked horns in every imaginable way since the time of their inception. Recently, Mercedes rivaled the BMW X6 with the GLE coupe and now they have done the same with the GLC Coupe by pitting it against the BMW X4. And as BMW’s tuning division M Sport laid their hands on the X4 to produce the BMW X4 M40i, Mercedes has come up with the GLC43 AMG Coupe.
Downsizing of engines is getting popular especially in the recent years as emission norms have grown more constricting than ever before. The introduction of forced induction has aided this process in big ways. And now Land Rover has jumped on the bandwagon as the 2017 Range Rover Sport has received a new downsized diesel engine for 2017 as well as new features.
It is said that all good things must come to an end. My time with the BMW came to an end when I accepted a new job in Kuwait. With the rules there prohibiting expats from importing cars, that meant the only course of action was to (very) reluctantly sell my beloved blue pocket rocket.