The black year for American motoring is over and Ford is on a charge in many ways. In the Middle East it is the launch of the new Taurus that excites the brandAuthor: Charles Aitchison | Photography: Basim Al Muharbi  2010 Ford Taurus The question is, can the Taurus live up to the very high standards set by its stable-mates the Mondeo and Focus? The latter two are built in Europe, and are very strong in terms of build quality, comfort and dynamics. So does the fact that the Taurus is made in America make any difference? The short answer is - yes and no. In terms of ride, handling, comfort and noise suppression it does not. In terms of build quality it does. That’s not to say it’s shoddily built, just that it’s not up to the same quality standard as some others with the same badge. Panel fit and shut-lines can’t match the standard as projected by Japanese and European standards, whilst the quality of the interior fittings and furnishings is reasonable rather than commendable.
Tags: What would Colin Chapman have made of the new Evora? It keeps its roots firmly with the heritage of Lotus while trying to appeal to a whole new audience. Automan tests the carAuthor: Raj Warrior | Photography: Shakeel Al Balushi  Lotus Evora
Tags: The Daihatsu Sirion continues to silently capture the fancy of people with large needs and limited budgetsAuthor: Charles Aitchison | Photography: Basim Al Muharbi  Daihatsu Sirion
Has Aston Martin, the Gaydon, UK-based luxury sports carmaker cracked the 2+2 slot with its V12-engined four-door all-new Rapide? Automan discovers how a balanced combination of elegance and aggression work in tandem in Valencia  Aston Martin Rapide The KIA brand is car is carving out a space for itself among the contenders from the principally Japanese driven family car segment. The latest offering is the Cadenza. Automan looks at the car’s potential in an entrenched segment | Author: Raj Warrior | Photography: Basim Al Muharbi |  KIA Cadenza Tags: Honda has a penchant for making driver’s cars - the Accord Coupe, built on the Sedan’s underpinnings, makes a case for itself  Accord Coupe The sedan car market may be under pressure in most parts of the world but that isn’t preventing car makers from extending their sedan platforms into other spin-offs. Like all great manufacturers of yore, Hoda is no stranger to the genre. If you look back a decade you will see that the Accord-Prelude duo were perfect examples of the same essential car serving two entirely different market sets. Today that equation is served by the simultaneous development of the Accord Sedan and Coupe.
Stand by for action as the sixth generation 2010 VW Golf GTI hits the roads in our region. This GTI is one of few most desirable hot hatch models of German origin, and probably among the fastest mainstream models in the segment’s history. Automan was given exclusive access to the car _fmt.jpg "2010 VW Golf GTI") 2010 VW Golf GTI After Tucson’s successful long run, the challenge of the LM project team was to conceive an even better C-class SUV than the already great original
Hyundai’s new “fluidic” design language finds confident expression in the sweeping, gently curved lines of the Tucson. The hexagonal grille previewed on the ix-onic concept at the 2009 Geneva Auto Salon moves into mass production on the Tucson/ix35, a defining look that will serve to unify the family of future Hyundai products. To achieve the desired dynamic and sporty image, Tucson gets an aggressive belt line coupled with a low-to-the-ground feel which is enhanced by the optional 225/55 R18 wheels. Aerodynamic tweaks include the addition of a rear spoiler which aids fuel efficiency. With a completely new platform and a new focus on the region, the seventh gen Patrol is here to compete with the Land Cruiser  2010 Nissan Patrol
The new Sorento is now also available with the larger 3.5-litre V6 engine to beef up its offering in the 7-seater segment
The new Cadillac SRX was put through its paces by our team, a few days after it became available to US customers
The Land Cruiser Prado gets a new shape and some really impressive re-engineering under its sleek new skin to take it back to the top of the heap. Automan gets an exclusive sneak previewThere have been some very curious pressures on the car market over the past few years. First of all the traditional family car as seen by most people seems to have metamorphed from the large sedan to a small SUV. Secondly, the concept of the SUV itself has changed for most buyers from one with almost-American upsized proportions to one that has grown out of the common floorpan of a sedan, offering convenient handling and good fuel-economy. Then thirdly, as if to accelerate the evolutionary process in its entirety, the financial crisis announced itself on the interlinked economies of the world. So now, while purchase decisions are deferred, the affordability of the smaller SUV takes precedence over most other criteria. |
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Tag:2010
Starting with a clean slate, the LM development team moved away from the two-box off-roader look in favor of a sleeker, more reformed profile while aiming for a roomier cabin, extra storage capacity and fuel economy leadership.
With a streamlined and attractive look, the new Sorento represents a modern utility vehicle that is just the right size for today’s consumer. Completely redesigned from this model year, the all-new Sorento now employs a unibody design with the ability to comfortably fit up to seven passengers, offering more space and ride comfort than the previous-generation model. Prominently displaying the signature tabbed grille and wraparound headlamps soon to be seen on all Kia models, Sorento offers a more aggressive stance and sleeker profile than the previous version.
Try to think two disparate thoughts and your mind usually freezes up. Its like the old trick of trying to rub your tummy in circles while doing something else with your left hand like patting your head. The same thing applies to thinking of the USA and trying to imagine something small. Even getting to the US is a long journey, even from here in the Middle East. But once you land in the country, getting to your next stop is another long journey, usually over a couple of time zones. The airports are big, so are their coffees and so too are their cars. Which is why you can’t usually think of American car brands like Cadillac and small sizes of cars in the same thought stream. Well, think again.