Volkswagen Golf GTI v Peugeot 205 GTI

Volkswagen - The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the granddaddy of all hot hatchbacks, but when the mk2 version came along in 1983 it was clear rival carmakers wanted a piece of the action - not least Peugeot with its GTI version of the 205. 

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Peugeot - Both are considered outright classics now, and if you can find an unmolested example of either going for a reasonable price you should snap it up. 

Peugeot 205 GTI

MINI v Audi A1

MINI - And finally, these two may be cute, but they're certainly serious rivals. It took a long time for a major premium rival to come along and challenge the MINI, but Audi's A1 has taken up the fight with aplomb. 

MINI

Audi - It's not that we're saying the Fiat 500 and Citroën DS3 are also-rans, but really only Audi has the clout to do this battle justice. Pick the MINI if you prefer the best driving fun, the A1 if you hanker after a more serious image. 

Audi A1

2012 Hyundai Centennial

The Hyundai Centennial is the flagship car for the Korean carmaker and it successfully competes with the best sedans in the world. The Centennial is the third rear-wheel-drive product in Hyundai’s lineup and uses high-tensile steel in critical areas throughout the unibody that provides it with significantly higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure weight.

Hyundai Centennial

The Centennial is loaded with features such as adaptive air-suspension, front and rear facing cameras, massaging drivers seat, navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and much more. The Hyundai Centennial offers a Lexicon-branded state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7technology. The Lexicon surround sound audio system includes a 13-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing 608 watts of power in 7.1 discrete surround sound audio.
It is powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine that produces 370bhp of maximum power and 440Nm of maximum torque. This is powerhouse is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends powers to the rear wheels.
Standard safety features on the Hyundai Centennial are Electronic Stability Control (ESC), nine airbags, electronic active front head restraints, lane departure warning system and smart cruise control. The Hyundai Centennial even has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system that optimally manages ESC, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety.
The Hyundai Centennial has a total of nine airbags that include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants and a driver’s knee airbag.
Specifications
Price
11A GLS: AED 254,700
12A GLS: AED 263,000
Engine
4.6-litre V8
Max power: 370bhp at 6500rpm
Max torque: 440Nm at 3500rpm
Transmission
8-speed automatic

Mercedes E63 AMG v BMW M5

Mercedes-Benz and BMW - We've just driven the refreshed Mercedes E63 AMG - which now comes with two turbochargers and an AMG Performance package that can take the fight right to the forthcoming BMW M5. Which got us to thinking - what other great rivalries are there in the automotive world? Limiting the selection to specific models we've come up with 10 tussles that any fight promoter would be happy to bill.

Mercedes E63 AMG and BMW M5

2012 Toyota Camry | Longterm test | Part 4

Going over my past long term reviews of the 2012 Toyota Camry SE that we received two months ago, I realised that I have been praising the car left right and centre. To be honest, I have been really impressed by the car so far and finding faults with it has been next to impossible. Everything works perfectly and the fact that this is my last week with the Camry has brought about this feeling of gloom that is growing every minute.

2012 Toyota Camry

Last week I completed 4,000 kilometres in the Camry and that called for a little celebration. With all the money I managed to save thanks to the Camry’s frugal engine, I invited some friends for dinner and the next few hours saw the Camry packed with four young guys, each resembling a rugby player to say the least. This is when I realised that the Camry should have been a bit more powerful. As I have mentioned in my earlier reviews, the only thing I think the Camry lacks is power. Overtaking becomes a challenge when you have all five seats occupied and have some luggage in the boot. The engine lets out a loud whine but the car struggles a bit to increase speed. I think I’m expecting a bit too much out of this economical family car but that’s a feeling I’ve got more than once.

2012 Toyota Camry

The Camry has also crossed the 10,000 kilometres mark and that means it needs to go in for a routine service. I have felt the smoothness of the engine and the transmission fade away a bit and the wheel alignment also seems to be a bit off as the car has this slight tendency to drift towards the right. Fuel consumption too has gone up a bit but I’m confident it will return to its normal state once the car gets a service.
Facts and figures
Date acquired: 08/05/2012
Total mileage: 10,058 kilometers
Mileage since last update: 2048 kilometers
Fuel consumed: 176 litres
Average fuel consumption: 11.63

2012 Hyundai Sonata

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata represents the Korean carmaker’s modern approach to the traditional midsize sedan segment. The exterior of the Hyundai Sonata is long, light and low and carries the fluidic sculpture design language that is now adopted by almost every Hyundai car. Hyundai claims the Sonata to be more spacious than the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu.

Hyundai Sonata

The Hyundai Sonata gets a Theta II GDI 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with direct injection. The Sonata is the first midsize sedan to direct injection as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertrain. This engine produces 179bhp of maximum power and 228Nm of maximum torque and is mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.

Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is significantly lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It is also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.

A fully adjustable steering column, power windows and paddle gear shifters are part of standard equipment across the Sonata range. Also standard are front fog lamps, keyless entry and cruise control.

Hyundai offers the Sonata in four different trim levels and the 12 GL, 12A GL, 13 GL come with a single airbag and the first two variants don't get ABS. The top of the line 14A GLS variant comes with six airbags, ABS and EBD. It also gets a reversing camera and parking sensors along with navigation.

Specifications

Price:

12 GL: AED 59,000
12A GL: AED 60,900
13 GL: AED 68,900
14A GLS: AED 86,900

Engine

2.4-litre inline-4
Max power: 179bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque: 228Nm at 4000rpm

Transmission

6-speed automatic with paddle shifters

2012 Honda Accord Coupe

The 2012 Accord Coupe's exterior expresses a more upscale and powerful presence with a new style chrome grille, front bumper and rear combination lamps and a new wheel design. Building on the sedan's design character, the Accord Coupe's unique muscular stance is enhanced with a bolder front grille design, new front bumper shape, sharp rear combination lamps and a new wheel design.
Interior refinements on all models include new seat fabrics (on models with fabric seats) and new instrument panel design. The interior styling on all models provides luxury, world-class ergonomics and intuitive vehicle controls. Available as an option on Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe are new technology features like Navigation System, i-Dual Zone Automatic Air-conditioner, Bluetooth telephone connectivity (HFT) and rear view camera. The Navigation System has extensive coverage of all major roads in GCC and its large 8-inch screen and jog dial for navigation controls is easy to use.
The Accord Coupe 2.4 EX is equipped with 191bhp 2.4-liter, i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine. The higher end Accord Coupe 3.5 EX is equipped with 271bhp 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC V6 engine. Both the variants get a 5-speed automatic transmission as standard and the 3.5 EX gets steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
VSA, ABS, front airbags, front active head-rests and Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM body are standard safety features available the Accord Coupe along with curtain airbags and side
Specifications:
Price:
2.4 EX: AED 105,000
3.5 EX: AED116,000
Engine:
2.4-litre, 4-cylinder, DOHC i-VTEC
Power: 191bhp @ 7000rpm
Torque: 222Nm @ 4400rpm 3.5L,
V6, SOHC i-VTEC
Power: 271hp @ 6200rpm
Torque: 339Nm @ 5000rpm
Transmission
5-speed automatic