2013 Honda Civic first images released

The highly anticipated refreshed model of the ninth-generation Honda Civic is finally here. Honda has revealed the first look of the 2013 Honda Civic Sedan in advance of its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29.
The vast majority of updates for the 2013 Honda Civic are only skin-deep and Honda says that the Civic has been 'honed to make the segment's best-selling car even better.' Up front there is a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille anchored by new integrated fog lights on upper trims. The grille is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights to provide a better look. The more sculpted front end flows into a new, more deeply faceted hood, complemented by a collection of sharp new wheel designs.

 n the back, a new rear bumper design and new rear trunk lid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome trim piece. The all-new design of the jewel-like taillights now carries into the trunk face, providing a more upscale look. The rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a new lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent. A host of new alloy wheels will also be offered.
Honda has not yet revealed any other details regarding the aforementioned 'safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements' or even the mechanical changes that will round-out the 2013 Honda Civic. We certainly do hope there is more to offer as far as engine, chassis and suspension set-up is concerned.

2012 Nissan Extrem compact crossover sports concept

Nissan-This little bundle of bright orange aggression is the Nissan Extrem - a concept for a brand new kind of sporty compact crossover coupe. Designed and built in Brazil, it's just debuted at the 2012 Sao Paulo Motor Show. Seems we guessed mostly right.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Nissan says the Extrem is a unique new fun-to-drive breed: the urban sports car. It combines rakish looks, clearly influenced by everything from Nissan's GT-R supercar to its Esflow all-electric coupe concept, with a tall, crossover-style stance. Sexy but protective, no? The design team nicknamed it the 'Baby Beast', and calls it an 'urban rally car'.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-While other carmakers have certainly built good looking three-door crossovers - take the BMW X6, Range Rover Evoque and the MINI Paceman to name but three - none of those go quite as far towards sporting coupes as this. It's like a miniature Lamborghini Urus. Sort of.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The Extrem is quite a bit smaller than the Lambo, though, at less than 3.9m long and 1.8m wide. In fact, it's remarkably similar in size to the other major new crossover concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, the Volkswagen Taigun. Slightly different emphasis, however...CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Whereas VW has deliberately chosen to bring us a quite clearly production viable compact crossover, it seems unlikely Nissan is really planning to launch such a jacked-up sports coupe. It's 'strictly a concept' at this stage, but the Japanese firm is king of the SUV niche, so you never know.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Brazil is a coming global economic power, and has so far ridden out the recession with little difficulty. The Extrem demonstrates Nissan's understanding that there's a new generation of car buyers here looking for affordable individuality - the sporting emphasis an extension of the already hugely popular crossover market.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Makes you wonder why Nissan doesn't sell the Juke in Brazil already. Given the similarities, the Juke sounds like the ideal starting point for the Extrem, too. But instead the concept is based on the newer Micra platform - perhaps what we're actually looking at here is the Juke 2?CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Nissan hasn't given any performance figures for the Extrem, but says it's powered by the 1.6-litre DIG-T turbo petrol that produces 190hp in the range-topping Juke. Similarly, front-wheel drive and four-wheel versions could be offered, with Torque Vectoring for extra agility on the latter.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The overlapping surface treatment is supposed to create 'a feeling of layered armoured toughness', but it's the details that really appeal. The Extreme has unusual see-through A-pillars for improved visibility, there's a strut brace in the rear and brightly coloured accents throughout.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The Extrem rides on 19-inch wheels, is finished in Solar Cortex orange and has a roof that mixes matte and gloss textures in what's described as an 'iconic' Brazilian graphics pattern. Nissan's California-based designers worked very closely with Brazilian designers to make it appropriate for the country. Looks like they succeeded to us.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition to go on sale early next year

Starting next year Porsche is adding a new model to the already very long Panamera line-up, the Panamera Platinum Edition. The 2013 Porsche Panamera Platinum goes on sale on January 5 in western markets, and it is only offered on the V6 models.

In terms of visual appearance, the Platinum Edition gets unique platinum silver metallic inserts on the lower grille(designed specifically for the turbo model), rear diffuser, trunk lid and on the lower half of the side view mirrors for a subtle differentiation from the base Panamera.  The interior gets a few styling upgrades as well with the new black/luxor beige two-tone combination running throughout the cabin. A partial-leather interior package comes as standard, with a full leather package available. You get a sports design steering wheel and the distinctive Porsche crest on the front and rear headrests as well as the insignia 'Platinum Edition' on the front door trim strips.

Many options are now standard equipment with the Panamera Platinum Edition justifying the higher price tag as well ($4000 over the base Panamera V6) . These include the Bi-Xenon with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS) main headlights, parking assist front and rear, 19-inch Turbo alloy wheels, the Bose Audio system and heated seats for all four passengers.
The base price for the Panamera Platinum Edition will be $80,500  and for the Panamera 4 Platinum Edition will be $84,600. We expect to see these new Panameras hitting Middle Eastern roads by the middle of next year.

Men prefer wheels over heels’ says Peugeot

In a survey organized by Peugeot that involved 2,000 people in Britain, the brand concluded that Brits have a deep affection for the motor car and British men admit that they find their partner more difficult to maintain than their car.
Keen observations were as follows:

• 50% of men find their partner is more difficult to maintain than their car
• 10% of men confess to being more captivated with their cars’ alluring curves than their partners.
• 17% of Brits spend more on their car than their other half
• 13% of respondents have been with their car longer than their partner
• 14% of people think a sporty car will help them get the girl or boy of their dreams
• The biggest proportion of people who think their car is better looking than their partner, are aged 45-54 (14%). (Not surprising!)
• 18-24 year olds are more likely to have more meaningful relationships with their wheels rather than their partners
• A fifth of 25-34 year olds are more likely to regret losing their car rather than being dumped.

We at AutoMiddleEast.com think why Peugeot spent so much time, money effort on proving long known fact. This is old news!

 

2013 BMW M7 on the cards

The 2013 BMW M7 will come with rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive options.

Although the new 7 Series gets cosmetic changes and new engines, a new 2013 BMW M7 is in the offerings too. For those who can't seem to get enough from the likes of Audi S8, AMG version of the popular Mercedes S-Class or even BMW's own 760Li  riding on a V12 engine (which at best is only fast in a straight line), the 2013 BMW M7  may offer a fresh breath of air.

BMW has gone as far as registering the M7 badge as a trademark, which seems to be contradictory to popular belief that the BMW 7-Series is too much of a luxury car to wear a full M badge.

The 2013 BMW M7, akin to M division traits, will not be radically different visually. A 4.4 liter V8 with twin turbo chargers sits lurks under the bonnet, waiting to be unleashed. Propulsion will come from rear set of wheels. A four wheel drive version will be optional.

No word on how hard this will hit your wallet has been put out as yet. Stay tuned to AutoMiddleEast.com for more.

Word also goes that a hybrid 7 Series may also be coming soon. Powered by a combination of a turbo charged four cylinder N20B20 motor and an electric motor, the hybrid powertrain will produce power in excess of 245 horsepower. The hybrid car will be environmentally friendly with much lower emission levels.

2013 Range Rover | new car review

 

Land Rover's Range Rover is thought of by many as the ultimate luxury SUV, and an all new one has just been introduced. The 2013 Range Rover promises to take the stately home on wheels to a whole new level of luxury, refinement and performance.
The 2013 Range Rover is the first SUV to feature an all aluminium monocoque body, which is 39 per cent lighter than the steel body of the outgoing model. Depending on specifications, there are weight savings of up to 420 kilos which makes for drastically improved performance and economy as well as a reduction in Co2 emissions. With a drag coefficient of 0.34, the 2013 Range Rover is the slipperiest Range Rover ever.

2013 Polo Sedan launched in the Middle East

 

Continuing its product offensive, Volkswagen has launched the 2013 Polo Sedan in the Middle East. The sedan version has a longer wheelbase than the Polo hatchback and offers more legroom for rear passengers.

With a starting price tag of AED59,900, the 2013 Polo Sedan is an attractive option for a potential buyer in the segment.

A single engine is being offered on the car – a 1.6 liter capable of delivering 105 PS of power. The engine is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission.

The 2013 Volkswagen Polo Sedan rides on 15 inch wheels, comes with dual airbags for driver and passenger, anti lock brakes, central locking system and keyless entry.

The 2013 Polo Sedan has been produced for the Middle East market in Volkswagen India’s plant in Pune. Opened in 2009 the Pune plant is one of the most modern plants in the Volkswagen Group.

Prices start from AED 59,900.