Motor Sport Nationals

June 17, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Volkswagen Touareg: The People’s SUV

Everyone in the Volskwagen Group seems to be making SUVs, Porsche’s Cayenne and Audi Q7 spring to mind. Now this may not be the Group’s flagship, but the Volkswagen Toaureg is VW’s flagship SUV. The Touareg is not doing as well as VW would have liked, however that isn’t to say that it’s an awful SUV. The main chagrin with it is that there are other cheaper offerings that offer relatively the same features in the market.

What’s in a Name?

The Touuareg are a nomadic people that inhabit the Sahara in North Africa.

June 13, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Audi A7: Four-Door Coupes, It’s a German Thing

Okay, when it comes to four door coupes we don’t have as many options as compared to other auto segments. Each option offers its own perks, but the Audi A7 is something truly special. This is a really special car that contends to be at the top of its class. Rivalling the A7, are all German exports Porsche Panamera, BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes CLS-Class, however facing such esteemed competition, the A7 really holds its own.

The History

Back in the 2009 Detroit Auto Show the Audi Sportback concept was unveiled, and it had the underpinnings of the A7. Later in 2010, the production version was first unveiled in Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich and then at that year’s Paris Motor Show. It was based on the Volkswagen Group MLB platform. This time the A7 was released before the A6 sedan, which was unconventional.

June 13, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

BMW 5-Series: BMW’s 5th Symphony

The BMW 5-Series has somewhat fallen down the pecking order, as it has lost some of the luster that made it such a hot commodity in days gone by. Especially, with new players like the Volvo S90 and Hyundai Genesis, BMW really needs to revamp the 5-Series or face the prospect of being phased out. However, this is the second bestselling BMW in the market and still the de facto go-to executive car for most. The 5-Series is incredibly important to BMW and it accounted for 50% of BMW’s profits in 2010. It is the second bestselling car from BMW after the 3-Series, and it reached the 5 million mark back in January, 2008.

June 8, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Nissan Altima: A Good Mid-Sized General

The Nissan Altima is really a great car that seems to have learnt something some cars struggle with, reinvention. This is a car that has been different things at different times, at one point it was a compact, today it’s a mid-sized sedan. Its success can be attributed to its near psychic ability to know what the market needs at any time. This was the second-bestselling car in America back in 2011, which says a lot about how car buyers have taken to it in droves. The Altima holds its place somewhere between the Maxima and the Sentra.

June 8, 2016Cris Shaki 1 Comment

Nissan Pathfinder: An Off Road Master

The Pathfinder is a great 4×4 that is meant to rival the likes of Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Discovery 4. The word there is “meant,” however to be fair the Pathfinder is quite affordable. You do get more car for the money. This rugged SUV shares a platform with the Navara truck, and is a seven-seat three-row SUV. It has either front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations.

The History

Nissan produced its first generation Pathfinder that featured a two-door SUV back in 1985. It shared its styling and components from the Nissan Hardbody Truck. This was Nissan’s response to the competitive offerings of its rivals such as the Jeep Cherokee and the Toyota 4Runner. Production of this Pathfinder lasted until 1995.

June 7, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Subaru Outback: A 4×4 Station Wagon

It seems with every new Outback, Subaru are upping the ante where they are consistently trying to make their cars have a more premium feel. However, they are careful note to overindulge as if the interior becomes too plush the price might become inflated, leaving out some of its targeted customers. The balancing act away this is a very able off roader especially those who want an all-wheel drive car at an affordable price.

What’s in a Name?

This car is named after the large and arid outback regions of Australia. Its moniker helps supplement its image as a moderate off-road capable vehicle.

June 7, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Volvo S90: Volvo’s New Flagship Sedan

Volvo as an automaker has had some problems with its brand. At one point it was viewed as a luxury brand imposter, however post the Chinese takeover the Volvo has recaptured the hearts and minds of luxury car buyers especially with the XC90. The XC90 has been rather successful and it seems the Swedish car maker has built up some much needed momentum. With this in mind, Volvo are on the midst of revamping their sedans with the first model being the Volvo S90. For the German automakers, it looks like they should pay keen attention to what the Swedes are doing, because the executive saloon segment is about to become even more competitive.

June 6, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Subaru Legacy: A Legacy of All-Wheel Drive

Subaru has been doing quite well with its SUVs, however when it comes to its family cars it feels like things haven’t gone according to plan. The Subaru has a niche it’s an affordable fun to drive car, however having a single niche doesn’t mean you’ll be guaranteed survival in the cutthroat auto business. Seemingly, intuitively Subaru have recognized this and have released a somewhat more premium feeling and looking Subaru Legacy.

The History

The first Subaru Legacy was released back in January, 1989 in its domestic market Japan. It went on to be available from Japanese dealerships on February the same year, then later it was available worldwide in 1990. As part of its original plans the Legacy was built to compete with the likes of the Altima, Camry and Accord in the North American market.

June 6, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Mercedes Benz G-Class: Attention Please

When you are looking for a serious off-roader there are a few notable picks. We have the Land Rover Defender, the Jeep Wrangler and finally the Mercedes Benz G-Class. The G-Wagen as it is popular known features the same rugged box shape that is the hallmark of serious off roaders. The car is manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr, which was formerly known as the Steyr-Daimler-Puch. With this in mind the G-Wagen is sold under the Puch name in select markets as the Puch G.

What’s in a Name?

The G-Class is sometimes referred to as the G-Wagen, which is short for the German word Gelandewagen which means “cross country vehicle.”

June 5, 2016Cris Shaki No Comments

Peugeot 308: A Wonderful Hatch from France

If you want to rule the selling charts in the American market make a crossover, however if you want to be at the top of the UK market make a family hatch. This says a lot, probably Americans are a little bit more extravagant, while the English come off a little more efficient. The family hatch segment is a hotly contested category that seems to hit up every new model year. The Peugeot 308 is pitted against the likes of the Astra, Octavia and the Golf. Though this may seem like a tall order the 308 easily rivals any of the aforementioned.