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Feel the adrenaline
Rev up with Oman Today’s spotlight on the hottest wheels this March

The all-new SX4

Suzuki has unveiled the SX4, a crossover vehicle that opens a new segment for those seeking a combination of sporty looks, performance and affordability.

With a 2-litre petrol engine of 143bhp, the SX4 has enough in terms of style and substance. Designed for precise handling, the SX4 has rigid suspension mounts, front strut precision tuning and rear torsion beam suspension, all to ensure a comfortable drive. The interiors bolster modernity and an ergonomic design. A broad array of inbuilt safety measures inspires confidence in the driver, including antilock braking system (ABS), an electronic brake force distribution system, an electronic stability programme (ESP), a rigid safety body structure and a dual airbag protection system.
For more details, call Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan on 24 571110.

The fastest Golf

The all wheel drive Golf R32, the fastest Golf ever to emerge from Volkswagen, was adjudged the ‘Best Sports Car’ at the third annual Autocar 2006 Middle East Awards. The new R32 has a combination of standard four-wheel drive (4Motion), 184kW/ 250hp, a 0-100kmph timing of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 250kmph. Commenting on the award, Andreas Prinz, managing director of Volkswagen Middle East, said, “The R32 car is the real deal. It truly epitomises all that makes for a good sports car - style, brilliant handling and lots of power.”

Luxury off the road

The ML 63 AMG, the most powerful 4WD produced by Mercedes-Benz, overcame strong competition to win the ‘Best Luxury SUV’ of the year 2006 awarded by Autocar Middle East, a leading motoring magazine in the region, according to a press release from the carmaker.

The ML 63 AMG boasts a new 6.3l V8 engine that unleashes 510hp of power at 6,800rpm and a maximum torque of 630Nm at 5,200rpm powering the vehicle from 0-100kmph in only five seconds.

“The ML 63 AMG offers very powerful performance that excites like no other off roader in its segment,” said Johannes Fritz, director, sales and marketing, Mercedes Car Group, Middle East. “The Mercedes-Benz ML started the luxury SUV trend nearly ten years ago. Now, despite strong competition from rivals, this award recognises that we still lead the field.”

Safe in a Subaru

The Subaru Legacy, Forester and B9 Tribeca have been named Top Safety Picks for 2007 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS rates vehicles as good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on performance in high speed front and side crash tests, and for the neck protection offered by seats and head restraints in rear impact. To be designated a Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn a rating of good in all three tests.

The New Pickup

Mazda’s old B-series has been replaced by the BT-50. The new truck will feature two engine variants, both in petrol – a 2.6-litre engine and a smaller 2.2-litre version for better fuel economy. Consumers will also have the option of choosing between a 4WD and 2WD version, as well a single or double cabin body type. The BT-50 also sports dual front airbags and side-impact airbags, while modifications to the suspension system in the car have resulted in better driveability.

Towell Auto Centre expects to sell between 850 and 900 of these new units each year. “We intend to increase our share to 22 per cent of the pickup market,” said Paul Valiyaveetil, business manager of Towell Auto Centre, authorised distributors of Mazda.