So, when my colleague asked if I’d like to write about the new presidential car that was being developed for President-elect Donald Trump, my reply was “I don’t know if I want to write about his car, but I do know I’d like a car to run over him”. I shall keep my personal feelings to myself as I proceed to write henceforth.
Proton introduced the first of its Design Series, the Limited Edition Iriz, at the Malaysia Autoshow 2016, which is taking place from 10 to 13 November. Basically, the Limited Editions are the existing 1.3 Standard CVT and 1.3 Executive CVT variants, embellished with two types of decals, which Proton describes, without aggrandizement, as Honeycomb and The Stripe (on the Proton website, they are described as Geo Rhythm and Urban Stripe…we much prefer the straightforward descriptors used in the press release).
Get out of the way LaFerrari (it was a stupid name anyway), the next Ferrari’s are slated to get a hybrid drivetrain to partner the V12 petrol engine. For all you Ferrari tifosi’s*, there is no need to worry though, as in true Ferrari and Sergio Marchionne style, the addition of a hybrid lump within the slender and refined lines of a Ferrari is not about our favourite prancing stallion becoming all green and environmentally conscious.
Until last year, Ford had not officially sold its Mustang in Europe, which probably was a good thing as the older models really didn’t match up to the hype. Notorious for less than excellent build quality and substandard handling ability, Ford had left its running pony very firmly back on the ranch in the good old US of A.
The big buzz around Detroit is the news that Cadillac is to offer 400 of its dealerships the chance to be bought out of their franchise, for sums ranging up to US$180,000. That’s assuming they do not want to spend the money upgrading their showrooms and facilities, and adapt to the luxury brand’s new sales and incentive dealership programme that will be unveiled to the public at the end of the year.
