Cars
Road Test of the Nissan Kicks (2022) in the UAE
The 2022 Nissan Kicks has been refreshed from the ground up. It is very popular in the subcompact SUV market in many parts of the world. The Kicks has the mighty Nissan logo on the redesigned front grille. You also get streamlined headlamps and taillamps, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and a new 17-inch aluminum wheel design.
The vehicle itself comes in a very contrasting black roof option with the rest of the body painted in Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, Boulder Gray Pearl, and Electric Blue Metallic. Inside, SV and SR models now come with a new 8.0-inch infotainment system, and all Kicks trims now feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
You also get a Wi-Fi hotspot option on the top-spec SR trim. A lot has been redesigned, including the center console, the dashboard air vents, the front-seat armrest, and the door-trim panels, which now feature silver-painted accents. There’s also adaptive cruise control in addition to an electronic parking brake with an auto brake-hold feature.
The Nissan Kicks is offered in three different trim levels – S, SV, and SR. The one we reviewed was the XX trim. The Kicks uses a 122-horsepower four-cylinder engine, to derive its power. You also get continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. You also get keyless ignition, a very powerful air conditioning system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
The variant we tested was the SV trim and this trim comes with added features. This includes alloy wheels, heated mirrors, roof rails, and rear disc brakes for enhanced braking performance. You also get a center armrest console between the front seats, automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, adaptive cruise control, and a drowsy driver monitor. The drowsy driver monitor issues an alert if the sensors determine you are becoming fatigued.
The bold exterior look of the Kicks continues with the interior with a surprisingly spacious cabin. While the Nissan Kicks looks a bit small from the outside, it is very spacious inside with a good amount of legroom and headroom. The Kicks impressed us with its results in our cargo tests, matching and beating some larger rivals.
The 122-hp four-cylinder engine on the Kicks reaches from 0 to 100-kmph in a little more than 9 seconds. However, the ride quality is surprisingly good for such a small SUV. Around town, it feels quite perky so long as you’re willing to rev the engine. The suspension on this one has also been tuned for more comfort, and it provided a well-cushioned ride even over uneven roads.
The steering is direct and accurate. Even in tight corners and roundabouts, it felt planted on the ground. In terms of fuel economy, we clocked around 6.5 liters per 100 km, which is very good for a compact SUV. For a price of AED 61900, the Nissan Kicks is truly worth your investment.
The Nissan Kicks offers plenty of features, has good cargo space, and offers excellent fuel economy. Combine all of that with refreshed exterior and interior, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay feature, and a bunch of other features along with a pocket-friendly price, and you have got a winner in your hands!
Price: AED 61900
Nissan Kicks (2022) AED 61900
Summary
The bold exterior look of the Kicks continues with the interior with a surprisingly spacious cabin. While the Nissan Kicks looks a bit small from the outside, it is very spacious inside with a good amount of legroom and headroom. The Kicks impressed us with its results in our cargo tests, matching and beating some larger rivals.
User Review
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Galadari Automobiles Inaugurates New Showroom and Launches Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 Models in the UAE
Galadari Automobiles Co. has launched the MAZDA CX-60 and CX-90 models during the inaugural ceremony of the all-new Mazda Showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. With meticulous precision, the first-ever Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 models have been built to embody automotive perfection, striking an ideal balance between performance and finesse. Both the CX-60 and CX-90 models are offered with a powerful and responsive 3.3L Inline-6 Turbocharged engine, combined with a 48V mild hybrid system.
This combination delivers an output of 284 hp and 450 Nm of torque in the CX-60, as well as a peak output of 345 hp and an impressive 500 Nm of torque in the CX-90. Furthermore, the fuel efficiency of the CX-60 is 15.4 km/L while that of the CX-90 is 14.3 km/L, which in itself is best-in-class. These key specifications distinguish the two models within the automotive landscape in terms of power and efficiency.
The all-new state-of-the-art showroom serves as a true reflection of the global brand identity of Mazda, a brand renowned for its sophisticated design and exhilarating performance. The showroom showcases an impressive line-up of the brand’s luxury vehicles with its spacious and minimalistic design. It further exemplifies Galadari Automobiles’ unwavering commitment to providing customers with a seamless and exceptional automotive experience.
Mohammed Abdullatif Ibrahim Galadari, Co-Chairman and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers commented, “Galadari Automobiles Co. has played a pivotal role in the success of Galadari Brothers Group, holding a prominent position in the UAE’s automotive industry. With more than five decades of partnership with Mazda, the company has remained committed to consistently making the customer’s experience of owning a car as exciting, enjoyable, and value-added as possible. At Galadari Brothers, we seek to make a substantial contribution to the UAE’s vision and developmental journey. Our overarching objective is to become a key driving force in the country’s technological, economic, sustainable progress, in line with our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence.”
He added: “The inauguration of our all-new Mazda showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road symbolises our unrelenting commitment to excellence in the automotive industry. We are further pleased to launch the first-ever Mazda CX-60 and CX-90, which are the epitome of innovation, performance and style. Beyond presenting a fine selection of Mazda’s revolutionary new models, we have completely redesigned the showroom with state-of-the-art facilities, to enrich customer experiences. We look forward to working together with Mazda Corporation, to continue influencing the automotive industry in the years to come.”
The UAE’s top-notch infrastructure and convenient roads offer an ideal environment for car owners to enjoy the vehicles’ luxe features, leading to rising demand for comfort and opulent features among the population, coupled with a preference for upscale and luxury products. Galadari Automobiles Co. has strategically positioned itself at the forefront of innovation to effectively meet the demands of the UAE automotive market.
Axel Dreyer, Chief Executive Officer at Galadari Automotive Group Co. Ltd. stated, “The exclusive launch of the first-ever Mazda CX-60 and CX-90 in UAE, together with the opening of our all-new showroom, exemplifies our commitment to delivering the best possible services and models to the country. We look forward to providing customers with an exceptional driving experience, and setting new standards in the premium vehicle segment, solidifying our position in the automotive industry.”
The first-ever Mazda CX-60, positioned as a Sports Utility Vehicle, is a blend of luxury and elegance, with a capacity of 5 passengers, featuring advanced face recognition technology that identifies the owner/driver of the vehicle and customises the car according to their tastes and preferences. It further entails numerous cutting-edge technologies, which are carefully designed to safeguard drivers and passengers.
Furthermore, the first-ever Mazda CX-90 is a powerful three-row family luxury car that demonstrates a seamless blend of innovation and high-quality craftsmanship. Every single detail of the CX-90 model has been designed in unison, starting with the driver’s seat to the other parts of the vehicle. The model has been engineered to provide customers with the most immersive, performance-focused driving ever created in a three-row Mazda SUV, setting forth a front-engine, rear-biased, all-wheel-drive experience. In the UAE, the CX-90 is available in both 6-seater and 8-seater versions.
Cars
The Elite Cars Launches Zenvo Aurora in the Region
The Elite Cars, the authorized distributor of Danish-brand Zenvo Automotive across the MENA region, launched the Zenvo Aurora on February 21, 2024. Inspired by the majestic Aurora Borealis, the newest model comes in two distinct and purposeful derivatives, the Agil and Tur, and will be limited to just 50 pieces of each model. Notably, nearly 50% of the highly-anticipated models have already been booked for pre-production.
Mahmoud Imran, Sales and Operations Manager at The Elite Cars and Chairman of the Board and Chief Commercial Officer of Zenvo, Jens Sverdrup, introduced the eagerly awaited hypercar. The grand reveal was orchestrated by a synchronised light performance that emulated the graceful and impactful movements of the Aurora Borealis. Renowned for crafting artisan hypercars, Zenvo stands out with the Aurora as its lightest and most innovative model to date, starting at Euros 2.590 million (approximately AED 11-12 million). It features the most powerful V12 engine ever fitted to a road car. At the heart, a 6.6-litre quad-turbocharged V12 engine paired with lightweight electric motors produces 1850 hp for the Tur and 1450 hp for the Agil.
Designed by in-house chief designer, Christian Brandt, both derivatives bring Danish artistry and ingenuity to the hypercar market for the first time, inspired by the famous ‘form follows function’ design language. Utilising Formula 1 technologies and processes, the Aurora is designed with driving pleasure in mind, achieving the 0-100km/h sprint in as little as 2.3 seconds, and to a top speed of 450 km/h. With both two- and four-wheel-drive drivetrains, it can travel up to 35 km on pure electric power.
Both models feature a lightweight chassis design, cleanly channelling the airflow through the structure to aid downforce and stability. The aerodynamically aggressive Aurora Agil features a stripped-out cabin and rear-wheel drive system as standard, tipping the scales at 1,300kg, with a clear focus on track driving. The more classically styled Aurora Tur offers elevated luxury and is a permanent four-wheel-drive, with two additional electric motors on the front wheels providing 200 bph each, enhancing speed and stability for road driving.
“We are filled with immense pride as we officially unveil the limited-edition Zenvo Aurora in the UAE as the authorised distributor for the brand across the region. This partnership between The Elite Cars and Zenvo is a natural synergy, as we both share a deep passion for automotive excellence, a commitment to exceeding expectations and a dedication to providing clientele with the greatest in luxury and performance,” said Tamer Abu Khalaf, Co-Founder at The Elite Cars. “With the UAE as a global hub of luxury, the Zenvo Aurora represents the pinnacle of artisanal craftsmanship for automotive enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, offering an unparalleled ownership experience.”
“We are thrilled to be unveiling the Zenvo Aurora for the first time in the UAE market with our partners The Elite Cars,” explains the Chairman of the Board and Chief Commercial Officer of Zenvo, Jens Sverdrup. “The new model is best described as an equilibrium of extremes. We just wanted to build an uncompromised driver’s car, which delivered on every level, but without any one aspect negatively impacting another. The outcome has given us two models, which complement each other, deliver true driving pleasure and, almost as a byproduct, offer incredible performance.”
Zenvo Aurora will be hand-built at the Zenvo headquarters in Præstø, Denmark, with first deliveries expected in 2026.
Cars
HONOR Says its Eye-Tracking Features Can Move a Car
HONOR has introduced an AI-powered eye-tracking feature that can move a car without a driver inside. This experiment, demonstrated by an automotive engineer, uses the eye-tracking feature of the HONOR Magic6 Pro to control a car based on the user’s eye movement.
A video by Autocar, available on YouTube, showcases this innovative technology. The HONOR Magic6 Pro is equipped with four commands that can be activated by eye gaze, allowing the car to start the engine, turn it off, and move forward or backwards. After focusing on a specific button for 2-3 seconds, the corresponding command is activated, and the car responds accordingly.
HONOR says that this demonstration is a testament to the company’s belief that AI can transform the way humans interact with devices in the future. HONOR has announced that its MWC Launch Event will be on February 25th. HONOR will also host an AI Panel with industry partners such as Qualcomm to unveil more discoveries about the future of AI. This event will take place on February 26th at 17:00 (CET) at MWC 2024. Find out more at this link: https://www.hihonor.com/ae-en/events/honor-mwc/