SEPTEMBER 2008 Test Drives |
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PERODUA VIVA
BACKGROUND & FIRST IMPRESSIONS
They say that ‘First Impressions’ are what count whether in context of romantic courtship or allure of cars. And so it was with this latest, replacement of the Perodua Kelisa & Kancil. In fact it was myself, a few years ago who did a Test-Drive and Report of the Kelisa. I went into raptures then about the ‘Mini’ re-born looks of the Kelisa and the surprising nippiness of that compact. Well the Kelisa in particular stormed the motoring world here. The Perodua Kelisa proved its mettle for its superb fuel efficiency and sprightly engine, creating much demand that exists to date. Well the good news is that an even better, safer, longer and wider car has been introduced by the same people in Malaysia with engine power options of 660cc, 850cc & 1000cc - all by the name of VIVA...
Read the full article in the September 2008 issue of Motor |
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ISUZU D-MAX 2500 cc Turbo – 4WD
BACKGROUND
Pick-ups associated with work & leisure were relatively unknown in Sri Lanka prior to the ‘80s. I still recall with nostalgia when I commenced my ‘planting’ career way back in 1969. The estate car of choice of Superintendents then was a ‘Traveller’ or to be specific: Morris Minor 1000cc ‘Station Wagon’. OK, some had ‘LR’s [the primitive Land Rover Series 1] as their 2nd vehicle for ‘tough-jobs’.
Read the full article in the September 2008 issue of Motor
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HYUNDAI ELENTRA
Hyundai is a company caught up in a great surge of activity and contradictions. It is the fastest growing automotive company in the world and the fourth largest in volume, yet whilst retaining both those accolades it also wants to be a leader in quality and also be the leading supplier of environmentally friendly autos in the coming years. To retain and grow in numbers whilst at the same time improve quality, is like a couple wanting to have as many offspring as quickly as possible whilst being celibate at the same time.
Read the full article in the August 2008 issue of Motor |
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Rice Dreams
The Birth of an achievable Fantasy
Ever since the minor hit movie Fast and the Furious hit the numerous local (counterfeit) DVD stores, owners and the lives of user of ordinary four door Japanese cars were never the same again. Influenced by the movie; ‘dudes’ started “ricing” up their ‘rides’. Ok the term had a slight history referring to Asian makes running on “Sake” – The Japanese Rice alco. But it really got ignited with the movie.
Read the full article in the August 2008 issue of Motor
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POWER TO THE PEOPLE
The prospect of a 150bhp family car is certainly a mouthwatering one. And this was exactly the kind of luck that came by to some of our doctors who were gifted permits by the government.
Read the full article in the July 2008 issue of Motor |
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PEUGEOT 407 HDi
It’s the lithe Peugeot 407 in (relatively) affordable turbodiesel guise. The 407 remains unchanged in looks, dynamics and trim, but the big news here is the high tech new 1.6 Turbodiesel engine it’s mated to.
Read the full article in the July 2008 issue of Motor |
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LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2
Land Rover revamps its softest SUV offering, the Freelander, with version 2. This time around, the highly successful SUV gets bigger, brawnier, brainier and makes a market shift upwards.
Read the full article in the July 2008 issue of Motor |
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MARUTI ZEN
ESTILO
It was a tough afternoon in Colombo and I had to drive over to distant Namunukula in the Province of Uva to a planter’s bungalow for a meeting and dinner. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and out on to the open roads after Avissawella was a huge relief. As I sped along in my trusted 4WD Nissan Double Cab that late afternoon, I noticed one of these dinky Marutis trailing me. Heck, I thought, I’ll give the blighter a lesson. The idea was to dust him off my rear. I hate those who tailgate, to make an understatement!
Read the full article in the June 2008 issue of Motor |
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FIAT PUNTO
Diesel is a luxury in Sri Lanka. As we know the price of diesel is significantly lower than petrol only because it is subsidized by the price of petrol. The Government has done this to (try to) keep the transport cost of essential goods low. And so in order to prevent you and me in purchasing a diesel car and burning less fuel and thus contributing to a lower fuel expense, they slap a massive excise duty that makes diesel cars uneconomical.
Read the full article in the June 2008 issue of Motor
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TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 79 SERIES
I was rather surprised when this rough, tough, it’s-never-enough kind of vehicle turned up for a test drive. It looked like one of those Chinese or Indian versions of a prehistoric Toyota pick up. It’s a slab sided single cab with a pick up back and tarpaulin for god’s sake. I was sure this was some thing put together by the Chinese or Indians for Toyota, dropping in a 1.2 litre diesel engine and packed off here to be sold at ultra cheap prices to small hardware shops and “I don’t care what I drive as long as it’s cheap and practical” types.
Read the full article in the June 2008 issue of Motor |
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