Car Reviews in GCC – Gulf Insider’s Automotive Insights

6 months ago

VW Aims To Cut Development Costs In Half With New “Made In China” Car

Volkswagen says it can build an electric car entirely in China at roughly half the cost of producing one in Germany, helped by quicker development, lower labor expenses, easier battery sourcing and a more efficient supply chain. After heavy investment in its new R&D base in Hefei, which includes more than 100 labs for software, hardware and powertrain testing, the company says it can now validate software, hardware and full vehicles at the same time. According to VW’s China technology chief Thomas Ulbrich, the facility gives engineering teams “an entirely new level of integration,” allowing them to shorten decision cycles and speed up innovation. VW says the development timeline for new Chinese EVs is about 30 per cent shorter than the traditional 50-month process. FT writes that the carmaker intends to introduce around 30 EV models in China over the next five years as it tries to regain momentum in the world’s largest auto market, where competition from domestic EV makers has eroded its earlier dominance. Although the strategy began as “in China, for China,” executives say the company is now considering exporting Chinese-built models and applying Chinese-led advances to its global operations. Other European manufacturers, such as Renault, are also trying […]

1 year ago

The World’s Best-Selling Cars In 2024

In this graphic, Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu ranks the world’s best-selling cars from 2024 using data compiled by Statista. Will Tesla Retain the Crown in 2025? With Tesla sales sputtering in the early days of 2025, it’s possible that the once untouchable EV maker could start to fall down the rankings. We can see in this graphic that Toyota, the world’s biggest automaker by sales, has two models close behind the Model Y. To stay competitive, Tesla recently revealed its long-awaited Model Y refresh codenamed ‘Juniper’. With a fresh exterior design and new interior, Juniper could also help Tesla stay on pace with China’s fast-growing BYD. BYD’s Global Expansion Coming in at #9 is the BYD Song, a series of compact crossover SUVs sold in gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and pure EV configurations. The model is exported to European markets as the BYD Seal U, and in Southeast Asian and Oceania as the BYD Sealion 6. While the bulk of BYD’s sales come from its home market, China, the brand is making impressive progress in other countries. In Australia, the Sealion 6 became the country’s top-selling plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in 2024. As of March 5, 2025, BYD shares (ADR) are up 34% YTD, while Tesla shares have fallen by -31%. Despite the drop, Tesla remains the world’s most valuable […]

1 year ago

Mercedes Slides On Profit Plunge, Weak Car Guidance

Mercedes shares declined in Germany on Thursday after the struggling automaker reported a nearly one-third drop in 2024 profits, pressured by softening demand in China and sluggish electric vehicle sales. Analysts at Bernstein characterized the 2025 outlook for passenger cars as “predictably weak.” Here’s a snapshot of the 2024 fiscal year financial results. The focus is on deteriorating EBIT margin (courtesy of Bloomberg): Mercedes announced plans to slash 10% of production costs through 2027 and provided a dismal outlook for this year. It expects lower sales and guided profit margins lower than Wall Street’s expectations… 2025 Forecast: “To ensure the company’s future competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain world, we are taking steps to make the company leaner, faster and stronger,” CEO Ola Kallenius wrote in a statement. With CEO Kallenius at the helm, Mercedes has prioritized producing higher-end vehicles while shifting away from entry-level models. There was a time—many years ago—when the automaker focused on building cars for executives. However, weak demand for Maybachs and G-Wagons in China and other markets has pressured this strategy. Kallenius expects margins margins upwards of 10% by 2027. Like many others in Europe, automakers have been pressured by weakening global demand, a dismal economic environment in Germany, and Chinese competitors such as BYD. At the […]

3 years ago

Power Unlimited: The Lamborghini Urus Performante

The Lamborghini Urus Performante is an absolute game-changer in the world of supersport utility vehicles. With its introduction in 2017, this insanely powerful car has made its mark as a true all-around super sports car. The exterior design is defined by its liberal use of lightweight carbon-fibre components, providing significant weight reduction and bringing an undeniable sporty, sleek and bold presence on the road. Driving the Urus Performante is a thrill not just for its roaring sports titanium exhaust system but also for the pleasant suspension that balances power with comfort. While appearing colossal from the outside, the car is practical and user-friendly to drive. The interior showcases Alcantara and carbon fibre materials, giving it a refined, contemporary feel with a touch of exclusivity through Performante logos and contrast stitching. The interior is designed to make drivers feel like a pilot, ready to take on any challenge with ease. With top speeds reaching 306 km/h, powered by 8 cylinders and capable of going from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.3 seconds, the Urus Performante lives up to its promise of driving exhilaration and pure performance. Lamborghini Connect ensures that drivers stay connected while driving the Urus Performante, thanks to […]

3 years ago

The Fastest SUVs in the World, Ranked: 0-100 and Top Speed

The SUV market has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades. While modern SUVs have been present since the 1980s with the introduction of the Jeep Cherokee XJ, it was in the late 1990s that mainstream automakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche entered this segment. Since then, SUVs have surpassed other vehicle types to become some of the best-selling cars in the US. The popularity of SUVs stems from their ability to meet various needs. They offer ample space for most families’ requirements and possess off-road capabilities. Furthermore, as more options flood the market, they have become increasingly affordable. Traditionally, speed was not a characteristic associated with SUVs. However, advancements in automotive technology have allowed manufacturers to push boundaries and elevate performance levels in these vehicles. As a result, many incredibly fast SUV models have emerged on the market. These high-performance SUVs boast mind-boggling acceleration, precise handling, and top speeds that rival those of traditional performance cars. While we often discuss ranking the fastest cars globally today, it is equally intriguing to explore which are currently considered as some of the fastest SUVs available. 10. 2023 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Performance Alfa Romeo, once a popular automaker, had faced […]

3 years ago

Bold design meets luxury and comfort in the new HONGQI HS5

It was time to celebrate the new year with a new car on the road as we got to test drive one that’s got a lot of heads turning – the HONGQI HS5. The luxury SUV is the product of a rich automotive history dating back to the 1950s. HONGQI was in fact the first independently manufactured vehicle in China. Gulf Insider got to take the HS5 out for a spin, picking it up from Zayani Motors and making our way to the lush surroundings of Al Bander Resort in Sitra. What we loved about the SUV most was how light it was to drive. It absorbs bumps pretty well – thanks to good suspension while giving you the on-road power that you need. Five driving modes for different terrains and a host of driver assistance features are only some of the benefits that come with an HS5. The four-cylinder engine allows you to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr in less than 9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 210 km/hr while experiencing a robust 223 horsepower and 340 Nm of torque. The model comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a mileage of 13 km/litre. HONGQI has made […]

3 years ago

INFINITI Gets Ever More Luxurious

By Charlie Cooksey INFINITI is a car brand I’ve not been hugely familiar with, so this was a chance for me to both experience the new QX60 as well as learn more about the brand. Also, I had never been to Georgia before and for some time been curious to visit – it always makes a car drive more exciting when flying somewhere new. After landing at Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, I and the other motoring journalists were taken for about a two-hour drive into what seemed like the middle of nowhere. We stayed in a beautiful vineyard estate house that’s been converted into a boutique hotel. Surrounding the property were vineyards, snow-capped mountains, and generally just lots of stunning nature – it was Autumn so nature’s colours were red and radiant all around us. So, let me tell you about the QX60. It is a luxury, three row mid-size crossover SUV, sharing its platform with its ‘cousin’, the Nissan Pathfinder. Before even stepping into the latest QX60 I was impressed by the design. It doesn’t look too much like the previous model it replaces which had a more rounded and ‘bulbous’ look. The exterior designers of the new QX60 have made […]

3 years ago

The New 7 Series: BMW’s Most Luxurious and Polarising Car

By Charlie Cooksey To get to this BMW drive event required the longest journey I’ve ever made, flying from Manama, Bahrain to Los Angeles, California. Some may say I’m mad to travel so far to drive a car for a few days, but such people don’t know the importance of the BMW 7 Series, and this trip included driving BMW’s first-ever fully electric 7 Series. The 7 Series was the main event, but this trip also entailed driving the majorly facelifted X7, BMW’s flagship 3-row luxury 7-seater SUV. Also, I had the opportunity to be amongst the first in the world to see BMW’s XM. The XM is a special project. It is an SUV like nothing else on the market – a wild cocktail of super performance, ahead of its time. It has style, luxury, comfort, and an aggressive presence, packed with a 4.4L V8 under the hood. It is also a plug-in hybrid. But back to my point – it was worth the 13,500km journey. This was a beautiful, picture-perfect location that BMW selected for such an important drive event. We were stationed for 3 days in Palm Springs, a desert city located just over 2 hours east […]

4 years ago

Sheer Electric Pleasure – BMW EV’s in the Sunshine State

Gulf Insider drives BMW’s exciting new iX and i4 in Florida, USA. By Charlie Cooksey During August, I was in Florida – America’s Sunshine State, for a few wonderful weeks. While there, I had the opportunity to enjoy driving various cars stateside. First, I hired a couple of American ‘muscle cars’, a Ford Mustang followed by a Chevrolet Camaro. Both were convertibles and I loved them. Driving these iconic American cars for a couple of weeks felt somehow satisfying. But things started to get interesting when BMW North America kindly provided me with BMW’s new electric iX for a week. The iX is an SUV powered by two electric motors providing all-wheel drive. Two versions are available, the xDrive50 (516 hp – zero to 100 kph in 4 seconds), and the M60 (610 hp – zero to 100 kph in just 3.3 seconds). This is Ferrari worthy power! The iX has a spacious, luxurious, and futuristically designed interior. On the centre console, there is a large digital dashboard display controlled by a cool ‘crystal’ rotary knob. Its large panoramic sunroof features electrochromic shading – a new feature found on only a few vehicles. There’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and […]

4 years ago

Bahrain: When a luxury car is also a supercar

Gulf Insider experiences the Porsche Panamera GTS. By Charlie Cooksey Some people want to own a Porsche, but for whatever reasons may feel the brand’s 911 and 718 two-doors aren’t the most practical forms of transportation for them. Enter the Panamera, a Porsche supercar with a four-door body and an upmarket interior. You sit low in the Panamera, which gives a sports-car feel. The handling is great, just like you’d expect a Porsche to be, while it provides much additional space and comfort for even the tallest drivers and passengers. The Panamera GTS has a 473-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. “Normal” mode is best for comfortable high-speed cruising, while “Sport” makes everything firmer and favors more sporty driving. Despite its weight, the GTS can get you from zero to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds, with a 300 kmh top speed. The interior of the GTS models come fitted with black leather and Alcantara adaptive Sports seats. There are ‘GTS’ logos on the headrests, as well as decorative trim and door sill guards made of brushed aluminium. The GT sports steering wheel and roof lining are also finished in Alcantara. The centre console is littered with touch-sensitive controls, and there’s a big 12.3-inch touchscreen. Porsches have a very […]

Search Here

Recent Posts

UAE Skilled Private-Sector Workforce Grows 1.5%

UAE To Restore Umayyad Mosque In Damascus

Kuwait Cuts Government Working Hours To Six Hours During Summer

Saudi Arabia Revokes Licences Of Several Private Schools Over Safety, Regulatory Breaches

Search Here

VW Aims To Cut Development Costs In Half With New “Made In China” Car

The World’s Best-Selling Cars In 2024

Mercedes Slides On Profit Plunge, Weak Car Guidance

Power Unlimited: The Lamborghini Urus Performante

The Fastest SUVs in the World, Ranked: 0-100 and Top Speed

Bold design meets luxury and comfort in the new HONGQI HS5

INFINITI Gets Ever More Luxurious

The New 7 Series: BMW’s Most Luxurious and Polarising Car

Sheer Electric Pleasure – BMW EV’s in the Sunshine State

Bahrain: When a luxury car is also a supercar

Recent Posts

UAE Skilled Private-Sector Workforce Grows 1.5%

UAE To Restore Umayyad Mosque In Damascus

Kuwait Cuts Government Working Hours To Six Hours During Summer

Saudi Arabia Revokes Licences Of Several Private Schools Over Safety, Regulatory Breaches

UAE Commits Dh44 Billion To Mars, Asteroid And Space Economy Goals

Abu Dhabi-Developed Cryptographic AI Goes Global After Us Acquisition

Useful Links

Subscribe to our mailing list

Online Magazine