2022 Proton Saga
We drive the first locally assembled pre-production example in Sri Lanka
On 9th July 1985, the first Proton Saga entered the Malaysian car market. The brainchild of Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, then-Minister of Trade and Industry, he envisioned a national automaker for Malaysia, and Proton was born. The Saga was its first product, based on the 1983 Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore, and ...
Published on 02 Dec 2022
2018 Audi A5 Coupe
With Extra Zest Added
Audi’s been banging out the A5 since 2007, as part of their range-plugging drive. In fact, as of 2022, you can buy an Audi from A1 to A8, save for A2, but I’m sure they will plug that in time to come. The A5 was introduced as a compact executive car, for those who wanted a more stylish A4, as we...
Published on 06 Nov 2022
1999 Peugeot 406 Coupe
One of four in Sri Lanka
At first glance, you might wonder what’s so special about a 406 Coupe. Yes, Peugeot made a 406 sedan and estate too and yes, we have a fair bit of sedans running around in Sri Lanka. So it seems natural that there’d be a coupe variant of this European mid-sizer. Here’s what you need to know ab...
Published on 02 Nov 2022
Revived after 18 years!
The Alfa 156 that went into hibernation with 1,800 kms on the clock
The Alfa 156 was introduced at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155. The 156 received a positive reception and in the following year went on to win the 1998 European Car of the Year award. The 156 also marked a turning point in the fortunes of Alfa Romeo; having ma...
Published on 19 Sep 2022
MR2 that eats Porsches for breakfast!
Shirendra's heavily-modified 1985 Toyota MR2 Black Limited
The Toyota MR2 has been on Shirendra Lawrence’s bucket list ever since he saw the model brand-new in UK while pursuing his higher studies. At the time, this two-seat mid-engined Japanese thing represented a futuristic yet attainable option in the UK. However, as a student struggling on a budget, a...
Published on 14 Sep 2022
History of Alfa Romeo
Car Brands A - Z
Alfa Romeo is manufactured by the Italian company Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. which is a subsidiary of the recently formed Stellantis conglomerate. The company was founded on 24 June 1910, in Milan, Italy. "Alfa" is an acronym of its founding name, "Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili." "Anonim...
Published on 23 Aug 2022
2000 Mitsubishi Verada
Australian Comfort Cruiser Review
If you were a pre-teen kid around the turn of the millennium, like me, you would have noticed quite a bit of Mitsubishi advertising in Sri Lanka, courtesy United Motors. Leaf through the newspapers and ads for the New Lancer (CK-series at the time) popped up. Turn on the TV at prime-time and you cou...
Published on 20 Aug 2022
1970 Ford Cortina 1600GT
A survivor that's still a dependable daily
Cars produced by Ford of Britain and Ford of America were like chalk and cheese – and still remain somewhat to this day. Whilst North American Fords tend to be larger, with beefier engines and less of a focus on fuel economy, those in Britain and Europe would be smaller, to fit appropriately on th...
Published on 07 Aug 2022
1976 Toyota Publica
Ride of Doctors
When Toyota introduced the Publica in 1960, I’m sure the Japanese automaker never thought that it would become a future classic, as well as restomod platform. The Publica was the Japanese giant’s smallest car at the time, and was made as a sedan, station wagon, coupe, convertible, and pickup, al...
Published on 12 Jul 2022
1956 Jaguar Mark VII M
Big Old Cat Comes to Life
Jaguar’s long line-up of full-size British luxury sedans saw the Mark VII serve between 1950 and 1956 as the brand’s pinnacle four-door offering. Interestingly, Bentley already had a Mark VI model on the market, so Jaguar simply skipped from Mark V to Mark VII, and coming in at a smidge under 5 ...
Published on 25 Apr 2022