Thomas the Troopy

A Stunning Land Cruiser BJ45 Build

The Toyota Land Cruiser needs no introduction… really. Since 1951, over ten million have been sold worldwide. Sri Lanka has enjoyed her fair share of Land Cruisers as well. Thanks to the vehicular appetites of our politicians and the well-heeled, you see plenty of 200-series examples on the roads ...

Published on 11 Mar 2024

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

First Drive

Electric vehicles are slowly trickling into our car-starved shores, due to a permit system. We’ve seen quite a few cars on social media, and here, we were fortunate to get our hands on the very first Hyundai Ioniq 5 to land in Sri Lanka. Imported by the agents Abans Auto, the kind folks there dese...

Published on 27 Dec 2023

Mahindra KUV100 D75 AMT

Mahindra’s locally-assembled compact gains a diesel engine and autobox

Over three years ago, we sampled the Mahindra KUV100, the first locally assembled vehicle to come out of Ideal Motors’ brand-spanking-new assembly facility in Mathugama, Kalutara District. The company had impressive plans for its facility, at least they did until the economic crisis hit everyone l...

Published on 26 Sep 2023

Daihatsu Copen & Honda S660 Club Sri Lanka Drive

These open-topped two-seat Kei cars enjoy an ardent following in Sri Lanka

The rain was pouring with verve on the morning of Sunday of 11th June, but that didn’t stop 13 dedicated aficionados of the Daihatsu Copen & Honda S660 Club Sri Lanka from gathering at Galle Face for a drive to the Beach Park at Port City. One by one, these pint-sized two-seaters showed up, their ...

Published on 03 Aug 2023

1982 Renault Fuego TL

A Single Family Car That’s Jumped Through Hoops to get here

The famed automotive journalist L. J. K. Setright wrote of the Fuego, “…is blessed with a body which is not only roomy and aerodynamically efficient, but is also beautiful…” Introduced in 1980, this three-door French sports hatchback did indeed turn heads with its distinctive style and caugh...

Published on 02 Aug 2023

Kelum WJ Projects Drive to Negombo

Five owners with one common factor drive up for some car talk

An automotive engineer by profession, Kelum Wijayawardhana is currently Director of Engineering and Operations at Modicon Automotive, a component manufacturer for local automotive assembly operations. A mechanical engineer by profession, Kelum has been captivated by cars ever since he can remember. ...

Published on 31 Jul 2023

BYD e6 Second Generation

Test Driving the Family Size EV

Sri Lanka is starved of new cars, thanks to an import ban since 2020. We see random vehicles trickle in, primarily purchased for embassies, but the rest of the country’s automotive scene is in a veritable time-freeze from 2020. One of those rare gems that managed to come into the country after tha...

Published on 03 Jul 2023

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