Traditional, ICE SUV from BAIC

I was “relieved” to be behind the wheel of a traditional, internal combustion-engined vehicle after many a foray with EV’s. Plus, the X55 has received a superb stamp of approval from the general public… the friendly and helpful people of David Pieris Automobiles tells me that a few hundred u...

Published on 09 Dec 2025

The Pocket-Rocket City Car

When you first look at the Lumin, it reminds you of a car-character from the movie “Cars”. It has a quirky, toy-like face, and it indeed is toy-sized, in a world of oversized SUVs and macho pick-up trucks. Built as a “City Car”, the full electric Lumin is full of character… when you walk u...

Published on 09 Dec 2025

Seven Seat SUV with a Petrol Powertrain

Electric vehicles are plentiful nowadays, but there’s also the good old internal combustion brigade vying for your attention and cheque book. And yes, some of these machines are from China. In fact, since the import ban was lifted, the Chinese auto floodgates have opened with gusto, giving us a ta...

Published on 04 Dec 2025

It’s a Pickup Truck, it’s Chinese, and it’s from a surprisingly Big Name!

In April 2019, I spent a few days at the facilities of SAIC – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, in, well, the greater Shanghai area. There, I drove ten vehicles from three SAIC brands – MG, Roewe and Maxus, at their proving grounds which is a joint venture with General Motors. While we a...

Published on 10 Nov 2025

Transformer Truck Slash SUV

What on earth is this thing? If you’re looking at our photos, you’re probably scratching your head too. When Teranka Carim, CEO of Deepal Sri Lanka told me about an SUV that could convert into a pickup truck… I couldn’t believe my ears. Then he sent me some pictures, and a clearer idea began...

Published on 03 Oct 2025

On Road and Off Road with the 4WD Variant

You might recall that we had a short preview of the Riddara RD6 back in the April 2025 issue of Motor… That special test vehicle was a 200-kilowatt, rear-wheel drive variant that surprised us with its nippiness, ride comfort and practicality. Now, Evolution Auto, the authorized distributor of Ridd...

Published on 30 Aug 2025

Magnetic or Igniting?

The official press release for the Nissan Magnite dated October 21st, 2020 says that the word Magnite is a combination of Magnetic and Ignite. Competing in the crowded sub-4 metre subcompact crossover segment in India, the Magnite has landed to take on the Sri Lankan market. Yes, this vehicle hails ...

Published on 26 Aug 2025

Human psychology is a curious thing. Step into a car that smells like a premium European model, feels as solidly built as one, and drives with the same confidence, and suddenly, your subconscious takes charge. Without thinking, your left hand instinctively reaches for the adjacent stalk to indicate ...

Published on 27 Jul 2025

India’s take on the Sportback SUV

When I first saw photos of the Tata Curvv on social media, I was intrigued. What on Earth is this thing? Looks like the Indians are doubling down with taking on the world, jumping on the sportback SUV bandwagon that’s previously been the near-exclusive preserve of German luxury automakers. Then, D...

Published on 05 Jul 2025

Five long years. I reckon not many people imagined the import ban on vehicles that came into place just as Covid evolved into a global pandemic would last half the decade. That also brings to mind how long it's been since Covid became a thing and just how fast we're all getting older. The ban was of...

Published on 03 Jul 2025