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
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