B-10 | Friday, November 17, 2017 AUTO www.WeeklyVoice.com Taking Some Kei Cars Out For A Spin! Continued from page 9 and even fewer in good working 1.3L, inline-four cylinder mo- ine, and its glasshouse permits order, the AZ-1 is a rare gem. The tor. But, the car I drove had the lots of light, and not many blind car featured here is currently list- proper ‘kei’ car spec, meaning it spots. ed for sale at $19,900. had a turbocharged 659 cc, four- All AZ-1’s came with a turbo- If you’re looking for something cylinder motor that offered up 64 charged, 657 cc, three-cylinder a little bit bigger, a bit newer, and hp and 81 lb-ft of torque. Power motor that produces 64 hp and 63 would like to drop the top on a is sent to the front wheels via a 2002 example that I tested, is cur- If you have any further ques- lb-ft of torque. This mid-engined nice day, than perhaps the Dai- ive-speed manual gearbox. rently on sale for $10,300. tions regarding ‘kei’ cars or just coupe sent power to just the rear hatsu Copen would be more suit- Despite its power igures, and These ‘kei’ cars might not have right-hand drive cars in gen- wheels, via a ive-speed manual able for you. sitting at roughly 810 kg – so a been built for the Canadian mar- eral, look up www.bonsairides. gearbox. Launched in 2002, the Copen bit heavier than the Autozam – ket, but the amount of style and com and talk to Pollock, he will There is no point in publish- was the irst ‘kei’ car to be offeredthe Copen was a real surprise out fun they offer, I am glad they are be able to guide you towards a ing performance igures for this with a folding hard-top roof. Yes, on the road. It felt quick and fast, importable. possible ‘kei’ car future for you! car, because it is not fast; but it this puny car has the same style and the noise from its turbocharg- is more than capable of keeping of roof mechanism that you’ll ers blow-off valve, and its sporty up with trafic, and its diminutive ind on a Mercedes-Benz SL65exhaust, really planted a smile on size, low weight (curb weight of AMG – minus a few cylinders, my face. 720 kg) and short wheelbase does and horses! While its chassis is not nearly make it a good handling car. Standing at 11.1 ft long, 4.8 ft as rigid as most modern convert- The car I drove –a 1992 ex- wide, 4.0 ft tall, the Copen ap- ibles, I was very shocked as to ample– did seem to require a new pears a bit more normal sized how well it handled – this car is clutch, but remember, this is an when compared to the AZ-1, but great fun on twisty roads. old car, so it won’t be like buying it is still a very small car – a fact I Thanks to a much more mod- a brand new car. truly realized when I was driving ern interior that does feature an All in all, the AZ-1 is a charm- next to a BMW X6. adjustable steering wheel, the ing vehicle, that addresses most Unlike most ‘kei’ class vehi- Copen is far more liveable than of your sports car needs. With cles, the Copen was sold in some the AZ-1. Since it is also nowhere less than 5,000 units ever pro- foreign markets, and it was even near as rare, Copens are much duced (between 1992 to 1995), offered with a non-kei engine, a more affordable to buy – this Borgward Launches BX7, BX5 SUVs In Gulf States DUBAI/STUTTGART- - Ger- Anliker. Following months of With a length of 4.71 meters the CarPlay and Android Auto. The BX5 is 4.49 meters long man-based automotive brand climate testing and the establish- wide-body BX7 offers a lot of Equipped with a 2.0-liter direct and as a wide-body offers ample Borgward oficially launchedment of an effective sales orga- space. Depending on customers’ injection turbo engine (224 hp / roominess for a compact SUV. its operations in the Gulf states nization in the region, Borgward preferred coniguration, it can be 300 NM torque) and a 6-speed Like the BX7, it is also equipped on Wednesday. Speaking at the has now introduced the Middle ordered as a 5-or 7-seat version. automatic transmission, the BX7 with a very large panoramic sun- Dubai Motor Show 2017, Tom East version of its BX5 and BX7 The interior is roomy and offers offers cultivated dynamic driv- roof and the B-Link infotainment Anliker, Senior Vice President SUV models to Gulf markets. the ine and elegant styling to ing. To enhance driving pleasure, system. A fastback shape and Global Marketing, Sales and The GCC states are promis- be expected from an auto brand both the BX7 and the compact sporty exterior styling matches Services at Borgward Group ing markets for Borgward, due with German engineering and de- size BX5 SUV feature Borg- the sporty-elegant interior. AG, expressed his conidence toin continuously strong customer sign. Among the highlights of the ward’s intelligent all-wheel-drive Both vehicles speak Borg- the success of the market entry. demand for compact and mid- BX7 are its very large panoramic system (iAWD). In the BX5, the ward’s distinctive design lan- “Borgward has a very attractive size SUVs. The Borgward BX7 sunroof and B-Link, Borgward’s system provides for extra agility guage, which is characterized by offering and GCC customers will was developed for customers reined infotainment and con- in combination with the vehicle’s elegant wing-line shapes, an oc- beneit from a greater choice of who are looking for an elegant nectivity system that runs Borg- 1.8-liter direct injection turbo en- tagonal grille and diamonds as a top vehicles in their market,” said and sophisticated mid-size SUV. ward’s own mobility app, Apple gine (188 hp / 280 NM torque). central theme. - CNW BLACK FRIDAY SALE COMES EARLY 3 DAYS ONLY! 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