Hot new cars to watch out for in 2012
If you add up the numbers 2, 0, 1 and 2, you’ll come up with 5. The number five in certain ancient Far Eastern cultures signify change. And 2012 is perhaps the best year yet to consider changing that tired old jalopy in the driveway for something new, exciting, safer and more enjoyable to drive. And it’s fitting because in the last five years, the market has grown to new heights, but more importantly, as a sign of an ever-evolving and maturing market, traditional segments have been shrinking and are slowly being replaced by more niche-specific vehicles that cater to more specialized needs. Gone are the days where you had to choose between brands A, B and C, and their respective x, y and z models, in black, white, green and maroon.
In the small car/hatchback market, two significant new entries will be KIA’s all-new Rio, available in both sedan and hatchback, which will really give more options to new car-buyers. Representing the other H-brand is Hyundai’s new Accent hatchback, powered exclusively with a diesel engine, and a sedan variant also featuring diesel power. Hyundai has a winner here as a small car with diesel power means fast, fun and fuel-efficient motoring, and lower overall running costs. Mitsubishi, having made a huge comeback in recent years, thanks to their diesel-packed power-punch of the Strada and Montero Sport, has also unveiled a close-to-production small car, the new Mitsubishi Mirage 5-door hatchback powered by a new 3-cylinder engine with 1 to 1.2 liters of displacement. Expect it to make an appearance by the 3rd quarter of this year, a year after its unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show 2011. The revival of the Mirage moniker should also bring a bit of warmth and nostalgia to a generation that grew up riding their mum’s and dad’s small cars a generation ago. Not to be outdone, rumors are circulating that the all-new Toyota Yaris 5-door hatchback might be released soon as it’s been available in foreign markets since this year. The new Yaris features a longer wheelbase with a bigger boot to help ride comfort and increase practicality and cargo space. But another source said the Yaris will remain the same, with only a minor change for next year while foreign markets enjoy the new Yaris. Sad but a very real possibility. What is sure is that an all-new Avanza is coming out in January of 2012. That should help people in need of a budget people-mover. Honda, on the other hand, is rumored to give its baby executive-looking car, the City, a minor change/face-lift as it bravely soldiers on.
Two Libyan Air Force pilots on Monday defected to Malta in apparent protest after being asked to bomb Libyan civilians, a Maltese government source said. In a separate statement, Malta's government said two Libyan Air Force Mirage F1 single-seat planes
Meanwhile, the newspaper says that soldiers continue to guard two Libyan Air Force Mirage F1 fighters whose pilots defected on Monday. The pilots are in custody, The Times reports.. Update at 12:10 pm ET: Al-Jazeera TV correspondent Cal Perry reports