Daewoo Nexia II

Here is a 2008 Daewoo Nexia II spotted some time last year.

The 2008 Daewoo Nexia II is the facelifted version of the car that started its life as the Daewoo LeMans (sold as Pontiac LeMans in the U.S.) which maybe was the first car that Daewoo was able to sell internationally -- all over the word in fact.

The Daewoo LeMans was made in Korea until about 1997 but crucially in 1996 its production began at Uzbekistan's Uz-Daewoo and continues to this day in this, second, generation as pictured.

Except maybe the name Nexia has now migrated to Uz-Daewoo's new brand the Ravon, the Daewoo Nexia was finally terminated relatively recently and replaced with the Daewoo Gentra (aka the face-lifted Chevrolet Lacetti). 

Although it doesn't get much love elsewhere, it is an important and well-liked car here in Russia and very successful in terms of sales, especially in its first generation, a car without which any catalog of the car scene here would be incomplete. 

Maybe not a car without its own faults but those are well known and it is also well known how to deal with them, in any case cheap to maintain and fix.

And here are some Daewoo Nexia II press-kit photos.

Luxgen7 MPV

Another first-time spot today.

A Luxgen7 MPV (Luxgen M7)... probably pre-2014 facelift.

The Luxgen7 MPV is a luxury MPV made by Taiwan's Luxgen, and the name itself is a combination of Luxury and Genius.

Derived from the Renault Espace (which can't be a bad thing), apparently it has many advanced features, including a voice controlled LUXGEN Think+ system combining the on-board Windows CE computer with the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control system and providing mobile internet connection, GPS navigation, along with travel, shop, and traffic information. 

Recent versions may also have a night vision rear view camera as well as side view and eagle view systems.

Emblem.

Land Rover Discovery 4

Here is a Land Rover Discovery 4 spotted today.

And not just any Land Rover Discovery 4 but one that is wearing a very distinct livery (aka vinyl wrap).

I think it is paying homage to this 2012 Land Rover Disco 4 in pictures and some info.

UAZ Announces Re-Start of UAZ Hunter Production

Another bit of automotive news in Russia from last week.

The UAZ factory announced on February 10, 2016 that it was re-starting the production of the UAZ Hunter offroader based on the legendary UAZ-469 (announcement in Russian).

The reason given for the re-start of production (after it was ended a couple of years ago, I think) is that there is still much demand for the vehicle.

The UAZ Hunter is (will be) available in three models, including two special series - Trophy and Victory Series.

Classic

Hunter Trophy

And Hunter Victory Series

The UAZ-469 was the first car to reach the top of the Elbrus Mountain.

Photo credit: UAZ

Datsun mi-Do Special "International" Edition

Last week's news today.

On February 9, 2016, Datsun announced in Russia a special limited International edition of the Datsun mi-Do hatchback (here is the announcement in Russian on their Russia website). "International" here means the name of the edition, not that it will be available internationally.

The edition is limited to 400 units.

The differences include a rear roof spoiler, front bumper covers, a front deflector, International kickplates and an International emblem on rear.  

The Datsun mi-Do is a rebadged version of the last-gen Lada Kalina.

I think Lada Granta- and Lada Kalina-based Datsuns are gaining in popularity here in Russia.

Picture credit: Datsun

VW Phaeton

That's a VW Phaeton on the right in front.

I can't say which particular model (or refresh) this one is but there has been only one generation of the vehicle so far but two refreshes, I think.

Production is to end this year 2016?

Could even be the 2015 VW Phaeton... which is apparently available in Russia... at least the website is up (in Russian).

Above picture is a VW press photo available to download on website.

Black and white

Lada Vesta

First Lada Vesta spotted by me in real life in a not too fashionable part of town (if not to say outright depressed) where I live.

It looks okay in real life.

New fascia and a new emblem too.

Bentley Continental GT

Here is a First-Generation (2003-10) Bentley Continental GT coupe spotted somewhere in Moscow recently.

I think, it's a Speed, that is a 2007 Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Inside the growing Toronto Carparazzi trend: Like paparazzi but for cars

As you know I not only do occasional car spotting and a bit of car research but also aggregate stuff about car spotting, and so here is another article on the subject - car spotting in Canada.

Inside the growing Toronto Carparazzi trend: Like paparazzi but for cars

The Globe and Mail

'It's like bird watching, but with cars. A car revving is like a mating call'

My Cars in Gran Turismo: GT5 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR

From my Gran Turismo (game) blog.

My Cars in Gran Turismo: GT5 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR:

Check out the fog lamps on this thing -- the Mitsu Evo IV. Are they the biggest ever?

...

Here is a 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR seen here in Steel Silver Metallic.

In 1996 the base Lancer car had a major redesign and so had the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV.

Pictured here is the GSR model, a seriously powerful road car. There was also the RS model which was a competition car.

 The highlight (literally) of the EVO IV was its two huge round fog lamps.

Now that's some big fog lamp!