Top 5 car stories & videos on Motoring ME in 2014
These are the top 5 most viewed videos, reviews and stories we did in 2014 on Motoring Middle East
By Shahzad Sheikh
Welcome to the now traditional look back at what have been the biggest stories we’ve done this year. These are the Top 5 car stories in each category based on traffic figures for content published in 2014.
Reviews
The fact that it’s not actually a new model but just a model year update, and yet it’s still the most read review we’ve done this year, says more about the high esteem and affection for this Middle East icon than anything else.
http://motoringme.com/reviews/2014-nissan-patrol-review/
An extraordinary vehicle that I loved driving all over the UAE in, and I do mean ‘over’ – it could go just about anywhere.
http://motoringme.com/reviews/2014-jeep-wrangler-sahara-moparized-review/
I loved doing the press launch for this vehicle because a) it’s quite good, and b) I got to drive through absolutely beautiful Salalah in Oman at just the right time of year.
http://motoringme.com/reviews/2015-nissan-x-trail-review/
The hottest Golf around and one of the best five doors to take to the track – as I discovered at the local launch of the hot new VW.
http://motoringme.com/reviews/2014-volkswagen-golf-r-tested-track/
This car totally blew me away and led me to write one of the most enthusiastic reviews I’d penned for a long time, despite the fact that I only drove the car for about 15 minutes! It really is THAT good!
http://motoringme.com/reviews/2014-alfa-romeo-4c-first-drive/
Features
1. 13 Fun Facts about the Need for Speed Movie
The Aaron Paul and Ford Mustang GT500 starrer was one heck of a wild ride, but we were more interested in the trivia, like ‘was that really a McLaren p1’ – as clearly were you!
http://motoringme.com/features/13-fun-facts-need-speed-movie/
2. Heaven is a place called Tomini Classics
It certainly is – at least for classic car lovers like you and us. Some of the most beautiful and valuable classics in the world live right here in Dubai, and we were the first to bring you exclusive coverage of the collection.
http://motoringme.com/features/heaven-place-called-tomini-classics/
We figured the academy awards had it all wrong, when it comes to movies, it’s not about the stars, it’s about the cars – so we named this year’s true winners.
http://motoringme.com/features/the-car-oscars-2014/
4. Mini Paceman goes Camel Racing
We like getting weird and wacky – and it doesn’t get much weirder than this. We put a Mini right in the middle of a race of goliaths that takes place alongside the camel races.
http://motoringme.com/features/mini-paceman-goes-camel-racing/
5. Emirates Classic Car Festival 2014
Yet again our readers confirm that they do enjoy reading about and seeing classic cars, so they understandably enjoyed out coverage of Dubai’s annual classic car show.
http://motoringme.com/features/emirates-classic-car-festival-2014/
Stories
1. 2014 Detroit Auto Show Roundup
We do try to bring you the most up-to-date coverage from the biggest motor shows – even when we’re not actually there.
http://motoringme.com/2014-detroit-auto-show/
At MME we’re often able to spot the story that’s most relevant to you before anyone else, and this one was amongst the first local stories to break the news of a Ford Raptor rival being prepared by Silverado specialists.
http://motoringme.com/2014-chevrolet-silverado-reaper/
We’d like to cover more motorbikes on MME, but unfortunately neither Imthishan nor myself can actually ride one. Even for this story we had to enlist the help of a mystery rider with a very suspect name!
http://motoringme.com/2014-ktm-1290-super-duke-r-review/
4. Modified cars garages to be regulated in 2015
This is big news for owners of modified cars and the garages that do the work. Strict new legislation mooted for next year could have far-reaching consequences for the custom car scene. You heard it here first!
http://motoringme.com/modified-cars-garages-regulated-2015/
5. UAE car events 2014-2015 Calendar
After a dead summer, suddenly there’s an avalanche of events designed to appeal to the car enthusiasts – that’s us as well as you! It’s hard to keep abreast of everything, but we try to bring you news of all the events we can.
http://motoringme.com/uae-car-events-2014-2015-season/
YouTube Videos
MME also has a thriving YouTube channel that’s clocking up close to 300,000 views, and which we’re constantly feeding with content like car video walkarounds and in-car discussions – check it out at YouTube/MotoringMiddleEast.
1. 2015 Nissan X-Trail
Viewers are loving this quick walkaround of the all-new X-Trail, in fact it’s our most popular video of all with around 55k views at this time.
2. New 2015 Jeep Renegade
There’s clearly a lot of interest in this all-new baby Jeep that lands here next year. Its intriguing design has certainly caught your attention so this walkthrough of the styling has been a hit.
3. 2014 Porsche Macan S
The popularity of this video surprises us a little bit, as we’re still not sure why you’d have a Macan over the excellent Cayenne. Maybe you aren’t either, which is why you’re watching this.
4. Sheikh Hamdan’s Mini G63
A snippet of a remarkable custom job building a mini version of the one SUV that gets Dubai’s royal seal of approval – the Mercedes G-Wagen.
5. 2014 Porsche Cayman GTS
This is not only our fifth highest viewed video of the year, but is also the most commented-on video as some viewers clearly get quite riled at Imthishan’s rather contrary opinion of the not-so-ultimate Cayman GTS.
Top 21 Stories of 2013 on Motoring Middle East
Top 10 Stories of 2012 on Motoring Middle East
What were your favourite stories on MME in 2014? Tell us below in the comments sections!
