Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
SOMETIMES you can’t help playing the fool. It just comes naturally.
Take the time I was loading the boot of my car with my clubs for a very important round of golf with some key business contacts.
Chaps, you know what I’m getting at. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
In the rush to get going I unfortunately slammed down the boot before realising that I had placed my car key inside. And, of course, the car was locked.
This sad story does not get any better.
Now I’m stuck at home, can’t get to the Royal Golf Club or reach work because, as it’s a company car, the spare key is kept in a cupboard at head office.
Using my carefully crafted negotiating skills I had to convince someone to rescue me, typically I couldn’t jump in the good lady wife Kathryn’s car and speed into Manama to pick up the spare key because she was out on the monthly shopping spree at one of shopping-trolley-Susan’s hypermarkets, so I rang the office.
Jaffar, our efficient and friendly transport manager, was on one of his rare breaks and I was put through to the company GM. Now, he’s not a man normally known for his warm-spirited generosity and doesn’t take fools lightly.
I simply had to admit to being a plonker and he jumped in the car with my spare key in his hand.
Unfortunately, even to this day, he remembers the episode.
If only I could turn back time, or better still, fast forward to 2012.
For, as soon as I picked up the latest model of my entry level Dodge Charger from Ahmed Zayani & Sons my showroom friend Sangeeth excitably exclaimed that I should watch this trick.
He opened the boot, put the car remote inside, closed the lid and seconds later it popped open. It will not stay locked with the gadget inside. Problem solved.
Very clever, Sangeeth Ö just four years too late!
Not only does the 2012 Dodge Charger boast keyless entry and a push button to make its mighty engine roar, it looks a lot muscular too.
It has fabulous looking curves and scoops on the bonnet and its back is lit up by 164 LEDs so there is no excuse for the car behind to bump into you at the traffic lights.
The true dual exhaust is also another indicator that this car not only looks the business but means it too.
The 2012 version is the first US sport sedan to feature an eight-speed automatic transmission.
It was time to check under the bonnet. This state-of-the-art ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is available on Dodge Charger models equipped with the award-winning 3.6-litre PentaStar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower.
And, wow, does it move.
It’s a great family car too because of its size but it’s really a man’s motor with the added bonus of all the latest technological tricks – bluetooth for the mobile phone, easy steering wheel operations for the radio alongside great visibility and a solid ride that feels safe and secure.
I love my Charger but I love this one more.
The 2012 Dodge Charger SE, R/T, R/T plus and the SRT8 are on display now at the Ahmed Zayani & Sons showroom in Zinj... and customers can drive off with a special promotional offer and gift promising to make a ‘sweet deal, even sweeter’.
With an excellent selection of exciting new colours and option packages to choose from, the dealership aims to ensure there is a model to fit all tastes and wallets with prices starting at BD10,999.
"Besides this, a gift hamper filled with collectibles is presented when you take delivery of your new Charger," a spokesman said. "Customers who purchase during this special promotional period will receive free insurance, registration, under-seal, window tints and five-years extended manufacturer warranty. New-car deals do not get better than this!"
