Background
DCMW’s present-day diversity wasn’t always the case. While the company in its early days dabbled in all manner of odd side projects, special purpose bespoke vehicles, and miscellaneous one-offs, its bread and butter were two four-door model series: the larger and more comfort-oriented Marqaba, and the smaller, more athletic Al-Sayaadim. The latter, at times more properly considered a four-door coupe, eventually evolved into what we nowadays call a Sports Sedan.
1938 Al-Sayaadim
The c.1968-1980 series began as a conventional FR layout, though later models were fitted with DCMW’s then-new all-wheel-drive system featuring a boxer engine mounted just behind the front axle, the crankcase integrated with the front differential housing.
1970
The c.1980-1995 was the first generation specifically designed around this system, which effectively made it an FM4 layout. Better known by its embargo-bypassing rebadge, the Norðwagen Valkyrja, this generation was lauded for its formidable athletic prowess, with motorsports victories to back that up, but was often considered too cramped and compromised to be a luxury car.
1985 (as Nordwagen)
Redesigned from the ground up in 1995, the next generation intended to restore luxury credentials while losing nothing in the way of performance. A minor facelift in 2000 brought a handful of new technologies to the mix.
Equipped with a meaty yet velvet-smooth 387hp turbo flat-six, helical AWD, six forward gear pairs and a clutch pedal, the Al-Sayaadim Superiority Six is meant to be driven and enjoyed. Yet with a proper and amply-sized luxury interior, active comfort suspension, and impeccable mechanical refinement, it doesn’t neglect the passengers, either. Watch them fall asleep, then wonder how you got there so early.
