Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
If I were to sum up my visit to the Dubai International Motor Show in one word, it would be ‘eventful’.
In fact, although my editor has commissioned me to write this piece about the event, I could just as easily satisfy the word count with my trials and tribulations simply getting there.
Driving to Bahrain airport, my right rear tyre on my new car (which I’d only had a week) developed a puncture, meaning I had to spend two hours waiting for a recovery vehicle to pick it up. First flight missed.
Then, after leaving it at a local garage and walking home to catch a lift to the airport, I frantically rushed to be told I was 15 minutes too late to get the next plane. Second flight missed.
Finally, after changing my ticket and booking myself on a 2am flight, I arrived dreary-eyed at the hotel at 5.30am and shuffled zombie-like up to my room in preparation for my early start. Lots of sleep missed.
Luckily, after I emerged bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (yeah, right) onto the bustling, crammed streets of Dubai, the motor show itself didn’t disappoint.
The showcase was certainly impressive, with various halls of the Dubai World Trade Centre decked out in the iconic branding of the world’s automobile manufacturers, while the floor was littered with models that sparkled and dazzled as they caught the eye of the assembled masses.
There were also plenty of new car models on show, of course.
The first couple of hours were spent slowly absorbing the medley of unveilings taking place, from the traditional ‘peel back the cover’ at Toyota and Hyundai to the slowly-rotating turntables (BMW, W Motors), to the grand ‘oh look at me!’ big screen presentations offered by Rolls-Royce and Infiniti.
Considering this is a region where clock faces sometimes show three times: ‘late’, ‘very late’ or ‘never’, everything ran surprisingly smoothly.
Among the throng of media representatives and photographers who snaked their way across the hall from one launch to the next, volunteers in bright purple outfits held up signs saying ‘follow me’ and ‘one minute left’ while company bigwigs were in the middle of their spiel about why their latest creation took everything ‘to the next level’, ‘raised the bar’ and was the best thing since sliced bread.
Who writes their speeches and press releases? Just one original thought would be welcomed, just once.
But not one time-slot ran over its allowance, a true revolution!
The best part of the day was reserved for the afternoon though, and a jaunt to the vintage section. No doubt the hidden gem of the event (perhaps too hidden as many I spoke to after didn’t realise it was part of the exhibition), there was a myriad classic cars from various eras.
From the Aston Martin DB4 and the DB6 (obviously the world’s supply of DB5s have been snapped up by James Bond conventions…), to a classic Alvis and a 1955 Mercedes Gullwing, it was a proper nostalgia trip to a classier era. There was even a pink Cadillac with ridiculous tailfins just in case we didn’t get the memo.
The best car of the show was undoubtedly a Panoz Esperante GTR-1, one of only two ever created and a homologation special of a race car entered in the 1997 24-Hours of Le Mans. The chassis has been completely restored after a six-month effort and, for want of a better description, the end result is essentially a real-life Batmobile … in vomit green.
Speaking of garish colours, worst car of the show has to go to the fluorescent yellow Mercedes G Wagon. Anyone who walked past it had to reach for their sunglasses, which was an unwelcome distraction when my eyes were already burning from tiredness late into the evening.
Whilst my trip to the motor show involved a series of unfortunate events that would make a great children’s fiction anthology, my day itself was thoroughly well-spent. And, judging by the huge line extending from the entrance when it opened to non-media punters at 6pm on the opening day, it will prove to be a very rewarding and popular experience.
It was just a shame that there were so many car manufacturer stalls crammed into the main hall that there was no room for tyre producers. I could have done with one of those.
Rolls-Royce unveiled a one-of-a-kind Ghost Golf Edition at the Dubai International Motor Show.
Taking more than two years to be realised by a team of craftspeople in Goodwood, England, the Bespoke Ghost Golf edition takes its inspiration from the fairways to appeal to discerning sportsmen, incorporating design cues and materials that evoke the history of the sport.
A two-tone exterior featuring a contrasting paint combination of Brooklands Green and Desert Dune resonates strongly in the region, where luscious green golf courses of the highest international calibre are set against the background of the surrounding Arabian desert sands.
Showcasing the breadth of Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke offerings, the interior of the car features tri-colour leather in Crème Light, Pine Green and Hotspur Red accented by contrast stitching and seat piping, in addition to Lambswool floor mats, a starlight headliner and picnic tables.
A host of subtle golf-inspired features can be found throughout the unique motor, including door pockets lined with tartan and cross-banded Mahogany veneers using Persimmon wood, a popular material used in the creation of wooden clubs historically.
The Golf theme is completed with a pine green steering wheel and personalised tread plates. For Rolls-Royce information in Bahrain, contact Euro Motors on 17750750.
Nissan set the stage for the world premiere launch of its Patrol Desert Edition, which was developed in partnership with UAE Rally champion Dr Mohammed bin Sulayem, FIA vice president and president of the Automobile and Touring Club UAE, specifically for regional consumers.
The model’s debut follows the Japanese company’s bid to deliver tailored models for customers in the region and to appeal to those who want a bespoke version of the Patrol with enhanced off-road capabilities.
At the Motor Show, Nissan also showcased the world premiere launch of its Nissan Patrol: The Movie experience, where visitors got the chance to star in their own action movie featuring the 2016 Patrol.
Visitors were coached by a director to complete unique shots in front of a special green screen, before exiting to receive their personalised trailers and movie posters.
For Nissan information in Bahrain, contact YK Almoayyed & Sons on 17221555 or 17732732.
Karim Habib, the Labenese-born head of BMW Design, revealed the new BMW 7 Series on the opening day of the Dubai International Motor Show, and emphasised that the flagship model’s primary focus was the luxury design.
Stand-out features of the 2016 iteration include the new intuitive Touch Command seven-inch tablet which offers rear seat passengers the ability to control multiple comfort and entertainment functions. A unique Gesture Control function also gives both driver and passengers the option to adjust the volume or answer the phone with a simple hand gesture, while the BMW 7 Series’ Sky Lounge, a panoramic glass sunroof, gives passengers a clear view of the sky in the day and at night. A Welcome Light Carpet further highlights the range of new features as it illuminates the area in front of the car doors, creating an elegantly hospitable impression.
The unique Solitaire version was the one announced at the show, which is the most expensive 7 Series ever built, boasting luxurious design elements like black piano lack trim and one-carat diamond accents.
Karim said: “This car is our interpretation of contemporary luxury. We consider technical innovation and an uncompromising attention to detail to be paramount when we design a new vehicle, and the new BMW 7 Series is the epitome of these attributes. Presenting the car here at the Dubai Motor Show is a truly great experience, seeing as the Middle East represents the third largest market worldwide for our flagship model.”
For BMW information in Bahrain, contact Euro Motors on 17750750.
Luxury manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover revealed its highly-anticipated Jaguar F-PACE performance crossover at the show.
Finely balanced between style and performance, the new Jaguar F-PACE is a dynamic five-seat vehicle offering a combination of the traditional Jaguar sports car-inspired exterior design, fused with a practical and spacious luxury interior.
The F-PACE has undergone thorough regional testing at Jaguar Land Rover’s Engineering Test Centre in Dubai and will be available in the regional market from the third quarter of 2016.
For Jaguar information in Bahrain, contract Euro Motors on 17750750.
