Dubai Motor Show 2013 – this is your ultimate preview guide

Check out our full preview and everything you need to know about the region’s biggest car show on this week

By Shahzad Sheikh

 

Dubai Motor Show 2013

The Dubai International Motor Show will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre Exhibition Centre from 5th-9th November 2013, said to feature 108 global and regional launches, including 15 concept cars. With over 65,000m² of exhibition space and more than 600 vehicles on display for well over 100,000 visitors.

Timings are 6pm-10pm on Tuesday 5th November, 11am-10pm on Wednesday 6th November, 11am-11pm on Thursday 7th November and Friday 8th November, and 11am-10pm on the last day, Saturday, 9th November.

Dubai Motor Show 2013

There will also be a grand parade taking place on Friday featuring a convoy of exotic cars, including the Dubai Police Supercars from 3pm. Scroll down to the bottom of this page for details on this and other events taking place during the show.

Held every two years, the 2013 this year they’re promising 76 regional launches,

Tickets are AED55 per person, available onsite, children under five will be admitted free. There is parking at the back of the exhibition centre – we suggest you take the Metro instead if possible.

Below are all the cars we know are being displayed or debuted at the show. It’s not ALL of them, as some manufactures are still keeping details to themselves, but it’s all we know at this time. We’ll update this throughout today, and we’ll be covering the show live tomorrow both here on this website and also on our Facebook page.

Dubai Motor Show


Alfa Romeo
4C

Alfa Romeo 4C

Finally a chance to lay your eyes on the exquisite 4C sports car. It’s a lightweight carbon fibre monocoque chassis powered by a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine, producing 240bhp giving it a 0-100kph time of 4.5 seconds, through a dual clutch auto driving the rear wheels. Read more here.


Aston Martin

CC100 Speedster Concept
Vanquish Volante
V12 Vantage S

Aston Martin Vanquish Volante

Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary this year, and part of that its launching a 10+10 offer for all customers of Vanquish in Dubai and Kuwait. Basically, buy a Vanquish and you get a 10 year service and warranty package – for free! Based on my experience of the Vanquish, this is a good thing!

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

At the show Aston will be showcasing its fastest car ever (apart from the One-77), the V12 Vantage S and the new Vanquish Volante.

Aston Martin CC100 Speedster

Also on show will be the spectacular CC100 Speedster Concept, which again celebrates 100 years of the marque.

 

BAIC

BAIC

Gargash Motors will be presenting this Chinese brand at the show for the first time in the UAE. We have no idea what they’ll be showing but they have all kinds of vehicles from commercial to off-road to passenger cars. More from the show.

 

BMW
i8
7 Series M V12 Bi-Turbo
X4 Concept
4 Series Coupe

BMW i8

This will be your first chance in the region to see the spectacular i8 hybrid supercar (which you can read about here) and the 4 Series Coupe (which you can read about here).

BMW 4 Series Coupe

We’re also getting a new top-dog flagship version of the 7 Series – the first ever to wear an M badge. The 760 has a Bi-Turbo V12.

BMW X4 Concept

Plus we’ll see the X4 Concept, first seen at Shanghai and likely to spawn a new production SUV (a sort of mini X6) to battle the likes of the Range Rover Evoque.


Cadillac

Escalade
CTS
XTS V Sport

Cadillac Escalade

The luxury version of GM’s all-new full-size SUV, the Escalade will debut on the Cadillac stand. We’re expecting this to be a really stylish and classy flagship and a hit in our region.

Cadillac CTS

Talking of hits, another car we have very high hopes for is the new CTS, which is Caddy’s BMW 5 Series rival, and considering that car has actually now overtaken the 7 Series for sales, this could be an even more important market entrant for Cadillac than the excellent ATS.

Cadillac XTS V Sport

The large luxury saloon, XTS, gets a sporty makeover for the motor show with a V Sport version debuting.


Chevrolet

Corvette Stingray
Tahoe
Trax
Silverado High Country

Four premieres from Chevrolet for Dubai Motor Show

The Chevy stand will be very busy indeed with four regional premieres.

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The superstar will undoubtedly be the Corvette Stingray, and car that is set to go head-to-head with the Porsche 911, thanks to a 6.2-litre V8 putting out 455bhp.

2015 Chevrolet Tahoe in Crystal Claret grill view from New York

All-new 2015 Tahoe is expected to be a giant leap forward, and this old favourite should draw plenty of attention. Under the hood resides a 5.3-litre EcoTec3 V8 engine.

Chevrolet Trax small SUV

Trax is the new global compact SUV for the company with AWD and good value, it should be of interests to young families. We told you it was coming! Read more here 

2014 Chevrolet Silverado HighCountry

2014 Silverado’s only just gone on sale, and at the show you’ll see the range-topping High Country version with a Cowboy-themed appearance.


Dongfeng

Mengshi

Dongfeng Mengshi

Chinese make Dongfeng will be making its first appearance at the Dubai Motor Show, and it will bring no less than seven vehicles ready to go for the Middle East market.

AW Rostamani Group has taken on the dealership for the brand.

There will even be a new model launch – the Mengshi High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle – a sort of Humvee copy previously only available to the military. We can’t wait to try it!


Ford

Atlas Concept
Fusion
EcoSport

Ford Atlas Concept

Ford will be displaying its ‘vision’ for future pick-up trucks in the form of the massive Atlas Concept. Features such as ‘floating’ instrument pods and glove-friendly buttons, as well extendable ramps and power-outlets in the flatbed are all best on customer feedback. Active aero on a truck? Yep this thing has active wheel shutters, grille shutters for cooling, and a drop down front wind spoiler. More on the Atlas here

2013 Ford Fusion

Finally! We’ve been expecting this for some time, and now the new Fusion is finally here and going on sale. It’s a good looking big saloon with an Aston-like front end and brimming with technology. How can it fail? Read more on the Fusion here 

Ford EcoSport

The little Indian-made Ford EcoSport, offers an all-new budget alternative in the compact SUV segment, fitted with a 1.5-litre engine. Looking forward to trying this one.


GMC

Yukon
Sierra

GMC Yukon Denali

As with Cadillac and Chevrolet, here’s GMC’s all-new full-size SUV, the Yukon, offering room for up to nine passengers, with cargo space! It’ll be packed full of gadgets and comfort features.

GMC Sierra pickup

We’ve already tested it (read the review here) but you’ll get a chance to check out the new range of Sierra trucks including the Denali and SLE versions.


Hennessey

Venom GT

Hennessey Venom GT

First time at the Dubai Motor Show for the power-crazed guys from Hennessey all the way from Texas. And they’re bringing the mental Venom GT, essentially a stretched lightweight Lotus Exige with a 7.0-litre V8 producing 1244bhp and 1155lb ft.


Hyundai

HCD-14 Genesis Concept
i20 WRC
Centennial Limousine
Veloster Turbo

Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis Concept

The striking HCD-14 Genesis Concept features a number of technical innovations such as optical recognition and interactive 3D gesture recognition – it already won North American Concept car of the Year!

Hyundai i20 WRC

Also on the stand will be the i20 WRC marking the Korean brand’s return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) – it’s 1.6-litres of turbocharged fury.

Hyundai Motor image 4

The Centennial Limousine is the stretched version of the flagship Hyundai with an added 285mm of extra rear legroom. My review of the regular Centennial

Hyundai Centennial Limousine

We’re very keen to get our hands on the Veloster Turbo, getting 204bhp from its 1.6-litre turbo. We like the quirky regular car, and if they price it right, this could be a hot-hatch bargain. Read more here


Infiniti

Q50 sedan

Infiniti Q50 sedan

Essentially the new Q50 replaces the G sedan and it also heralds the re-badging of the entire Infinit range in our market. Good looking thing, will be interesting to see it in the metal.
Kia

All-new Cerato Koup
Facelifted Optima saloon

Kia Optima 2014

The Optima is one of the best looking saloons out there, and it’s extremely affordable too. For 2014 it gets a mild makeover with new headlights, front grille, fog lamps, rear lights, restyle bumpers and alloy wheels, as well as daytime running lights now embedded into the headlights.

Theres a range of three new 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel designs and a new sharper-edged trunk lid which reduces drag. Larger rear light clusters also have LEDs.

A new ‘Sports Pack’ adds a high gloss black honeycomb grille, chrome trim for lower air intake, unique 18-inch alloys and a matt black diffuser under the rear bumper with twin tailpipes. The front brakes are also larger and it gets high performance dampers.

There’s also larger screens and improvements inside with a new steerign wheel (flat-bottomed now) and raised side bolster for the front seats. Sound deadening has been improved and there’s improved entertainment systems.

Mechanically it remains the same as before. Optima review

Kia Cerato Koup 2014

The all-new Cerato Koup (also known as the K3 Koup in Korea and Forte Koup in other markets) will go on sale at the show.

It’s a good looking, great value little thing, wtih a range of engines from 161bhp to 204bhp – we’re hoping to see the latter here.

More on spec and pricing from the show! Regular Cerato reviewed here


Land Rover

Range Rover Autobiography Black
Defender LXV
2014 LR4 V6 Supercharged
Evoque with 9-speed auto
Range Rover Sport

Range Rover Autobiography Black

As befits Dubai, Land Rover will be showcasing the most luxurious version yet of the new Range Rover at the show. Dubbed the Autobiography Black it gets a new finish for the front grille and vents and a chrome accent to the tailgate. Two new wheels include 7-spoke 21 and 22-inch editions in high gloss polish.

Inside there’s unique seat cover design with an ‘executive class’ seating package including power-fold-out tables and extra stowage for the long wheel base editions, as well as mood lighting. A Long-wheelbase version will also be presented at the show for the first time. Range Rover review here. 

Defender LXV

The Defender LXV will be a limited edition model celebrating Land Rover’s 65th Anniversary. It gets a 2.2-litre diesel with a six-speed manual and comes with 16-inch Sawtooth alloys in Santorini Black or Fuji White with contrast Corris Grey roof, grille and headlight surrounds. Inside there’s leather and contrasting orange stitching. Regular Defender review here

14MY LR4

The Land Rover LR4 – one of our favourite family cars, gets a refresh and a new V6 supercharged petrol engine. Current LR4 reviewed here

14 MY Range Rover Evoque_Zanzibar_Bronze

Evoque gets a few updates including the first car to get a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Current Evoque reviewed here

2014_Range_Rover_Sport_2

The Range Rover Sport is already on sale, but for many this will be the first chance to take a close look. Our review here


Lincoln

MKC Concept

Lincoln MKC Concept

Lincoln will have a full range of cars at the show including the all-new MKZ saloon, the upmarket MKS, the MKX and MKT SUVs, the full-size Navigator, and the MKC Concept car.

This actually showcases an upcoming compact SUV sharing a platform with the excellent Ford Escape and expected to go on sale next year. More on the MKC here

McLaren
P1

McLaren P1 and Chris Goodwin

The increadible McLaren P1 will be present for all to drool over. Read about the P1 here. And it will be presented by McLaren Chief Test Driver, Chris Goodwin who says: ‘Once you have driven the McLaren P1™ you will see why this ultimate supercar cannot be compared to anything you have ever driven – the McLaren P1™ is without a doubt the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever.’ But he would say that. Read our interview with him here.


Nissan

Patrol
Pathfinder Hybrid
LEAF
GT-R Usain Bolt
Nissan Smart Hybrid Taxi

Nissan Patrol

We’re getting the global debut of the new facelifted Nissan Patrol with revised styling and spec upgrades. More details at the show. Also on the stand will be the Patrol Black Special Edition of which only 200 units will be available. It has a matte black exterior and grille with chrome alloy wheels and red leather interior.

Nissan Patrol 2

The Pathfinder is now going to be available in hybrid guise with electric power mated to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder supercharged petrol engine. Watch the current Patrol tow a massive aeroplane

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

The full electric Leaf will also be on display – already on sale in Europe, North American and Japan, it has a range of 160km on a single charge and can reak 145kph. We don’t think it will be going on sale here though. Read about the regular Pathfinder here

Nissan Leaf

The Usain Bolt edition GT-R will be dispalyed, finished in gold and after the show will go on a tour across the region. This car has Mr Bolts signature on it!

Usain Bolt Nissan GT-R

Based on the Nissan NV200, the Smart Hybrid Taxi offers new ideas and solutions for the modern cab. It will be interesting to see if the RTA take on a few of these on test.

Nissan Smart Hybrid Taxi

 

Porsche
911 Turbo
911 GT3

Porsche 911 Turbo

Porsche will be celebrating 50 years of the iconic 911 by showcasing the new Turbo and GT3 variants of the latest 991 edition of the fabled sports car. More on the Turbo in our Frankfurt report

 

Rolls-Royce
Wraith
Chicane Edition Phantom Coupe

Rolls-Royce Chicane Edition Phantom Coupe

Undoutedly for many this will be an opportunity to see the new Wraith coupe (read our review here), but unique at the Dubai show will be the bespoke ‘Chicane’ edition of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe, inspired by the famous Chicane turn at the historic Goodwood circuit in the UK, near where Rolls-Royce actually makes its cars.

It was commissioned by Dubai’s very own dealer, AGMC and concieved by friend of MME, Mohammed El-Arishy, brand manager at AGMC, who said it would be a ‘special treat in our tenth anniversary’.

The Chicane features special Gunmetal paint finish with a gloss black painted Pantheon grille frame, hood and windshield surround. There are carbon fibre wing-mirror caps and a gloss black finished rear boot lid. Phantom Series II review here.

 

Spania GTA
GTA Spano

GTA Spano

The Spanish supercar maker will be debuting at the Dubai Show and bringing a GTA Spano. Only 99 of these are being made and each features a 900bhp V10 engine giving it a top speed of over 250kph. It only weighs 1350kg.


SRT

Viper

First Dodge SRT Viper V10 in Dubai, UAE

The Snake is back and will be one of the stars of the Chrysler group stand. You can see more pictures of the actual car that will be at the show and read all about it, including price and spec here.

 

Toyota
2014 Corolla
FT-86 Open Concept

2013 Toyota Corolla Europe

The all-new for the region Corolla, Toyota’s best selling car, will be launched at the show. It still remains to be seen if we’re getting the European or American version – our money is on the European car. Read more here.

Toyota 86 Open

On again, off again… we’re not really sure if the FT-86 Open Concept is go for production (more on it here). Last we heard it wasn’t happening, but the fact that they’ve shipped it here to display at the show, suggests they are at least considering it. Let them know if you want them to build it. By the way, the saloon version will NOT be at the show, as incorrectly reported by World Car Fans.

 

W Motors
Lykan HyperSport

W Motors Lykan HyperSport

Said to be the Arab world’s first homegrown supercar, that’s all we really know about it. Considering it’s supposedly being built and developed in our backyard there’s not a lot of information. We’re hoping to find out more at the show.

It’s got a Gemballa-tuned Porsche engine in the back – a twin-turboed flat-six with 750bhp capable of 395kph. Stay tuned for more info.

 

Zenvo
ST1

Zenvo ST1

Now this is claimed to be a debut by the Danish car marker – but I’m pretty sure its been at the Dubai show four years ago! Anyway, it remains pretty exclusive with only 15 to be built – though they seem to be taking long enough – with only two sold. It has a 7.0-litre V8 supercharged and turbocharged to produce 1104bhp.

[UPDATE] Zenvo has been in touch to let us know that the car displayed at the Dubai Motor Show four years ago was a prototype – although it was a fully working prototype because we tested it back then in CAR Middle East magazine which I ran at the time. They only started putting out production models in 2011 according to the new information. It’s one of these that will be shown at the Motor Show here in Dubai this week.

Dubai Motor Show 2013

The Dubai Grand Parade
8th November 2013
Starts 3pm from Trade Centre Roundabout.
5pm: Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 car and parade cars displayed at DWTC car gallery.
The Dubai Grand Parade will see the streets of Dubai come alive with a convoy of super luxury and classic cars and bikes passing by the city’s landmarks as car clubs, private collectors and enthusiasts join together to celebrate a mutual love of motoring, led by the fleet of Dubai Police supercars which have gained international attention in recent months.

Red Bull Car Park Drift Regional Finals
8th November, 2013
Hosted in Dubai for the first time, the Red Bull Car Park Drift regional finals will keep spectators on the edge of their seats as contestants from across the region battle it out for the coveted ‘King of Drift’ title sponsored by Chevrolet. This adrenalin-fuelled feature promises to be the ultimate breakthrough motor sport challenge in the region.
Timings: 9pm-11pm
Doors open: 7pm

Dubai Distinctive Number Plates Public Auction
7th November, 2013
The Dubai International Motor Show is proud to host the Dubai Distinctive Number Plates Public Auction by Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). The auction will take place at the Al Multaqua Ballroom at the exhibition centre.
Timings: 4:30pm
Registration: 11am onwards

Nissan Off-Road Experience
Location: External Area (Plaza)
The Nissan Patrol has a rich heritage in the Middle East Region as one of the world’s most iconic off-road vehicles. It is the ultimate expression of personal freedom and has found numerous fans in the region, with a reputation for being one of the most reliable and capable off-road cars on the market. At the Dubai International Motor Show, Nissan will have an off-road track offering visitors an opportunity to experience Nissan Patrol’s capabilities.

6 responses to “Dubai Motor Show 2013 – this is your ultimate preview guide”

  1. marc says:

    thanks for this guys, very helpful indeed.

    loyal reader of your page, but this one is probably amog the best/ most helpful ones!!

    all the best,
    m

  2. Talal says:

    when and where is your next motor show take place/

    Thanks

    Talal

  3. Munawar Azad says:

    I really feel sorry not to be there as I am not there in Dubai any more. I used to visit the motor show, take picture to show to my friends. For future Insha Allah.
    Same applies to the Dubai Air Show

  4. amar jalil says:

    Dear Sir

    May i know the Dubai motor show schedule for 2014.

Leave a Reply to admin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.