2014 Sharjah Motor Show – report
What to see at the Sharjah Motor Show – launches from Mercedes, BMW, Mini, Lotus & Dodge
By Shahzad Sheikh
The Sharjah Motor Show opened today and will run until Saturday 29 November at the Sharjah Expo Centre in Al Khan near Al Mamzar.
It launched with a number of surprise launches from Mercedes, BMW, Mini, Lotus and Dodge. See our video recap above.
Mercedes AMG GT debuted in Sharjah in GT S guise with 510bhp, priced at AED730,000. It’s once sexy new machine and it’s the undisputed star of the 2014 Sharjah Motor Show.
Though I have to say, as desirable as the GT looked on its pedestal, this awesome machine certainly still pushes all the rights buttons as far as I’m concerned. No more available though – this is the Final Edition SLS.
Mercedes also used the show for the formal launch of the CLA45 AMG – the saloon version of the hot little A45 AMG we really enjoyed but with a pricier tag starting from AED297,000.
BMW served up a selection of new models, including an anniversary edition M5, and the all-new BMW X6 which is on sale now in the region at a price of AED430k for the the xDrive50i, with the 35i to follow next year.
A baby BMW also debuted – the 2 Series Active Tourer, a front-wheel drive Beemer is priced from AED213,000.
Mini showed off its new hatchback plus two extra doors – the Mini 5-door hatchback. Prices start at AED135,000 for the Cooper and AED175,000 for the Cooper S.
The Lotus Exige is finally here, priced from AED320,000, it looks like a blast.
We absolutely cannot wait to give this little baby a thrash – our favourite car of the show!
Do not ignore this Dodge Challenger R/T.
When you get here, make sure you take a look inside at the fantastic new interior and the delightfully 70s-style instrument panel.
Check out the wonderful little super-retro Beetle on the Volkswagen stand. Great fun, loads of character and a price you can’t argue with.
Back on the biggest stand at the show – FCA – Fiat-Chrysler – you can also see the new Alfa Romeo 4C, the Giulietta QV, Viper and some cool modified Wranglers.
This is also where you can get rides in Jeeps on a special obstacle indoor obstacle course – not to be missed.
Head across the laughable copycat Chinese exhibits from there to the Nissan stand to see the coolest cars they sell – the GT-R and the 370Z, not to mention the Patrol and the all-new X-Trail.
Finally there classic and oddball cars in the last hall exhibited by the Sharjah Old Cars Club. The Gullwing Stingray is quite a treat to behold.
