Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

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

By Shahzad Sheikh

• All the news from the Dubai Moto Show
• Shahzad’s best bits of the Dubai Motor Show
• Our gallery of images from the Motor Show
• Devel 16 – the 5000bhp super car from Dubai
• Nine facts from the Chrysler Group Roundtable at the show
• Motor Show Photography competition

 

The Dubai International Motor Show will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre Exhibition Centre from 5^th-9^th 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 5^th November, 11am-10pm on Wednesday 6^th November, 11am-11pm on Thursday 7^th November and Friday 8^th November, and 11am-10pm on the last day, Saturday, 9^th November.

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.

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 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!

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.

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

 

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

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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 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

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 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

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 

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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.

 

Porsche
911 Turbo
911 GT3

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.