Dubai Motor Show
Discussion
Went down this morning to do some recon on a client's competitor - it's on until Saturday I think.
Decent showing from most brands - few exceptions i.e. no Bentley or Bugatti nor some of the smaller brands (i.e. Skoda/SEAT/Volvo etc). Some interesting 'local cars' such as the 5000bhp V16 DEVEL (ahem) and a couple of angular monstrosities from a Chinese firm calling itself Karlmann King plus the Shaali UAE track car. None of these looks more than styling house bucks, but I'm sure someone with deep pockets is funding these operations.
Was nice to see the Alfa SUV, the AMG One, some lovely motors on Aston's stand, and the Phantom looked pretty special in its purplish hue - though the white interior would be a nightmare to live with. Liked GMC's new Desert Fox and the MINI GP concept thing, but other than that there seemed to be a huge number of swoopy saloons and coupes in various forms from the likes of Infiniti, Kia (new Stinger was a bit disappointing imho), Lexus etc.
Lots of Chinese brands including a smattering of SUVs from Borgward and most of the big names were touting hybrids and electric cars whenever they could.
The 'Dream boulevard' and 'historic' bit seemed very much like fillers for an empty end of the hall. If you've always wanted a selfie with a Veyron behind ropes then that seemed to be the place to go.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours - there's drifting passenger rides outside (100dhs) plus some activations from Nissan and Toyota. No doubt it will be heaving over the weekend.
Decent showing from most brands - few exceptions i.e. no Bentley or Bugatti nor some of the smaller brands (i.e. Skoda/SEAT/Volvo etc). Some interesting 'local cars' such as the 5000bhp V16 DEVEL (ahem) and a couple of angular monstrosities from a Chinese firm calling itself Karlmann King plus the Shaali UAE track car. None of these looks more than styling house bucks, but I'm sure someone with deep pockets is funding these operations.
Was nice to see the Alfa SUV, the AMG One, some lovely motors on Aston's stand, and the Phantom looked pretty special in its purplish hue - though the white interior would be a nightmare to live with. Liked GMC's new Desert Fox and the MINI GP concept thing, but other than that there seemed to be a huge number of swoopy saloons and coupes in various forms from the likes of Infiniti, Kia (new Stinger was a bit disappointing imho), Lexus etc.
Lots of Chinese brands including a smattering of SUVs from Borgward and most of the big names were touting hybrids and electric cars whenever they could.
The 'Dream boulevard' and 'historic' bit seemed very much like fillers for an empty end of the hall. If you've always wanted a selfie with a Veyron behind ropes then that seemed to be the place to go.
Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours - there's drifting passenger rides outside (100dhs) plus some activations from Nissan and Toyota. No doubt it will be heaving over the weekend.
Just left there a short while back. Not a bad show but thought that was until 11pm so a mad sprint through the second hall at 9.50pm before the 10pm close.
Did not get to see the Stinger unfortunately but sat in a Maybach and then the S63L...not much of a difference and much as I have loved giant Mercs, I would take my old W140 sedans and coupes any day of the week.
The Hyundai Genesis G90 was interesting and build quality felt excellent. The new Lexus LS felt a bit cheap in fit and finish (!!) and all the cars felt very cramped, even the uberbarges, after my sequoia (which I am sitting in scoffing KFC).
The Brabus stand was great and their restored Grosser was nothing short of amazing. Of course, lining up was a concept foreign to some who seemed to think it ok to simply push past and walk to the front. Rolls eyes.
Speaking of Rolls, that LWB Phantom looked amazing and the line up of multiple veyrons, aparta Ferrari whatsit and Konigseeeeeg behind some ropes down the back shows how blaise we have become (laughing).
The new Lincoln Continental was dire and seems to have been made for five footers.
Had a great chat with people on the Porsche, Aston and Audi stands and a good natter with two of the presenters at the Chevrolet stand. One was from head office in Detroit and she had seen the Cadillac Cien a few weeks ago in their heritage collection. I begged for it to be put into production.
There was a black two door Lexus (name escapes me) and I commented to the chap next to me that the interior dash was very LFA like. Checked his name badge - managing director of Toyota something. Had a chat about the LFA and repositioning of Lexus cf when it all started with the LS400.
Overall it seemed people were very very receptive/surprised to please, thanks and some manners :-)
managed to sit in the Mclaren SLR (very cramped) but the Maser Gran Cabrio 'fit' great except for the awful screen in the centre console that looks like an afterthought.
Good fun for a few hours
Did not get to see the Stinger unfortunately but sat in a Maybach and then the S63L...not much of a difference and much as I have loved giant Mercs, I would take my old W140 sedans and coupes any day of the week.
The Hyundai Genesis G90 was interesting and build quality felt excellent. The new Lexus LS felt a bit cheap in fit and finish (!!) and all the cars felt very cramped, even the uberbarges, after my sequoia (which I am sitting in scoffing KFC).
The Brabus stand was great and their restored Grosser was nothing short of amazing. Of course, lining up was a concept foreign to some who seemed to think it ok to simply push past and walk to the front. Rolls eyes.
Speaking of Rolls, that LWB Phantom looked amazing and the line up of multiple veyrons, aparta Ferrari whatsit and Konigseeeeeg behind some ropes down the back shows how blaise we have become (laughing).
The new Lincoln Continental was dire and seems to have been made for five footers.
Had a great chat with people on the Porsche, Aston and Audi stands and a good natter with two of the presenters at the Chevrolet stand. One was from head office in Detroit and she had seen the Cadillac Cien a few weeks ago in their heritage collection. I begged for it to be put into production.
There was a black two door Lexus (name escapes me) and I commented to the chap next to me that the interior dash was very LFA like. Checked his name badge - managing director of Toyota something. Had a chat about the LFA and repositioning of Lexus cf when it all started with the LS400.
Overall it seemed people were very very receptive/surprised to please, thanks and some manners :-)
managed to sit in the Mclaren SLR (very cramped) but the Maser Gran Cabrio 'fit' great except for the awful screen in the centre console that looks like an afterthought.
Good fun for a few hours
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