1 year ago

UAE: Lamborghini Dubai Launches Huracán Sterrato

Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai debuted the much anticipated first all-terrain super sports car, the Huracán Sterrato, in the UAE. The high-spec vehicle was unveiled in Lamborghini’s showroom in Dubai. The car has been designed for optimal driving pleasure on both roads and dirt surfaces. The Huracán Sterrato offers optimised driving dynamics for perfect control in all environments, from the highway to dirt roads. The Huracán Sterrato comes with a 5.2l V10 engine with maximum power output of 610 CV and 560 Nm of torque (at 6500 rpm), combined with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled all-wheel drive with rear mechanical self-locking differential. Designed to offer optimum performance on unpaved and sandy surfaces, it accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260 kmph.

1 year ago

Great Wall Motors Hosts Investor Day 2023 in China

A selected group of foreign investors from 300 key dealers in 32 countries participated in the GWM Investor Day 2023 held in Baoding, Hebei Province. Themed as “Go Long. Go with the World,”, the summit underscores GWM’s goals for global openness and collaboration. Parker Shi, VP of GWM and Head of GWM International, gave the opening speech, discussing GWM’s long-term development strategy and commitment to global collaboration, with aims to promote a global industrial layout by prioritising R&D, production, sales, and services and partnering with global investors to achieve co-creation and sharing. Julien Wang, Chief Technology Officer of GWM, introduced GWM’s strong global R&D strength and the company’s intelligent development layout to investors; Shujie Meng, Chief Production Officer of GWM, shared the advantages and highlights of the company’s global layout with investors from the perspective of production and supply. During the meeting, GWM’s CTO, Julien Wang, highlighted the company’s global R&D capabilities and development strategy, while the Chief Production Officer, Shujie Meng, discussed the benefits and key features of their global production and supply network. During the summit, GWM presented their various market strategies, which included brand-specific localization and fostering user-enterprise cooperation as highlighted by Yanzhao Liu, CEO of GWM […]

1 year ago

Annual Fee for Issuance and Renewal of Vehicle License Comes Into Force

Saudi Arabia started charging an annual fee for the issuance and renewal of Vehicle Registration License (istimara) in accordance with the vehicle’s fuel efficiency effective from Sunday, Oct. 22. In the first phase, the fee will be applicable to only owners of 2024 model new light vehicles. The second phase will come into force during the year 2024 and will cover owners of all light and heavy vehicles. The annual fee will be calculated according to two criteria. The first criterion is engine capacity for all light vehicles model 2015 and before and all heavy vehicles while the criterion will be fuel efficiency for light vehicles model 2016 and later. The fee has been divided into five levels according to fuel consumption efficiency and no fee will be charged for low-consumption vehicles. It is noteworthy that the Council of Ministers decided in August 2021 to charge an annual fee for the issuance and renewal of vehicle licenses according to their fuel efficiency. A number of government agencies are participating in the application of the annual fee and these include the Ministry of Commerce; the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization; the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority; the General Traffic Department; […]

1 year ago

Bentley Bahrain Hosts Awareness Drive for Breast Cancer

In the spirit of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bentley Bahrain, in collaboration with other brands from Behbehani Brothers W.L.L., organised an awareness drive. The event aimed to shed light on the alarming statistics surrounding breast cancer and to empower women with knowledge about prevention, early detection, and self-examination. The awareness drive commenced with a series of health checks conducted by trained medical professionals, ensuring that attendees had the opportunity to monitor their breast health and identify any potential concerns. Following the health checks, an engaging and informative lecture was delivered by Dr. Bushra Al Sharraf from Al Hilal Hospital, who shared valuable insights on prevention strategies, emphasised the importance of early detection, and provided guidance on self-examination techniques. “Breast cancer remains the most prevalent form of cancer among females in Bahrain, accounting for a staggering 37.2% of all cancer cases in Bahraini women,” said Semreen Ahmed, the Marketing Manager at Bentley Bahrain. Breast cancer awareness initiatives play a pivotal role in reducing mortality rates and improving the overall quality of life for individuals affected by the disease. Participating brands included Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, VW, Skoda, Jeep, Fiat, and Dodge.

1 year ago

Saudi: Red Sea Global Debuts Largest Off-Grid EV Charging Network

In a pioneering move toward sustainable transportation, Red Sea Global (RSG), the mastermind behind regenerative tourism destinations such as Amaala and The Red Sea, has achieved a significant milestone by completing the installation of the largest off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Saudi Arabia. Comprising more than 150 strategically placed charging stations, this network spans phase one of The Red Sea destination area. It is designed to support RSG’s initial fleet of 80 electric vehicles, including models from Lucid and Mercedes, ensuring these luxury EVs remain charged and operational on the roads. John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG, expressed the company’s commitment to combining sustainability and luxury in a unique manner, stating, “Our ambition to combine sustainability and luxury like never before takes a new form as we drive The Red Sea into the future of next-gen, smart mobility, fully powered by sunlight.” The exclusive use of electric vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz EQS and Lucid Air, is reserved for guest transport during their stay at The Red Sea. These luxury EVs will facilitate seamless travel experiences for guests, whether arriving at the destination, departing, or moving within the various resorts and facilities. Advance bookings or on-demand services will allow guests […]

1 year ago

Porsche Centre Bahrain Opens New Studio in Moda Mall

Porsche Centre Bahrain has opened a new Porsche Studio in Moda Mall, where automotive enthusiasts can experience the brand’s iconic vehicles. The Porsche Studio offers customers interactive experiences, such as virtual reality configurators for personalised vehicle customization and consultations with Porsche experts. Knowledgeable staff will provide expert advice, arrange test drives, and ensure customers enjoy a seamless buying experience. “We are thrilled to bring the Porsche Studio to Bahrain and provide a unique automotive experience to our valued customers,” said Timothy Price, General Manager of Porsche Bahrain. “The Porsche Studio at Moda Mall will serve as a hub of automotive excellence where enthusiasts can explore our iconic models, immerse themselves in the Porsche brand, and receive personalised service that exceeds their expectations.” Porsche enthusiasts and automotive aficionados can visit the Porsche Studio at Moda Mall, which is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

1 year ago

Hot Times in the ‘Piccolo’ V12

I’m no stranger to Ferrari’s 296GTS and GTB. I am fortunate to have driven this wildly powerful hybrid supercar on many occasions in Bahrain, including on the track. Recently, I was invited to fly down to Dubai by Ferrari Middle East to spend a weekend of thrills and luxury experiencing the 296GTS and GTB on the roads of the UAE. Despite having driven the 296 in Bahrain several times, driving a car with that much power on Bahrain’s roads feels somewhat comparable to say the world’s strongest man working out in a basic 3-star hotel gym – so much unusable potential! In the UAE it’s a different story, with much more road and unchartered territory. And, with all Dubai’s glitz and glamour, Ferrari’s just seem to look better there. The difference between the GTB and GTS, by the way, is simply that the B means Berlinetta while the S means Spider, and the Spider is a convertible while the Berlinetta is not.  The plan was to have the 296 GTS one day, and the GTB the other. But plans changed and I instead had the 296 GTS over both days. I was happy about this because I personally feel like […]

1 year ago

McLaren CEO Says Supercars Not Ready For EV Technology 

Several years ago, Mercedes-AMG chief Philipp Schiemer assured Road & Track that the V-8 engine would be in production through 2030. Fast forward to today, and McLaren’s CEO Michael Leiters expresses scepticism, stating that electric vehicle technology isn’t yet primed for supercars. Leiters, speaking with Bloomberg Television on Thursday, said, “I don’t expect this technology [EV] to be ready for real supercars before the end of the decade.” He stressed, “Weight is super important, you need also the right range.”  From McLaren’s new showroom in Dubai, Leiters highlighted that heavy cars aren’t nimble around turns and go against “the core of our brand.” In other words, even the most advanced battery systems for EVs aren’t ready for real supercars – maybe not until 2030.  “We don’t want to do an electric car which weighs two tons and then has 2,000 horsepower,” Leiters continued. He said the weight would need to come down to the 3,300-pound range – or equivalent to models in production today.  Despite Leiters’ concerns, some supercar makers are shifting towards zero-emission vehicles (see: Aston’s deal with Lucid). However, Mercedes-AMG head Philipp Schiemer has been very clear the V-8 engine will be around through 2030: “I think there will be a future, yes,” […]

1 year ago

First Look: Made-In-UAE Electric Bike to Hit the Road

In a momentous revelation at the 7th Economic Sustainability Forum in Sharjah, the spotlight was firmly on the UAE’s sustainable innovation as the first-ever “Smart Electric Traffic Bike” made entirely in the Emirates was unveiled. This groundbreaking achievement emerged from a dynamic partnership between the Sharjah Research Park for Technology and Innovation and “Sulmi.” Brigadier Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, seized the moment to unveil this trailblazing prototype during the forum. The event itself was a testament to the harmonious synergy between the police force and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in their collective commitment to bolstering the business sector. Under the theme of “A Safe Sharjah with a Sustainable Economy,” this forum resonated with excitement and anticipation for the UAE’s role in sustainability solutions. It comes as the nation prepares to host the global COP28 gathering next month, positioning itself as a beacon of innovation and eco-consciousness on the world stage. Top speed, charging, range This groundbreaking electric motorbike boasts a top speed of 155 km/h and a range of 300km on a single charge (enough to cover Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and back, on a single charge), thanks to its […]

1 year ago

McLaren Opens World’s Largest Standalone Showroom in Dubai

McLaren has unveiled the world’s largest standalone showroom in Dubai. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, this facility shares the McLaren Dubai complex with the world’s largest dedicated Service Centre, which opened its doors in 2022. The grand opening gala saw the presence of Michael Leiters, CEO of McLaren Automotive, who was joined by over 200 esteemed customers and VIPs. The event also featured the regional debut of the stunning new McLaren 750S. A spectacular lightshow took place at downtown Dubai during the event. Moreover, the evening showcased a collection of iconic road cars, including the McLaren P1, McLaren Senna, Speedtail, and 765LT. “I offer my warmest congratulations to the team at McLaren Dubai on the launch of this spectacular new showroom. Dubai is McLaren’s biggest market in the UAE, and this landmark opening is a key milestone in McLaren’s growth globally, as well as further strengthening our presence in the region,” Leiters said. Dubai sets stage for McLaren supercars Juma Khalifa Al Nabooda, Board Member of the Khalifa Juma Al Nabooda Group of Companies, also expressed pride in launching the world’s largest McLaren showroom in Dubai. “We are extremely proud to be launching the largest McLaren showroom in the world here […]

© Copyright 2024, Gulf Insider All Rights Reserved   | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy