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The GCC has an enduring obsession with supercars and some of the world’s fastest and most expensive models will turn regional admirers’ heads on the Boulevard of Dreams - a dedicated supercars zone - at this year’s Dubai International Motor Show.
Tens of thousands of car enthusiasts from across the region are set to descend on the event at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on November 14-18.
Organisers believe the boulevard, one of five specialised sectors at the 14th edition of the biennial show, is guaranteed to draw huge crowds, from serious car buyers to aspiring owners, petrol-heads and car-mad children.
Trixie LohMirmand, senior vice president, exhibitions & events management, DWTC, said: “In keeping with the prestige, glamour and mystique associated with the supercar segment, visitors will be in for a real treat with some big reveals scheduled for the show.”
The MENA region is home to an ever-increasing number of ‘ultra-high net-worth’ individuals. A recent Knight Frank report says the number grew by 48 per cent from 2006 to 2016, with some 7,370 sharing a combined wealth of $810 billion now calling the region home.
So it is little surprise that the supercar segment continues to move at a rapid pace, as evidenced by industry luminaries such as McLaren opening a new showroom in Bahrain, as recently reported in MotoringWeekly. At present, the Middle East makes up 12 per cent of McLaren’s global sales.
Andreas Bareis, managing director Middle East, Africa & Latin America for McLaren Automotive, who attended the Tubli facility’s inauguration alongside chairman of McLaren, Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, and Kanoo Motors directors Ebrahim M Kanoo and Talal F Kanoo, said: “McLaren has been going from strength-to-strength in the Middle East.”
Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, is the majority shareholder of the McLaren Group and the British sports car marque considers the kingdom as its second home.
Kanoo Motors unveiled the stylish complex, which serves as both a showroom for McLaren’s fleet and as a service facility with a full workshop. The new 3,000sqm showroom and aftersales facility, located opposite the Toyota Plaza, was designed to meet McLaren’s international standards, said head of McLaren – Kanoo Motors, Trevor Fletcher.
After its recent appearance in Bahrain, McLaren’s 570S Spider, which has all the performance of the Coupé plus the extra exhilaration of open-air driving, will be placed on show at the marque’s stand at Dubai International Motor Show.
“We also have another two surprises, but more will be revealed at the show,” added Andreas.
McLaren will be joined at the five-day automotive extravaganza by other legendary manufacturers including Ferrari and Maserati.
And, Italian automaker ICONA will also unveil the world’s first handmade titanium supercar – the Vulcano Titanium, which is inspired by and made with the same materials as the world’s fastest aeroplane – the Blackbird SR-71. The Vulcano Titanium is valued at a whopping $2.9 million.
Teresio G. Gaudio, chairman and CEO of ICONA, said: “It’s is an excellent opportunity to showcase our unique Vulcano Titanium supercar, the first car in the world handmade in titanium with more than 10,000 hours of manual hammer forming.
“We think that the style of this unique masterpiece will capture the discerning taste of a selected public. The Vulcano Titanium is an example of the craftsmanship of ICONA blended with design and technology. We are also ready to discuss personalised, unique one-offs with keen car collectors.”
Other exhibitors in the sector eager to show that the Middle East is on track to producing its own eye-catching supercars include Rimac, which will be showcasing its Rimac Concept One, an electric supercar.
Khalid Alzarooni, founder of Gotham Motors, Middle East Distributor for Rimac Automobili, said: “The Rimac Concept One is a piece of technological art and with only a handful of these cars on the planet, the motor show gives car lovers a unique opportunity to experience the product first hand, see how far electric motoring technology has advanced and to pre-order a car!”
The 2017 Dubai International Motor Show is open from 6pm to 10pm on Tuesday, November 14; 11am to 10pm on November 15, 11am to 11pm on 16 November and 17 November; and from 11am to 10pm on 18 November 18.
For more details on McLaren in Bahrain, call 80007878.
