From armoured personnel carriers to luxury sports cars, the 2019 Dubai Motor Show is a petrol-head’s dream.
The international exhibit opened its doors on Tuesday, November 12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with something on offer for everyone.
Dubai Police were keen to show off the latest additions to their fleet of patrol vehicles, including a V8 Bentley Bentayga with a top speed of 290kph.
The Shaman 8X8 amphibious vehicle by American manufacturer Streit is also likely to be a big draw for visitors over the five-day event.
Its 146 horsepower engine and eight-wheels can cope with even the most treacherous driving conditions by inflating or deflating its tyres.
Engaging the rear propeller of the 11-seater also allows drivers to power through flooded streets or even navigate lakes and rivers.
"Self-inflating tyres and the built-in propeller can all be controlled from the dashboard," said David Kaufman, business development manager at Streit.
“All eight wheels are multi-directional so it is very versatile and can turn in a very tight space.
“There is a UAE market for this vehicle, particularly with the heavy rains recently. It can even be taken into the sea from the beach.”
Meanwhile, police in Ras Al Khaimah are believed to have added the monster Shaman off-roader to its fleet of patrol cars.
The Russian–built all-terrain vehicle is seen as ideally suited for the mountainous lunar landscape of the northern emirates.
At $300,000 (Dh1.1 million) it does not come cheap, but its price tag is still far from the most expensive vehicle on show.
Supercar Alley is also always a favourite at the annual exhibit and this year’s display of speed does not disappoint.
A 2018 McLaren Senna, named after the legendary Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, has a gargantuan rear spoiler, helping deliver a downforce allowing for a top speed of 340kph.
And while that may seem fast enough for most, parked up next to the Senna is an even quicker beast.
The 2018 Bugatti Chiron can hit a top speed of more than 400kph, and is also named after a previous racing great.
Bugatti’s factory driver Louis Chiron was one of the fastest drivers in pre-Formula One history.
Ulugbekhon Maksumov, chief executive of Inkas armoured luxury cars, said his firm had brought customised vehicles built to protect presidents and VIPs.
“We are upgrading normal vehicles to weld ballistic steel onto the cars to make them bomb-proof,” he said.
“There are many different specifications. Security companies in the UAE will request cars that can withstand normal ammunition.
“In other parts of the world, our clients ask for vehicles that can withstand armour piercing bullets and grenades.
“Our market is concentrated in the UAE and the Middle East, but we deliver cars to all over the world [including] embassies and military departments.”
Red Joan
Director: Trevor Nunn
Starring: Judi Dench, Sophie Cookson, Tereza Srbova
Rating: 3/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
SPECS
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SPECS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
My Country: A Syrian Memoir
Kassem Eid, Bloomsbury
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
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