Batmobile is star at Al Hilal car festival

The Batmobile was a big star at the auto festival on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // There were Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and BMWs, but it was the Batmobile that stole the show at the final day of this year’s Al Hilal Auto Festival.

Held over three days on the Corniche, the exhibition of all things automobile concluded on Sunday evening.

The Batmobile, which attracted a steady stream of onlookers, was brought to the festival by local company P P Performance.

Saif Alamoudi, public relations manager for the company, said the vehicle is owned by an Emirati man.

In addition to its unique design, Mr Alamoudi said, the 3,000kg steel vehicle, powered by a six-speed manual Corvette engine, can shoot a metre-long flame from its tail.

He said the vehicle is not authorised to drive on the nation’s roads.

In addition to the Batmobile, his company also brought along the 2006 Dodge Viper recently used in the filming of Furious 7, and a modified 2008 Mercedes C63 capable of going from zero to 100kph in 2.2 seconds.

He said P P Performance’s business lies in providing standout cars for motion pictures.

"When they ask for something special, we give them something special," he said, adding the company provided a total of 27 cars for Furious 7, free of charge.

The festival, now in its seventh year, included 13 car dealers showcasing 18 luxury and classic car brands, a motorsport drifting competition, a souq with products aimed at women, as well as performances by skateboarders, rollerbladers, and acrobats.

Mariam Ahli, event organiser and head of corporate communications for Al Hilal Bank, said this year’s festival was geared towards families and had attracted 60,000 people over three days.

“This event is a good way to promote Abu Dhabi,” she said.

This year’s festival included an additional two events at the weekend – the drag racing Yas Super Street Challenge and the Custom Show Emirates, an auto customisation showcase held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.