ABU DHABI // Ever wondered what your car would look like in pink with yellow stars painted on the side? This week you can find out.
Visitors to the Abu Dhabi International Motorshow, which opened at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) yesterday, have the chance to virtually modify one of 15 cars ranging from the Ferrari F458 to more mainstream 4x4s such as the Nissan Patrol and Lexus LX570.
The demonstration, at Al Hilal Bank stand, has a large touchscreen that allows users to pick any colour they like, and add custom graphics such as flames or stars. A picture of their fantasy vehicle can then be sent to them by e-mail.
Outside in the winter sunshine, the Al Ain Raceway has brought along some of its go-karts, and visitors can race around a 350-metre track for 15 minutes for Dh150. Tomorrow and Friday, the Emirati racing driver Khaled al Qubaisi will attempt to break the world indoor speed record, which stands at just over 132kph.
There is also a Red Bull Pit Stop, which features a genuine Formula One car chassis. Visitors can compete to change a tyre in the fastest time possible.
The motorshow is ready for an expected 50,000 visitors over the next five days, but some of the world's major manufacturers, notably the major German marques, are not present.
Peter McConnell, the show director, said about half of the region's most important car manufacturers had taken stands for the show. He added that the region's most important Japanese brands, including the world's biggest car maker, Toyota, were present.
