Autoblog

Followup: Dubai authorities arrest YouTube hoons

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Videos, Middle East

A memorable day on a Dubai highway - Click above to watch video after the jump

Well, wouldn't 'cha know that it actually wasn't just another day in Dubai traffic. You may recall the video that we posted last Friday that showed a couple of hooning drivers doing wicked crazy burnouts, drifts and donuts all over public highways in Dubai... not to mention plenty of driving on two wheels. If not, now would be a good time to click past the break to see the video for yourself.

As it turns out, the two men - both UAE nationals in their 20s - driving the vehicles in question down Sheikh Zayed Road have been tracked down and arrested. As has happened in the past, police were able to identify the vehicles after seeing their license plates in full view from the videos uploaded to YouTube.

Let this be a lesson. A lesson of what, exactly, is up to you to discern. We'll go with a few: Don't hoon so obviously on highly trafficked public roads. Don't endanger the lives or livelihoods of your fellow citizens. And finally, don't upload videos of your illegal actions to YouTube unless you are willing to pay the consequences.

Oh, and speaking of consequences... these two drivers are reportedly facing up to three years in prison if convicted.

[Source: ArabianBusiness.com]

Continue reading Followup: Dubai authorities arrest YouTube hoons

Followup: Dubai authorities arrest YouTube hoons originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Toys/Games, Middle East

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Television coverage of Formula One grands prix typically end with an aerial shot of the podium and the fans beneath it, a panorama usually dominated by the tifosi passing a giant Scuderia Ferrari flag over the crowd. That view may have been largely absent with the void of Ferrari victories this season, but if you were watching the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this past weekend you might have noticed something even bigger: the site of Ferrari World, the new theme park being constructed adjacent to the marina circuit on Yas Island.

The park can easily be picked out from the air, housed in a giant red roof that sports a 200-foot-tall Ferrari logo, the largest ever made. With doors set to open in the new year, details are now being released while work is underway on the attractions that will be included in the 200,000 square meters (over two million square feet) of indoor space dedicated to the park.

Among the 20+ rides that will be housed in the largest indoor park on earth will be the world's fastest roller coaster, a g-force drop tower breaching the 150-foot-high red steel roof to extend over 200 feet into the sky, racing simulators, karting and a flume ride through a giant Ferrari engine. Of course there will be plenty of hospitality and shopping to go along with the rides, more of which you can read about in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

[Source: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi]

Continue reading Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi gears up for grand opening in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Noah Joseph — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:47:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Middle East

2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

Les jeux sont faits. The line signifies the last call for bets at a casino, and is all too familiar to racing fans visiting Monte Carlo for the annual Monaco Grand Prix. But these days the Mediterranean principality isn't the only place that features state-of-the-art Formula One race cars speeding past casinos. Nor is it the only exotic locale anymore that stages an F1 grand prix around a marina, for that matter. Over the past couple of years, Valencia and Singapore became two of the newest circuits that incorporate trackside docking for mega-yachts alongside wheel-to-wheel action, and this year Abu Dhabi joined the fold with the much-hyped Yas Marina Circuit. But by the time the F1 circus sailed in to the Gulf emirate for the last round of the 2009 Formula One World Championship, the titles were already settled and the champions already crowned.

With the major plays already made, some might have dismissed the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as insignificant. Indeed, if Bernie Ecclestone had his way with his proposed olympic-style medal system, the race might have been canceled altogether. But if you ask us, removing the title chase from racing boils motorsport competition down to its essence, all eyes focused purely on the checkered flag instead of scoring points in the larger context of the championship. And if anything, the action on Yas Island only proved the point. Follow the jump to read how it unfolded.

Gallery: 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Continue reading SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

SPOILER ALERT: 2009 Formula 1 season wraps up with a bang at inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UAE attempts to make seatbelts more fashionable in order to encourage use

Dan Roth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Design/Style

Seatbelts have been spun as fashion items before, but not like this. In an effort to counteract the low take-rate of seatbelts in the United Arab Emirates, the Salama Road Safety Public Awareness Initiative will be launching soon. The initiative will adorn the potential life savers with haute couture logos like Gucci, as well as the logos of sports teams, flags, and so on as a way to make buckling up suddenly hip to young motorists.

Abu Dhabi's Health Authority (HAAD) cites figures that it can entice more than the current 11% of Emiratis to click the buckle if it appeals to the citizens senses of pride or style. Peer pressure to avoid belts was also cited by respondents to the HAAD's as a reason for not belting. The idea may not work, but it's worth a shot to flip the script on the fashion conscious and turn seatbelts from lame to haute couture.

[Source:Arabian Business via Luxist; Source Image: Zumiez]

UAE attempts to make seatbelts more fashionable in order to encourage use originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Top Gear crew spotted in UAE with quartet of top-shelf supercars

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars

Click above to watch video after the jump

The last time Top Gear went to the United Arab Emirates, they took three Veyrons for a spin and sent the Stig into the mountains behind the wheel of a Koenigsegg. And that was the magazine. So you can bet that if the television show were to head there as well, it'd be for an equally exciting romp. And here you have it: Video footage of Richard Hammond and Sheikh al-Stig at UAE's Alain Airport with a quartet of the most desirable top-of-the-line supercars on the market. In plain view on the closed-off air strip are a Mercedes SLR McLaren 722, the new Lamborghini Murcielago SV LP670-4, a Bugatti Veyron for good measure (probably the same all-red example that took part in the triple formation) and an original McLaren F1 to put them all in their place. The comparison promises to be epic, but you can check out the video footage after the jump in the meantime.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Continue reading VIDEO: Top Gear crew spotted in UAE with quartet of top-shelf supercars

VIDEO: Top Gear crew spotted in UAE with quartet of top-shelf supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Golden Arches: Gilded McMerc spotted in - you guessed it - Dubai

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:31:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz

Redefining the term "enough is enough", the owner of this car is said to have had his SLR gold-chromed. The strangest part is that, according to reports, this is actually the same Mercedes SLR McLaren that was previously spied in Dubai with a silver-chrome treatment. We're not sure about the accuracy of this model considering it has a different rear spoiler, different wheels (which have also been gold-chromed) and darker taillight frame like those on later versions of the Anglo-Saxon supercar, not to mention a different license plate... although the car also reportedly belongs to the owner of a UAE license plate registry, so anything's possible.

The sad reality is that someone, whether it's the same guy or not, looked at a chromed McMerc and thought, Yeah, but what if it were plated in gold? Sure makes the gold-plated Veyron and Phantom DHC sent to the same region seem like the epitome of good taste.

[Source: GTSpirit.com]

The Golden Arches: Gilded McMerc spotted in - you guessed it - Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super-rare Supercar: Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang for sale in Abu Dhabi

Noah Joseph — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Bugatti, Specialty, Middle East

Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang edition - Click above for a hi-res gallery

When Bugatti rolled out the limited-edition Pur Sang edition of its Veyron at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, European customers snapped up all five before any American buyers could get their checkbooks out. As a result, Bugatti had to make the Sang Noir the following year and offer U.S. customers first crack at the limited run of fifteen. But for those who really wanted the original polished-aluminum and bare-carbon-fiber edition that kicked off the raft of special-edition Veyrons that followed, they may get that chance as one appears to have popped up for sale.

A premium car dealership in Abu Dhabi has posted an example of the Pur Sang for sale on its website. In all likelihood, this is the same example that was spotted on video a year ago and which showed up for the Top Gear photo shoot in good company a few months later. No word on price, or even confirmation that this is, indeed, a Pur Sang, but the website does allow you to place the order immediately. And if that doesn't tickle your fancy, they've got a Mansory Vincero up for grabs, too. Follow the link to check it out.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang for sale in Abu Dhabi

[Source: Prestige Cars via CarScoop]

Super-rare Supercar: Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang for sale in Abu Dhabi originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tattooed, chopped HUMMER H2 convertible spotted in - yep - Abu Dhabi

Noah Joseph — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:44:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Convertible, SUV, Etc., Hummer, Middle East

"Hello, Abu Dhabi? Yeah, this is Taste. I'm outta here." Well, you can't really blame Taste now can you? There's only so much abuse a sense can take, and the motorists of Abu Dhabi - the same gulf emirate that ordered up the gold-plated Rolls-Royce - have taken things one step too far. Several, actually.

Your eyes do not deceive you, and this is not available for rent to drive your kids to their homecoming. This custom HUMMER H2 convertible was spotted at the Emirates Palace Hotel, a location whose overdeveloped sense of opulence is rivaled only by the horrid monstrosity parked in front.

A topless HUMMER? Okay, the original H1 was available without a roof, but not with a seven-seat, red leather interior, a matching tribal pattern paint job, blistered wheel arches housing chrome wheels and what appears to be a hood scoop packed with a row of driving lights. You know, just in case someone could have missed this tooling around the streets of Abu Dhabi at night.

Gallery: HUMMER H2 Convertible

[Source: gtspirit.com via World Car Fans]

Continue reading Tattooed, chopped HUMMER H2 convertible spotted in - yep - Abu Dhabi

Tattooed, chopped HUMMER H2 convertible spotted in - yep - Abu Dhabi originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gold(finger's) Mercedes C63 spotted in... where else? Dubai

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Specialty

Click above for a high-res gallery of the gold C63

This United Arab Emirates-registered gold-mirror-finish Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG was caught at the Bling on Wheels Show, otherwise known as the valet area at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. While we have nothing untoward to say about someone who decks out his/her ride in any manner desired, we are always intrigued when someone looks to have spent the worth of a car - on top of the price of the car itself - on "beautification."

There is some debate as to whether this is a real paint job or a wrap, but parking your gold-wrapped C63 next to a genuinely chrome SLR would be shamefully ludicrous. A C63 AMG goes for about 300,000 AED (about $82,000 USD). Unless gold paint bubbles out of the ground as well, a liquid gold paint job has to cost a good portion of that. And all for a C63? Really? We won't ask whether it looks good... we'll just guide you to the gallery of high-res images below. Hat tip to AB reader Chad.

Gallery: Mercedes C63 in Dubai Gold

[Source: MB World]

Gold(finger's) Mercedes C63 spotted in... where else? Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE

Noah Joseph — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Specialty

Click to view the RR Phantom Peony edition in hi-res

Wealthy customers in the United Arab Emirates seem to have a penchant for special editions of the most expensive luxury saloons. As if it wasn't enough to get the Maybach Landaulet revealed right there on their home turn, one Arabian customer recently ordered a custom gilded Rolls-Royce Drophead. Now Rolls-Royce has followed up with a special edition of its Phantom limousine targeted specifically for the UAE.

Called the Peony edition, the bespoke Phantom borrows its name from the indigenous Asian flower that symbolizes royality in ancient Oriental culture. The car features a special two-tone pearl blue exterior and Seashell interior, emblazoned with the peony floral motif. It even comes with a complementary bottle of perfume specially crafted by Emirate fragrance specialist HIND. The special edition was created by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Program, which does the bulk of its business with Middle Eastern customers. No word on how many will be built or how much it costs, but if there was ever a case of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it", this is it.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Peony Edition

[Source: Motor Authority]

Rolls-Royce creates special Peony edition Phantom for UAE originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goodness Gracious: Top Gear magazine asks for a Veyron, gets three instead

Noah Joseph — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Bugatti

After the numerous reports we've brought you about the wealth of Bugatti Veyrons to be found in the United Arab Emirates, it should hardly come as any big surprise that when Top Gear magazine turned up in the capital Abu Dhabi, it had no trouble finding one for a photo shoot. In fact it didn't find just one, but three examples of the million-dollar supercar, with reclusive owners willing to hand over the keys to the British magazine.

Nor were these any run-of-the-mill Veyrons, either. Any true gearhead would know that the Veyron typically comes in two-tone paintjobs, but a few have left the factory in Molsheim with monotone tints, like the all-red example we reported on previously. That one, or one just like it, was one of the vehicles which the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority tracked down for TG, along with an all-white example and the extremely exclusive Pur Sang bare-aluminum-and-carbon edition spotted in the emirate previously. It's not every day that you see three Veyrons in the same place - let alone together with The Stig and, reportedly, a Koenigsegg CCX as well - but if it were to happen anywhere, the UAE seems to be the place. Thanks to all who tipped in!

[Source: PassatWorld]

Goodness Gracious: Top Gear magazine asks for a Veyron, gets three instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 May 2008 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Your oil dollars at work - $9.8 million license plate auction in the UAE

Dan Roth — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc., Lifestyle

While fuel prices continue to ratchet up and put a squeeze on all aspects of the world economy, times are flush within the borders of major oil producing nations. So flush, in fact, that several Emiratis found a total of 9.8 million dollars to indulge in low-number license plates at a recent auction. The fascination with distinctive tags is a world-wide phenomenon, but $926,000 for a plate that says "50G" is uniquely asinine. If that's what our last few fillups helped purchase, we're going to bike more.

[Source: Yahoo]

Your oil dollars at work - $9.8 million license plate auction in the UAE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 May 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti sales up 183 percent in UAE

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 May 2006 14:06:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Infiniti, Nissan, Earnings/Financials

Sales for Nissan's upscale Infiniti division in the United Arab Emirates skyrocketed in the first quarter, up 183 percent year-over year. Of course, total sales over the same period were just 552 units, but there's reason for optimism: sales have more than doubled each year for the past couple of years (the brand was re-launched in the region in 2004), and the advent of the new M in the marketplace is expected to continue the trend.

Check out the brand's Middle East website here.

[Sources: Gulf News; Infiniti]

Infiniti sales up 183 percent in UAE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 May 2006 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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