Category: Cars

The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has officially launched by Emirates Motor Company (EMC), the authorized general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Ushering in a new era of premium mobility, on the road performance and superior levels of technology.

Representing the highpoint of Mercedes-Benz’s legendary commitment to excellence and engineering expertise, the S-Class is where covetable luxury meets the highest possible levels of motoring innovation. To mark the launch of the S-Class at EMC, loyal customers were invited to a series of private lifestyle experiences, hosted within a private villa at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Attendees were offered the opportunity to experience the S-Class lifestyle across four distinctive areas, highlighting features of the new car: design, exterior, interior and technology. To showcase the different individualization options for the new S-Class, attendees also personalised their own perfumes and Arabic cups.

“As one of the most eagerly-awaited, desirable and impressive automobiles ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, we are thrilled to offer our customers the opportunity to experience the brand-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Emirates Motor Company (EMC) has proudly been the authorised distributor of Mercedes-Benz in the emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1962. As an established and trusted automotive brand, Mercedes-Benz and EMC have greatly contributed to the incredible growth of the UAE’s capital and the nation as a whole by helping to drive ambition and deliver excellence – two qualities that are epitomised by this latest S-Class model.

“The arrival of the brand-new S-Class is a cause for great excitement, with the state-of-the-art sedan sparking huge levels of interest among our clientele, both new and old, right across the emirate. The undisputed ‘best car in the world’ the S-Class is a welcome addition to the much-admired fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles available to customers at EMC. Both a thrill and a pleasure to drive, or be driven in, the S-Class takes innovation, comfort and quality to new and exciting levels,” says Lawrence Good, General Manager at Emirates Motor Company, Passenger Cars.

EQA is the name of the new entry-level model to the all-electric world of Mercedes-EQ vehicles. The electro-aesthetics of its design are indicative of the Progressive Luxury of the Mercedes-EQ brand. Smart assistants support the driver in many areas: for example with respect to accident avoidance, the anticipatory and therefore particularly efficient operating strategy, and Navigation with Electric Intelligence. In addition, the car features various exceptional Mercedes-Benz functions, such as MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The EQA is a member of the successful compact car family from Mercedes-Benz. A close relation of the GLA, it delivers all the thrilling characteristics of that vehicle, combined in this case with an efficient electric powertrain. The new EQA is being built in Rastatt (Germany) and Beijing (China). The battery systems for the EQA are supplied by the Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Accumotive in Kamenz. The battery factory in Jawor, Poland, is also preparing to produce battery systems for the compact Mercedes-EQ models.

“Mercedes-EQ aspires to take the lead in the field of electric drive systems and vehicle software. To this end, we have defined some ambitious product development goals and resolved to push forward with the accelerated market introduction of new technologies”, says Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG; responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO. “The new EQA allows us to show the way we envisage e-mobility as tailored to the needs of our customers. The EQA proves that, by using a tried and tested architecture, it is possible to achieve an excellent compromise between performance, costs and time to market.”

Striking a perfect balance between sportiness and sophistication that embodies the aspirations of customers in the region, the 2021 Lexus IS has been revealed in the UAE at an exclusive preview hosted by the brand’s local distributor – Al-Futtaim Automotive. Held last week at Al-Futtaim Lexus’ state-of-the-art center at Green Community, Dubai Investment Park (DIP), the event was attended by Lexus customers, Lexus F Club Members , UAE car enthusiasts, media personnel and social influencers, who witnessed the reveal of the new 2021 Lexus IS in its three distinct versions – Lexus IS 300 Premier, Lexus IS 350 F Sport Prestige and Lexus IS 350 F Sport Platinum.

The first member of the Bentley Mulliner Coachbuilt portfolio – the Bacalar – has started its final test, development and durability work ahead of the build of 12 pre-sold customer cars due to start build next year.

Bacalar Car Zero, a purpose-built engineering prototype and the first barchetta-style Bentley of the modern era, is already accumulating mileage and passing crucial quality tests at a variety of locations around Europe.

The on-car validation programmes have been condensed into an extremely busy schedule covering 20 weeks. So far, the car has completed wind tunnel-based aerodynamic assessment, high speed stability and top speed testing, handling and dynamics evaluations, appraisal of noise and vibration, and careful thermal measurements. The car now enters a period of ongoing customer-focused mileage accumulation and durability work, before a phase of climate cycle testing up to 80 °C and an intensive electrical system validation.

All of this work is vital to sign-off the new and bespoke nature of the Bacalar – the car includes a total of more than 750 new components, all of which have to pass Bentley’s exceptionally stringent quality, functionality and durability standards. More than 40 of those parts are crafted in carbon fibre, while a complement of nearly 100 are produced using rapid additive manufacture techniques.

Bentley’s Director of Mulliner, Paul Williams, comments: “Very much like Blower Car Zero that we unveiled last week, Bacalar Car Zero is the crucial prototype that we’re using to sign-off the design, engineering and craftsmanship of this ground-breaking part of Bentley Mulliner’s future. The Bacalar is a thoroughly modern iteration of the coachbuilt Bentleys of the past – extremely rare, entirely hand-crafted, totally bespoke to each customer and exquisite in its details. The whole team behind the car is thrilled to see the prototype shrugging off every test we throw at it, and we’re really looking forward to starting the build of the 12 customer cars.”

The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar

Just 12 examples of this striking, limited edition model are being created, guaranteeing rarity and exclusivity, and offering supreme luxury and breath-taking performance. Bacalar looks to the future of bespoke luxury motoring – each model will be handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe, according to the individual customer’s personal.

This exceptionally rare car is appropriately named after Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty, continuing Bentley’s strategy of naming cars after remarkable landmarks which started with Bentayga in 2015.

Bacalar has been brought to life by Bentley Mulliner, reviving its specialism in providing rare coach-built cars to only a few discerning customers. A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, embracing a myriad of options and materials, each Bacalar will be truly unique, the result of direct interaction between the Bentley Mulliner design team and the individual customer.

The 15 striking Pikes Peak Continental GT by Mulliner limited edition cars have made their way around the world to their new owners. Celebrating Bentley’s record-breaking run up the world-renowned Pikes Peak course in Colorado, USA, this unique and exclusive run has already sold out, with buyers across four different continents testament to its truly global appeal.

The Pikes Peak Continental GT Limited Edition is part of Bentley Mulliner’s new ‘Collections’ portfolio and is restricted to just 15 vehicles, hand-built at Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, England.

Owners are spread around the world, in locations as far apart as Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, New Zealand, Latvia and the United Kingdom. Five of the new owners come from the USA, home to the world-renowned course in Colorado, with cars arriving across the country – from New York (Manhattan), to Florida (Fort Lauderdale), to Michigan (Troy), California (Rancho Mirage) and Nebraska (Omaha).

Eighteen months ago, a race-prepared version of a standard W12-powered Continental GT beat the coveted time for a production car by more than eight seconds, climbing almost 5,000 ft through Pikes Peak’s 156 bends in just 10 minutes, 18.4 seconds. The world’s finest Grand Tourer was driven on that occasion by three-time Pikes Peak champion, former ‘King of the Mountain’, Rhys Millen.

To match the look of the record-breaking car, a third of customers have opted for the Mountain Decal Event Livery for their Limited Edition Continental GTs, whilst three owners have chosen a subtle gloss black exterior paint finish.

All 15 Pikes Peak Continental GT by Mulliner cars honour Bentley’s achievements on the world’s most demanding hill climb. Bentley first achieved the record for fastest production SUV with the Bentayga in 2018, and then the outright production car record with the Continental GT the following year.

Since the market launch in 2015, around 60,000 examples of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class have been delivered worldwide. In 2019, with around 12,000 units, more Mercedes-Maybach S Class cars were sold than ever before. The growth rate in China was in double figures. Alongside China, the main sales markets in recent years have been Russia, South Korea, the USA and Germany. The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is set to continue this success story. It combines the perfection and high-tech solutions of the only recently presented Mercedes-Benz flagship model with the exclusivity and tradition of Maybach. The wheelbase is 18 cm longer compared to the long variant of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which entirely benefits the rear. Thanks to Executive Seats as standard and the Chauffeur package, the rear section becomes a comfortable working or resting area. They are complemented by exclusive details such as large areas of trim on the rear of the front seats and between the two rear passengers. In a number of markets, sales of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will commence before the end of this year. For the Middle East, production of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will begin in June and the first customers will receive their vehicles in August 2021.

The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class (length/width/height: 5469/1921/1510 millimetres) is a classic three-box sedan. Distinguishing features at the front include the distinctive bonnet with a chromed fin and the Mercedes-Maybach radiator grille. This is highly recognisable by its vertical, three-dimensional trim strips. The word mark MAYBACH is elegantly integrated into the chrome surround of the grille. The rear doors are wider than those of the brother models, and the C-pillars feature a fixed quarterlight. Exclusivity is emphasised by the Maybach brand logo on the C-pillar. On request, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be equipped with electrically operated comfort rear doors.

The exclusive appearance of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class can be enhanced, on request, by a two-tone paint finish with dividing line. This is applied by hand according to the highest quality criteria. The revolutionary headlamp technology DIGITAL LIGHT is optionally available. This allows new functions, such as the projection of guidelines or warning symbols onto the road ahead. In each headlamp, DIGITAL LIGHT has a light module with three extremely powerful LEDs with light that is refracted and directed by 1.3 million micro-mirrors.

 Bentley is offering a ground-breaking new Three-Dimensional Wood rear door trim for the first time for the all-new Flying Spur. Three-Dimensional Wood is a world-first for the automotive sector – a striking, diamond-shaped pattern enhanced with a three-dimensional surface finish machined directly into the wood.

The new option is one of the unique veneer choices from the Bentley Mulliner ‘Collections’ and forms a contemporary luxury design statement, bringing tactility to the natural beauty of wood. Each rear door and quarter panel is handcrafted from a single block of sustainable American Walnut or American Cherry timber, in a harmonious marriage of traditional skills and modern technology.

The concept for 3D-machined wood was first shown in Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2015, and received wide acclaim. The distinctive feature was inspired by the form of leather used for the diamond-quilted areas in Bentley’s Mulliner Driving Specification interior suite. Three-Dimensional Wood required 18 months of production development by expert technical craftsmen before Bentley Mulliner could then bring the complex concept to reality.

The Three-Dimensional Wood parts are not made using veneers, as is typically applied to the fascia and waist rails. Instead, each is created from a single block of timber. To achieve the three-dimensional surface, skilled operators carve the wood with a multi-axis routing machine to a tolerance of 0.1mm, less than the thickness of a human hair, hand-finishing the cuts for perfect results. An open-pore lacquer is then applied, allowing the true colour and texture of the wood to shine through for a refined, natural appearance.

Bentley’s Head of Interior Design for the Flying Spur, Brett Boydell, comments:

“Three-Dimensional Wood is the next interior design element we’ve taken from concept car idea to production reality. It works in perfect harmony with the three-dimensional leather quilting across the cabin of the Flying Spur and creates an even more special environment for those being driven.

“The principle of milling a geometric three-dimensional diamond form into solid wood was so well received at Geneva, it confirmed the value in translating the concept into reality for the customers of Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur.”

The back or ‘B surface’ of the log is machined to match a die cast aluminium door panel template. The timber is then bonded to the template before the assembly is placed back into the machine and the front or ‘A surface’ is cut into its three-dimensional form.

Lights up, cameras on, and sound rolling, INFINITI today launched the all-new QX55 SUV via a one-of-a-kind streaming concert experience from Los Angeles. The INFINITI QX55 is the spiritual successor to another one-of-a-kind moment: the INFINITI FX. Like its predecessor, the QX55’s daring roofline and unapologetic shape are in tune with equally bold buyers; the QX55 doesn’t have something for all people — it aims to be everything to some people.  

“The new INFINITI QX55 is a statement-maker, designed to deliver first-class comfort and stand out everywhere it goes. It’s a unique fusion of style and substance” said INFINITI Chairman Peyman Kargar. 

The show-stealing QX55 was unveiled by global superstar Aloe Blacc, whose music connects to INFINITI with its verve and unmistakable sound. Known for his standout hits, “The Man,” “Wake Me Up,” and “I Need A Dollar,” Blacc’s performance set the table for a new era of exciting vehicle reveals. Blacc’s performance in the iconic Belasco Theater in Los Angeles married to immersive discussions with Senior Vice President of Global Design Alfonso Albaisa and INFINITI’s General Manager, Product Strategy and Planning Eric Rigaux in Tokyo, and brand chief Kargar’s introduction to the star-studded night, produced with Live Nation.  

“The all-new INFINITI QX55 is classy. It just looks sleek, and it feels like it’s quality. Ultimately, the only thing I ever want to engage with is quality. From the musicians that I pick, to the food that I eat, to the car that I drive. I like to know that something is crafted with intention and purpose and that there’s quality behind every measure of it,” Blacc said. 

The QX55’s design retains all of INFINITI’s daring design hallmarks, delivering a fresh interpretation of the FX silhouette. The QX55 inserts INFINITI back into a category it helped to create with an unapologetic style. The signature double-arch grille is complemented by a stunning, origami-inspired mesh pattern that delivers visual depth and showcases modern Japanese-inspired artistry. Flanked by standard LED headlights that mimic the human eye, the QX55 announces its arrival in style.  

Along the body sides, the QX55’s alluring profile has plenty to say but doesn’t speak out of turn. The elegant and flowing lines reach from the hood, over the front fenders, across the doors, and over the rear wheels. Twenty-inch wheels are standard on all QX55 models, which fill the wheel arches and assert the SUV’s dynamic presence.

Nissan  unveiled the all-new Nissan X-Terra 2021, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the Middle East.

The launch of the all-new Nissan X-Terra represents a new addition to the lineup in the region, bolstering the brand’s extensive SUV portfolio, while also addressing customer demands in the rapidly growing D-SUV segment. It also takes forward the Nissan Next transformation journey, which began earlier this year with the global launch of the Nissan Ariya and continued with the unveil of the Nissan Z Proto in September.

Unveiled in a virtual event, the tough yet sophisticated Nissan X-Terra* represents 70 years of SUV expertise. It promises to be an ideal partner for customers seeking a reliable partner for both everyday commuting and exciting outdoor adventures.

Powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the all-new Nissan X-Terra delivers a robust four-wheel-drive experience with features including four-wheel lock, brake limited slip differential and electronic locking rear differential.

Underlining this bold new design, breakthrough engineering and a suite of advanced Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, the all-new X-Terra offers impressive strength, driving capabilities and adventure-ready confidence for drivers to go ‘beyond boundaries’ and explore new places.

Available on the vehicle’s Platinum grade are Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Driver Alertness and Intelligent Emergency Braking.

Developed in line with Nissan’s ‘unbreakable’ frame vehicle design philosophy, the all-new X-Terra offers the right combination of solidity with sleek and modern execution. The front resembles the iconic Nissan Patrol with the powerful new V-motion grille, whose thick frame contrasts with the refined horizontal chrome bars within.

The overall image is rugged and imposing, with added expressions of sophistication and technology. The C-shaped LED signature headlamps, similar to those on the Patrol, have evolved and have been interpreted in a new way on the all-new X-Terra to convey a high-tech impression.

Inside, the instrument panel has a full-width horizontal design, with its movement stretching from door to door to emphasize the spaciousness of the cabin. The shapes are bold and strong, yet finished in comfortable soft-touch materials. The 9-inch intuitive touch-screen display screen dominates the center, adding enhanced sophistication.

The all-new X-Terra delivers best-in-class ride comfort thanks to Zero Gravity seats in the front and second row. Meanwhile, significant noise reduction efforts around the engine compartment and the use of acoustic glass on both the windshield and side windows help create a relaxed and quiet cabin setting for all occupants.

The all-new Nissan X-Terra will be available in seven exterior colors, including bright brown and burgundy. The upscale exterior is matched with premium black and light grey interior colors that add to the richness of the vehicle.

The all-new Nissan X-Terra 2021 will go on sale from December 2020 at Nissan showrooms across the Middle East.

A vision is turning into reality, as the BMW Vision iNEXT becomes the BMW iX. With a year still to go before its market launch at the end of 2021, the BMW Group is providing a first look ahead to the future BMW iX, which is currently still in the series development phase. The BMW iX is the first model based on a new, modular, scalable future toolkit developed by the BMW Group and focused on a fresh interpretation of design, sustainability, driving pleasure, versatility and luxury. Conceived from the outset for purely electric mobility, the iX sees BMW redefining the successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept. With its completely newly developed, precise and minimalist design, the BMW iX is the first representative of a trailblazing generation of cars poised to redefine the driving experience, the feeling of space inside and the relationship between vehicles and those on board.

The BMW iX harnesses the latest innovations in the fields of electrification, automated driving and connectivity to deliver a mobility experience which puts people more than ever at its heart. To this end, its design has been developed from the inside out. The BMW iX has been created to provide quality of life and wellbeing for drivers and passengers. The clear and minimalist design

of its exterior showcases a new form of mobility geared squarely to the needs of the vehicle’s occupants. Its interior offers those on board innovative options for using the time during a journey – and enjoying relaxation, safety, security, and a new form of luxury in the process.