Bond cars spice up Dubai Motor Show

Dubai - 18 global, 139 regional launches, plus Spectre cars at Dubai International Motor Show.

The 13th edition of the Dubai International Motor Show witnessed 18 global launches and 139 regional reveals including 16 concept cars.
Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, officially opened the five-day event at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Only shining cars come to the motor show every year but this time damaged cars are also part of more than 600 vehicles on display. Cars used in the latest James Bond movie, Spectre, are on display, which include a Range Rover Sport SVR, a Jaguar C-X75 and a Land Rover Defender Bigfoot. Aston Martin also flew in its DB10, which Agent 007 used in the movie.
Making its global Dubai International Motor Show debut is the new Toyota Land Cruiser that has long been a staple product in the UAE car market and has gained massive interest during the opening day. Similarly, queues have been forming around the all-new Cadillac XT5 Crossover SUV after it made its world debut on the stand earlier on Tuesday and is the first Cadillac ever to be launched to globally outside of the United States.
Felix Weller, managing director of Cadillac Middle East, said: "The Cadillac XT5 will be a cornerstone product and plays a key role in our brand's expansion."
General Motors also presented regional reveals for the 2016 Chevrolet Camaro and Silverado, while other regional debuts included Audi's V10 supercar, the R8 which sits alongside its RS3 hot hatch. The silk cover was whisked off the new Range Rover SVR for the first time on Tuesday morning, and the all-new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe was rushed in direct from its global media preview just a week earlier in Spain.
Among the 16 concept cars, Maserati unveiled its styling theme of the future with the svelte 2+2 Alfieri sports car that gives away more than a hint as to how its next generation of GT Coupes will look.
Bentley's stand proved another major drawcard on day one with the first Middle East showing off its most important release for the region to date - the unveiling of the Bentayga SUV has shifted the industry's goalposts in terms of ultimate luxury in an off-road vehicle.
Neil Wilford, regional manager, for the Middle East, India and Africa at Bentley Motors said: "The new Bentley Bentayga SUV has been eagerly awaited by customers across the globe but even more in this region."
Al Majid Motors, the sole distributor for Kia cars in the UAE, is to launch All-New Kia Optima at the show. The fourth-generation Optima, which made its premiere at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, is expected to increase Kia's regional market share in the competitive D-segment.
"The... show represents the perfect platform for us to launch the new Optima, with the latest generation of brand's popular sedan offering even greater refinement, improved ride and handling and a higher standard of appointments and features," said Mohammed Khader, president of Al Majid Motors - Kia.
The show not only previews the newest cars but also motorcycles, light commercial vehicles, and the tuning and after-market sectors with plenty of action continuing outside from Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover who are hosting interactive driving experiences with a special appearance of the simulator of the Bloodhound SSC that's aiming to break the world land speed record above 1,000mph.
Jin Kim, vice-president and head of operations for Hyundai Africa and Middle East, said: "At the Dubai International Motor show we have debuted two key models. Firstly the All-New Elantra, which follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by setting new standards and offering the world's best technology packaged in the body of a world-class compact-size sedan. And secondly the Creta, which is set to offer striking looks, competitive performance and a robust build at an affordable price."
abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com