Motor Authority - blog Tag: Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is probably tired of Dubai always stealing the thunder as the star of the United Arab Emirates, but that may change with the construction of a F1 spec race track and a Ferrari-based theme park set to open in 2010.

Dubbed ‘Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’, the new holiday destination will be the world’s first Ferrari theme park and the largest attraction of its kind.

The theme park will feature an iconic sleek red roof that’s said to be directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 2,152,782 square feet and carrying the largest Ferrari logo ever created.

There will be a...

Abu Dhabi is probably tired of Dubai always stealing the thunder as the star of the United Arab Emirates, but that may change with the construction of a F1 spec race track and a Ferrari-based theme park set to open in 2010. Dubbed ‘Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’, the new holiday destination will be the world’s first Ferrari theme park and the largest attraction of its kind. The theme park will feature an iconic sleek red roof that’s said to be directly inspired by the classic double curve side profile of the Ferrari GT body, spanning 2,152,782 square feet and carrying the largest Ferrari logo ever created. There will be a number of attractions, including rides for children of all ages and the world’s fastest rollercoaster, travelling at speeds exceeding 124 mph. Another ride will rocket passengers through the roof and to a height of 203 feet to simulate the G-forces experienced by drivers in an F1 car. The site is located on Yas Island on the North East side of Abu Dhabi’s mainland, which is about a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 50 minutes from Yas Marina Circuit, which will host the inaugural Abu Dhabi GP later this year. [Ferrari] Read More

This ostentatious SUV is the latest work of German tuning outfit A.R.T. but it differs from most of the firm’s previous outlandish creations as it was developed specially at the request of the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG and output from the vehicle’s supercharged V8 engine has been boosted to a supercar-like 620hp.

The G is Mercedes’ utilitarian equivalent to the Hummer H2 or Toyota Land Cruiser and is hardly the type of vehicle in need of a supercar powerplant, but despite this A.R.T. deemed it necessary to boost the output of the already potent engine.

Aerodynamic components for... This ostentatious SUV is the latest work of German tuning outfit A.R.T. but it differs from most of the firm’s previous outlandish creations as it was developed specially at the request of the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. It is based on the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG and output from the vehicle’s supercharged V8 engine has been boosted to a supercar-like 620hp. The G is Mercedes’ utilitarian equivalent to the Hummer H2 or Toyota Land Cruiser and is hardly the type of vehicle in need of a supercar powerplant, but despite this A.R.T. deemed it necessary to boost the output of the already potent engine. Aerodynamic components for the front, side, rear, and roof, including the new hood lend the AS55K YAAS EDITION unique striking contours, and these are finished in carbon look to add a three-dimensional effect. This exterior with carbon parts was developed and manufactured on the wishes and in accordance with the decided suggestions of the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi. Numerous highly-polished stainless steel decorative elements also draw attention to the air vents and other predestined points on the car body. Other features include bi-xenon headlights, four fog lamps as add-ons, and six chrome-plated tailpipes for the exhaust. Inside, the center console and seats get a healthy dose of high quality leather and wood, as well as, you guessed it, more carbon. There is also an A.R.T steering wheel as well as a customized entertainment system.A.R.T. AS55K YAAS Edition Mercedes Benz G55 AMG Read More

Tie-ups between traditionally European brands and Middle Eastern investment firms are becoming increasingly common. Aston Martin's primary shareholder is the Kuwaiti firm Investment Dar, and Porsche is currently hammering out a deal with Qatar, but now Abu Dhabi investment firm Aabar has purchased 4% of Daimler's stake in American electric car company Tesla Motors as a precursor to future joint ventures.

The Reuters report of the deal indicates that the details of the future of the joint ventures are still under discussion, but statements from both Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Aabar chairman Khadem Al Qubaisi make it clear that there will... Tie-ups between traditionally European brands and Middle Eastern investment firms are becoming increasingly common. Aston Martin's primary shareholder is the Kuwaiti firm Investment Dar, and Porsche is currently hammering out a deal with Qatar, but now Abu Dhabi investment firm Aabar has purchased 4% of Daimler's stake in American electric car company Tesla Motors as a precursor to future joint ventures. The Reuters report of the deal indicates that the details of the future of the joint ventures are still under discussion, but statements from both Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Aabar chairman Khadem Al Qubaisi make it clear that there will be future cooperation. "We are pleased that Aabar is supporting us with the development of battery systems and electric powertrains, accelerating the worldwide commercialization of electric vehicles," said Zetsche. "There are a lot of things that we are discussing together, and we are trying to finalize a deal," said Al Qubaisi. Whatever the exact details end up being, expect it to take place in the rapidly emerging electric vehicles segment. Daimler's partnership with Tesla is expected to bear its first fruit in the form of the all-electric Smart ED soon, but after that, there's the potential for turning Tesla's electric technology into a broader segment, such as luxury sedans. The Aabar purchase of Daimler's stake follows on the March purchase of a 9.1% stake in Daimler itself, further underlining the joint venture future of the two companies. Read More

American carmakers aren’t the only ones in need of serious cash. Daimler AG was also in need of a quick injection of funds, but unlike its American counterparts the German auto giant has a number of investment groups lining up to acquire its shares. Top of the list is UAE’s Aabar Investments PJSC, which has now acquired a 9.1% stake in the firm.

To accommodate the acquisition, Daimler increased its stock by 10% by issuing an additional 96,408,000 shares. Aabar was then allowed to acquire all the new shares in a total investment of almost $2.7 billion, with existing shareholders excluded from the capital increase. The funds will... American carmakers aren’t the only ones in need of serious cash. Daimler AG was also in need of a quick injection of funds, but unlike its American counterparts the German auto giant has a number of investment groups lining up to acquire its shares. Top of the list is UAE’s Aabar Investments PJSC, which has now acquired a 9.1% stake in the firm. To accommodate the acquisition, Daimler increased its stock by 10% by issuing an additional 96,408,000 shares. Aabar was then allowed to acquire all the new shares in a total investment of almost $2.7 billion, with existing shareholders excluded from the capital increase. The funds will be used to help further develop a new generation of electric vehicles and advanced compound materials for lighter vehicle structures, as well as establish new engineering and training centers in Abu Dhabi. For those unfamiliar with Aabar, the firm is a financial group headquartered in Abu Dhabi that traditionally invests in the energy, infrastructure, real estate, financial and auto sectors. Its largest stakeholder is the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), which in turn is wholly owned by the UAE government. Incidentally, Aabar is the second major Arab investment group to buy shares in Daimler. The Kuwaiti government, which currently holds a 6.9% stake in the firm, has been buying Daimler shares since 1974. Read More

The Nissan GT-R may be known for blistering times around the Nurburgring that seem to defy the laws of physics given the car's weight and power levels, but now the Japanese supercar has conquered a new stretch of tarmac - this time a mountain road in the Middle East that Nissan in no uncertain terms claims is the "world's greatest driving road".

Superlatives aside, the seven kilometer Jebel Hafeet road is found on the outskirts of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Rising approximately 4,000 ft (1,219 m) above sea level, the road features 22 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending). The road scales the mountain and ends at... The Nissan GT-R may be known for blistering times around the Nurburgring that seem to defy the laws of physics given the car's weight and power levels, but now the Japanese supercar has conquered a new stretch of tarmac - this time a mountain road in the Middle East that Nissan in no uncertain terms claims is the "world's greatest driving road". Superlatives aside, the seven kilometer Jebel Hafeet road is found on the outskirts of Al Ain in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Rising approximately 4,000 ft (1,219 m) above sea level, the road features 22 corners and three lanes (two climbing and one descending). The road scales the mountain and ends at a scenic parking lot, passing a hotel and a palace on the way. A timed run of the road was completed in the Nissan GT-R by Middle Eastern rally driver Mohamed Ben Sulayem, who also happens to be the vice-president of the FIA. The seven kilometer twisting mountain pass was done away with in just 3 minutes and 39 seconds, but as it is the first officially recorded time on the Jebel Hafeet road there isn't much competition to compare it to. The run was done as part of a publicity stunt to increase interest in Nissan's halo car in the lucrative Middle East. The car is available in the Middle East through a number of 'Nissan High Performance Centers' designed especially for the company’s more performance oriented models.Nissan GT-R in depthNissan GT-R tackles the Jebel Hafeet Read More

Next year’s F1 calendar will see the introduction of Abu Dhabi as the location for the final race, with Brazil moving into the penultimate spot. Pictures of the track, which will be located on Yas Island and called the ‘Yas Marina Circuit’, were recently showcased to a number of F1 teams and officials, revealing a number of unique features planned for the site.

Some of the highlights will be a pit lane that runs below ground as well as a piece of track that runs below a hotel.

The actual circuit has been designed by Hermann Tilke, the same designer behind the often maligned Valencia track, as well as the Bahrain and... Next year’s F1 calendar will see the introduction of Abu Dhabi as the location for the final race, with Brazil moving into the penultimate spot. Pictures of the track, which will be located on Yas Island and called the ‘Yas Marina Circuit’, were recently showcased to a number of F1 teams and officials, revealing a number of unique features planned for the site. Some of the highlights will be a pit lane that runs below ground as well as a piece of track that runs below a hotel. The actual circuit has been designed by Hermann Tilke, the same designer behind the often maligned Valencia track, as well as the Bahrain and Sepang locations. The current plans have been criticized by commentators for lacking any elevation changes and failing to create ample opportunity for overtaking, although the impressively long back straight may be the location for some interesting skirmishes. It should feature a total of 20 turns, and be surrounded by a number of other tourist attractions to keep visitors coming when the F1 parade has left town. Also located on Yas Island will be the Ferrari World theme park, for which an F1-spec racetrack was also being considered but will likely no longer be necessary. Seating capacity will be limited to around 50,000, giving the impression that it is a little more exclusive than that of other GP events.Abu Dhabi F1 Track preview Read More