The Best of the Dubai International Motor Show
Here's everything that had us talking in the desert
Dubai is an international city of extremes, and some of that appreciation has carried over into the Dubai International Motor Show. In recent years, despite the Middle East becoming an increasingly important market for the upper end of the auto industry, DIMS has been a relatively minor affair, though that’s likely to change from what we’ve seen this week. While a famously golden hue shines over everything in the desert city, we found a little gold inside the Dubai Trade Center, as well. Here are the most interesting things from this year’s show:
2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
It’s simply the most powerful, fastest Corvette ever. The 2019 ZR1 was long rumored, and the freshly debuted American supercar serves as a fitting way to send off Chevy’s seventh-gen ‘Vette. Powered by the supercharged 6.2-liter LT5 engine, the ZR1 makes is capable of a crushing 755 horsepower, and 715 lb.-ft of torque. Boasting a top speed of more than 210 mph, this will easily be the fastest Corvette yet.
Two wind-tunnel honed aerodynamic packages—including the ZTK performance pack—are available. That one affixes a massive wing that is as much about function as it is show. The wing is capable of producing about 950 pounds of downforce, says Chevy. The ZTK performance pack adds other goodies too, in the form of a enhanced front splitter, Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tires, and unique chassis tuning.
The orange color you see in the image is part of the Sebring Orange Design Package. In addition to the exterior paint, the treatment goes on the brake calipers, splitter, the seat belts, and stitching. It looks great in person. The ZR1 will go on sale in the U.S. and other markets this coming spring, look for a starting price to just break into the six figures.
2018 Infiniti QX80
Dubai as it turns out, is the perfect place to debut Infiniti’s updated, plush bruiser. Gas is cheap, and people in the region love to take their SUVs off-road. Interest for the Japanese automaker’s flagship SUV is naturally high here. For 2019 the SUV gets a more taught, modern aesthetic. Alfonso Albaisa, design director for the Nissan Group—parent of Infiniti—says the brand is harmonizing the balance between lust and logic. That translates into a slightly less bulbous, more sharp look. The headlights are smaller, get raised significantly, and anchor the front end. The lower intakes are also more broad. There are new wheels designs, new running boards, and the rear end gets a revised, sharper look too.
The interior gets enhanced with some light, but positive changes. Rear screens are now an inch bigger, there’s new stitching, the storage areas and cupholders have received a makeover, and new material and color options keep things fresh. Infiniti has kept the gratifying 5.6-liter V8, good for 400 hp and 413 lb.-ft of torque. The more confident QX80 will hit dealerships next month.
Devel Sixteen
Welcome to Absurdistan. The Devel’s striking proportions and gorgeous looks stopped me in my tracks. I asked people at the booth for some details. “Ah, 5,000 horsepower.” I laughed at this, but I seemed to be the only one that found it supremely amusing. 5,000? I asked. “Actually, 5,007. Even more than 5,000.” For perspective, the Bugatti Chiron tops out at nearly 1,500 horsepower. And while a lot of people have been throwing out some pretty wild figures lately, the Bugattis and Koenigseggs of the world are putting some serious research, and actually delivering with production cars. The kind you can actually buy and—under the proper conditions—do absurd things with.
The Devel crew say they are serious about making a line of Devel Sixteen hypercars, for what it’s worth. Powered by a Steve Morris-built V16 engine, the 5,000-ponied car will be for drag racing only. A 3,000 hp version will supposedly be available as a hypercar, and a twin-turbo V8 version will produce a modest 2,000 horses. While the show models have been built and designed in Dubai, the production cars are to be produced in Italy. The V8 is said to be on sale in 15 months, starting at $1.6 million. And that drag racer? $2.1 million, and two years. We wouldn’t hold our breath waiting for these cars to drop, but they certainly will turn heads if they ever make it to the streets.
Dubai Police Rolls-Royce Wraith and Fleet
The Dubai Police are famous for having a separate fleet of exotic and extremely alluring cars. On prominent display at their stand was one of their latest, a police-outfitted Rolls-Royce Wraith. The Wraith is one of “16 or 17 cars” currently in the fancier fleet. There’s also a Brabus 700 G-Class, a GT-R 35, two BMW i8s, a McLaren 570S and 720S, Mercedes-Benz GTS, Bentley GT Continental, Ferrari FF, and a Mercedes SLS. For off-road purposes the Dubai police bash the dunes in style in a GMC Sierra, and a Ford Raptor.
Only a unit of 15 police are allowed to drive these vehicles, and they get to push them on track. Manufacturers come to the testing facilities and also teach them about new features. The idea is that they can familiarize themselves with the cars unique features. Also, this way they won’t be tempted to see what the cars can do on the street, in theory. While these are of the more exotic variety, with 25,000 active police officers, they naturally have more pedestrian vehicles as well. Those include cars like the Nissan Patrol (Armada in the U.S.), Dodge Challenger, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Q7, Chevy Tahoe, and more. Yes, law enforcement of the world, you’re allowed to be envious.
MSO McLaren 720S
While not debuting an all-new model, McLaren did want to bring a little something special to Dubai. This special one-off is a Performance trim 720S, meaning it has the Exterior Carbon Fibre Pack 1, with carbon fiber applications on the hood air intakes, side mirrors, and rear fender. McLaren’s special custom group MSO added addition carbon fiber in several other places. All of this is to complement gold colored alloy wheels (a Dubai special if there ever was one), gold lettering, and a 24-karat-gold heat shield.
As a special ode to the city of Dubai, McLaren painted an interpretation of the Dubai skyline on the rear deck lid, but it’s cleverly shaped into arabic letters as well. The letters form a Bruce McLaren quote, “life is measured in achievement, not in years alone.”
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