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28 March 2024

The show must go on

Shelby supercars SSC Ultimate Aero. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Dominic Vogan

Although a proportion of the floor space for this year's Abu Dhabi Motor Show (ADMS) will remain vacant, with several global car manufacturers economising on their stand, there is still a great deal on the show – and visitors to the capital will not be disappointed.

Those who decide to make their way to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from Wednesday until December 21 will see several regional firsts as well as many new models such as the Mitsubishi Evo X and Eclipse or Honda Jazz, which have only just arrived in the GCC, as well as vehicles that you simply do not see everyday.

In the line up of premieres is the Ferrari California – the Italian marque's first front-mounted V8 sportscar. Then there's Mercedes-Benz's S400 BlueHybrid – the manufacturer's, as well as the very first, production hybrid luxury sedan.

Retro styling is also making a comeback in the shape of the all-new Dodge Challenger SRT-8 and the Chevrolet Camaro 2010 – both big muscle car competitors of the 1970s and 1980s. Now they go head-to-head once again in their new 21st century apparel.

Chevrolet is making ADMS something of a multiple whammy with the Camaro heading the field closely followed by the new Cruze small four-door sedan, the Cadillac CTS-V, which is the world's fastest production V8 sedan, the Hummer H3T pick-up, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Cadillac Escalade Platinum and the Traverse 3.6-litre V6 crossover.

Staying with crossovers, the new Lexus RX350 will make its debut as will the angular Volvo XC60 compact crossover. In the SUV arena, Kia will showcase Mohave.

The Korean presence will also be felt with Hyundai's new luxury sedan, the Genesis, which is set to compete with many premium brands, while the Lincoln MKS is Ford's latest impressive addition to its executive brand.

Anyone looking for something unique should keep an eye out for the PGO stand and its new Hemera two-door hatchback which looks like nothing else at the show.

And for spectacle, there's the Shelby Supercars (SSC) ultimate Aero – officially the fastest production car in the world today.

In the world of concepts, Toyota will give visitors the opportunity to see its rugged hybrid 4x4 pick-up, the A-BAT as well as the ultra-compact iQ, one of the world's smallest four-passenger cars.

And making its UAE preview will be the impressive new Sequoia, which will be launched here next year.

Here's what visitors to the show can expect to see.


SHELBY SUPERCARS SSC ULTIMATE AERO

As the Guinness Book of World Record's official "fastest production car in the world", the Ultimate Aero's 6.3-litre twin turbo V8 powerplant is capable of a three second 0-100kph time and a top speed of 414kph. The carbon fibre composite and steel spaceframe is extremely lightweight: the entire body minus doors, boot and bonnet weighs 59kg. This is a car inspired from the circuit and ready to race on it, but with the comforts and safety equipment of a luxury sedan.

FERRARI CALIFORNIA

The Prancing Horse is breaking the mould with this stunningly beautiful V8 drop-top coupe. A 460bhp 4.3-litre engine kicks out 485Nm and pulls the California to 100kph in less than four seconds and will reach full gallop at more than 300kph.

A dual clutch transmission and F1-style paddleshift ensures seamless instant gear changes to complement the smooth and luxurious interior as well as unique exterior styling.

MERCEDES S400 BLUEHYBRID

This is Mercedes' first outing into hybrid technology and is unique due to the compact nature of both the rotor magneto motor and battery, which is a modular unit small enough to fit the standard battery case. The magneto motor is a slimline rotating disc, which sits inside the torque converter housing, resulting in minor structural or mechanical changes avoiding a compromise on the performance and luxury of the S class. It gives the 3.5-litre V6 an extra 35Nm of torque, which takes it to 100kph in 7.2 seconds and a fuel economy of just over nine litres per 100km.

DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8

GM is not going to have everything its own way in the muscle car arena. The 6.1-litre V8 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is going to give the Camaro a run for its money with an output of 425bhp and 570Nm of torque.

Looking very much like its 2006 concept shown in Detroit, the Challenger has retained its dynamic lines and sharp-edged creases, and has incorporated a raft of technologies to make the 0-100kph time of five seconds and the 290kph top speed that much safer to attain, including advanced multi-stage airbags, all-speed traction control, ABS, brake assist, ESP, energy-absorbing steering column, and Enhanced Accident Response System (Ears).

CHEVY

CHEVY CAMARO 2010

This is GM's 2009 Camaro muscle car – its response to Ford's 2005 Mustang (although it is already touting a 2010 update).

The Camaro is one of several retro-styled coupés about to hit the market replete with 21st century technology. At the moment engine options are provisional with two currently on offer – a 3.6-litre V6 with direct injection and a 6.2-litre 422bhp V8 – however, GM has not ruled out introducing more economical turbocharged four cylinder units. There is also the suggestion that there could also be an ultra-performance Z28 version in 2011, which would use a version of the supercharged 6.2-litre "LSA" V8 from the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V with around 480-500bhp.

CHEVY CRUZE AND MALIBU

These are GM's latest offerings in the mid-size sedan segment and both are set to be popular choices because of their tidy, dynamic and premium quality design and finish. The Cruze will be available with an Ecotech 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre engine, both with variable valve timing for improved fuel efficiency.

It will also feature GM's first use of a six-speed automatic in this segment, as well as a five-speed manual gearbox. Meanwhile, the Malibu will be offered with a 2.4-litre or 3.6-litre V6 engine and either a four-speed auto or six-speed automatic transmission.

CHEVY TRAVERSE

Another GM entry to the GCC market is in the evermore competitive crossover segment. The Traverse, which replaces the tired-looking Trailblazer, features GM's direct injection Lambda 3.6-litre V6 and is built on the same platform as the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook. With a durable and stylish interior and three rows of seats, the Traverse is surprisingly 76mm longer than the Tahoe and has 198 litres more storage space. Only time will tell if the Traverse will aid GM's rescue or not, but it will appeal to buyers in this region.

PGO CEVENNE AND HEMERA

French bespoke car manufacturer PGO exhibits, for the first time in Abu Dhabi its Cevenne and Speedster convertibles and the Hemera hatchback. All cars feature two-litre mid-mounted Peugeot engines mated to five-speed manual gearboxes capable of 0-100kph in less than seven seconds and a top speed of 200kph. At just 980kg, the PGOs are nippy little cars with no shortage of style thanks to their leather interior and aluminium decorative elements.

LEXUS RX350

Now that the RX has been around for a few years, this facelifted 2009 model is a breath of fresh air. Subtle exterior design improvements include sharper edges primarily around the headlight clusters and a more chiselled rear end. The interior has come into the 21st century with sweeping and intertwining lines around the front fascia and door panels.

In terms of technological advancements the RX still uses the 3.5-litre V6 but comes with a new six-speed sequential automatic and improved suspension architecture. As ever with Lexus, safety features are extensive and include a pre-collision system and 10 airbags as standard.

HYUNDAI GENESIS

Premium manufacturers had better keep an eye on Hyundai because it is closing the gap when it comes to quality build, performance, equipment and value for money. And the Genesis is an example of just how close it is getting. With a 3.8-litre V6 or 4.6-litre V8, continuously variable valve timing and a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox with Shifttronic mode, the Genesis is extremely well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, Lexicon 14-speaker surround sound audio, power rear sunshade, power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, ESP, traction control, ABS with brake assist, eight airbags and proximity entry with electric push-button start.

VOLVO XC60

The Swedish carmaker is breaking the reputation of producing staid vehicles, first with its C30 and now with the dynamic XC60 crossover. As well as being possibly the best-looking SUV on the market, Volvo also claims it is the safest. A 3.0-litre turbocharged T6 petrol engine offers 400Nm of torque through a six-speed geartronic transmission for very impressive performance. Not forgetting the extensive passive and active safety features throughout.