A major UAE investor is behind the release of a new Soviet-inspired luxury car from the state-owned Russian car manufacturer Aurus. UAE based Tawazun Holdings has put up 460m AED in the development of the vehicle, with the hope that they can make inroads into the luxury car market in the UAE.

A glamorous presentation was delivered at the Moscow motor show, with audiences getting a first look at the Aurus Senat sedan and the luxury Aurus Senat limousine.

The designers of the new vehicles took inspiration from the Russian-made ceremonial cars that leaders of the Soviet Union appeared in at high profile events. At the time, the luxury vehicles that have inspired the new cars were only manufactured for high ranking officials.

Vadim Pereverzev, the head of the design team, claimed the car manufacturer is hoping to make inroads into the share of the market that is currently occupied by Rolls Royce and Mercedes-Benz.

The announcement from Aurus comes only days after the arms manufacturer Kalashnikov made waves with its announcement of a new electric car with a retro Soviet-inspired design.

The design of the Aurus Limousine, featuring a very large front chrome grille, has been influenced by the ZIS luxury vehicle that was made specifically for Stalin.

The Russian state enterprise NAMI, the major stakeholder in Aurus, has worked with Russian automotive giant Sollers to design and manufacture the new vehicles. Funding for the project from the Russian taxpayers has reached around 12 billion roubles.

Aureus has initially targeted wealthy Russian citizens, but is hoping to compete with western luxury vehicles in the international market.

The price of the vehicles have yet to be announced, but is believed to be slightly more expensive than Mercedes-Benz and cheaper than Rolls Royce.

Tawazun Holdings was created in 2007 and is based in Abu Dhabi. The company was founded to forge strategic industrial partnerships and investments to help improve the manufacturing industry in the UAE. The focus of the company is spread across the automotive, defence, technology, and the aerospace industries.

The iconic British luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin Lagonda has launched a new showroom in Abu Dhabi. The unveiling of the dealership was witnessed by royalty as His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan was present.

The opening of the dealership was timed to coincide with the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that that took place over the 22nd to the 25th of November. Aston Martin wings were featured on all of the Red Bull Racing cars that took part in the race.

Located in the Etihad Towers, the site of the new showroom spans 521 sqm and features eight iconic Aston Martin cars, including a DB11, a state-of-the-art DBS Superleggera, and an Aston Martin Red Bull Racing car.

While the new dealership is only half the size of the world’s largest Aston Martin showroom located in Tokyo, Japan, it is still plenty big enough for customers to get a close up view of the vehicles. The new site is equipped with a ‘Q by Aston Martin’ lounge that enables customers to personalise and design there own Aston Martin when making a purchase.

The grand opening of the dealership featured an evening event, allowing attendees the opportunity to get up close and get a good look at the iconic motors on display. Senior management were in attendance, including Aston Martin’s vice president and chief of special operations David King, and Dan Balmer, the president of Aston Martin Lagonda in the Middle East, Turkey, and North Africa.

The unveiling of the flagship dealership in Abu Dhabi is a statement of intent from the luxury car manufacturer. Aston Martin now has 14 showrooms in the Middle East, with the latest unveiling giving car lovers the opportunity to purchase their next Aston Martin in the prestigious Etihad Towers.

The Gulf 12 hour race took place over the 13th to the 15th of December and featured three racing teams that were made up of Aston Martin car owners. The race at Yas Marina Circuit was the first time the newly released Aston Martin Vantage GT3 had been viewed in the Middle East.

Compact crossovers are becoming a highly popular segment throughout the world, but particularly in the UAE. The reasons for that are fairly obvious – they offer an elevated driving position, a little more rear/storage room, and a more sure-footed drive. All in a package that’s not much larger than a standard hatchback.

It’s no wonder then that they’re so popular. Lexus has dipped their toe into the compact crossover market with the highly-praised and recently released NX200. Lexus cars are known for their exceptional quality – is the NX200 fit to carry that mantle?

Attractive, modern design

The NX200 has been designed by Chika Kako, the Executive Vice President of Lexus International, and it certainly sports a unique look. Lexus in recent years have taken on a more angular, aggressive appearance and the NX200 is no different – build on Lexus’ Global Compact Architecture platform.

120 LEDs form the light bar which dominates the rear portion of the NX200, which seeks to provide a distinctive brush of Lexus. This means it will be easy to differentiate from the competition. Its relatively compact dimensions mean it will also be easy to park.

The NX200 has 13 exterior colours available, of which 2 are F-Sport trim exclusive. It includes 3 brand new colours – Celestial Blue Glass Flake, Blazing Carnelian Contrast Layering, and Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic.

2 new colour options join the interior specification, Cobalt and White Ash, making for eight in total. This includes the exclusive Flare Red.

The power

Lexus cars are generally designed for reliability and smoothness rather than outright performance, and that seems to be the case with the NX200. A four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine will provide the power.

This is connected to the wheels via a new D-CVT (Direct-Shift Continuously Variable Transmission) which has 10 speeds. This should provide improvements in both overall fuel economy and comfort when touring long distances.

The NX200 will be available in three trim levels throughout the UAE – Premier, F Sport, and F Sport Platinum. Prices begin, inclusive of VAT, at AED 150,000 rising to AED 180,00 depending on options and the overall level of specification.

Austrian supercar manufacturer Milan Automotive GmBh has unveiled its latest addition to the supercar market in the UAE. The Milan Red is the luxury new release and was showcased at a lavish opening ceremony at Deals on Wheels showroom, located on Shaikh Zayed Road.

Those interested in adding the lightning fast supercar to their collection will have to move quickly as Milan Automotive GmBH will only be manufacturing 99 models of the vehicle for the retail market. 18 of the 99 available supercars have already been preordered, leaving only 81 left to be purchased. The Milan Red has been a highly anticipated release and looking at the details of its state-of-the-art construction and design, it’s easy to see why.

The Milan Red packs some serious power with an impressive 6.2-litre engine and features a V-8 quad turbo that results in the supercar being able to produce a huge 1,325 horsepower. With so much power under the hood and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, the supercar can reach speeds of 0 to 60 km/h in an impressive 2.5 seconds. Manufacturer Milan Automotive GmBh also claims that the supercar can hit the heights of 200 km/h in 5.5 seconds and a rapid 299 km/h in under 10 seconds.

In order to optimise the top speed of the Milan Red, it is manufactured with a carbon wishbone that brings the weight of the vehicle down to a respectable 1,300kg. With all that power under the hood, buyers will be reassured the manufacturer hasn’t held back on the braking system. The 20-inch front and 21-inch back aluminium wheels are equipped with carbon and ceramic brakes.

A remarkable feature of the Milan Red is its internal display. The gorgeous interior is equipped with a display on the dashboard that shows a visual of the driver’s current heartbeat. With a top speed of 467 kph, the Milan Red is sure to get the heartbeats racing of many drivers.

The Milan Red is another fantastic addition to the range of supercars available in the UAE. What may prove too much for some is the whopping 7.9 million AED price tag.

The revolution for electric cars hasn’t escaped Dubai. There’s no greater figurehead for the rise in development and use of electric cars than Tesla. The Californian company is making enormous inroads into pushing its electric vehicles into every market it can, and Dubai is no exception.

With that in mind, the main Tesla retail outlet and service centre is currently open on Skeikh Zayed Road. A 220-square-foot temporary showroom has recently found a home in the Mall of Emirates, however, to help further cement Tesla’s place in the local automotive scene.

Learning about the brand

This temporary showroom is currently planned to stay in place until February next year. In the showroom, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with two of the brand’s flagship models. Both the super-saloon Model S and incredibly fast SUV, Model X, will be displayed in this temporary showroom.

One of the key goals of the showroom is to encourage prospective buyers to learn more about the brand, its history, and where it’s going in the future. Those interested in Tesla’s more affordable mass-market offering, the Model 3, will also be able to learn more. The Model 3 is due to hit the streets of Dubai starting Q1 2019.

Tesla taking hold

Tesla is gradually increasing its presence in Dubai, which has traditionally favoured more gas-guzzling performance and luxury vehicles. Tesla seems to be changing that perception, however, with more models in a range of popular segments.

The Dubai Green Mobility Initiative may help Tesla further cement their place in Dubai. The Roads and Transport Authority has added 125 to their fleet of taxis this year, and there are rumours there may even be Tesla police cars sooner rather than later.

All over the world, Tesla is becoming more and more renowned as a trailblazer in all manner of electric vehicles. From more affordable hatchbacks, to ultra-luxurious SUVs, and even a face-melting performance roadster, there’s a Tesla for everyone.

If you’re interested in learning more, pay a visit to the temporary Tesla showroom in the Mall of Emirates any time until February 2019.