Abu Dhabi Motors wins Rolls-Royce “2013 – Global Dealer of the Year” award

March 19, 2014Leave a comment

Peter Schwarzenbauer (Chairman) , Arno Husselmann (General manager of Abu Dhabi Motors), Torsten Müller-Ötvös, (Rolls Royce CEO)

Although I am a Porsche infused diva, my other favourite brand because of the awesome people who work there is Rolls Royce. The CEO of Rolls Royce is a charm to talk to and the marketing team headed by Alaa are amazing. So… last month Abu Dhabi Motors, the sole Dealer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain won the Global Dealer of the Year Award for 2013 and further improved on its 2012 successes.

Although I met with the team at Sheikh Zayed Road with the CEO as we toured the new workshop, the Rolls-Royce Motorcars held its annual Global Dealer Conference at the Emirates Palace Hotel for the first time in the Middle East last month.

At a glittering award ceremony, Abu Dhabi Motors repeated its 2012 achievement by being awarded the Global Dealer of the Year for 2013, edging out Beverly Hills, London, Beijing and Moscow for the title as prestigious recognition of its sales and parts performance as well as high Aftersales standards.

Abu Dhabi Motors achieved a sales growth of 23% over 2012 which ensured it was the Global Sales Leader of Rolls-Royce cars in 2013.

In addition, Abu Dhabi Motors was honoured for being the bestselling Global Bespoke Dealer in 2013, a title it has claimed as its own for the fifth consecutive year, boasting the richest bespoke specifications and creating several unique vehicles to meet the sophisticated requirements of their customers in the UAE. Several new concepts will be finding their way to Abu Dhabi during the course of 2014 to ensure the companies successes in Bespoke will continue.

The Rolls-Royce dealer Awards programme is one of the most sought after recognitions within the company and is a celebration of the brand’s successes over the past year which awards the best performing dealers for their professionalism, commitment and dedication to the brand as well as their applied systems and processes in sales and after sales. Designed to ensure top class customer experiences, improve operational standards and reward sales successes, the awards honoured Abu Dhabi Motors for the pivotal role it has played in contributing to the increasing global success of the Rolls-Royce brand….knowing the UAE team, they totally deserve it!

Five stars for Audi A6 in US NCAP crash test

March 2, 2014Leave a comment

Hot off the press – Just thought I’ll share with you the latest news thats come in from Audi – The American crash test program US NCAP has awarded the current Audi A6 (combined consumption in l/100 km: 9.8 – 4.4; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 229 – 114) the maximum rating of five stars for crash safety. The results for adult protection in frontal and side impact collisions, as well as in a rollover situation, make the current Audi A6 one of the safest cars in its category.

‘Joy of collecting’ is new theme for Bahrain Science Centre

February 5, 2014Leave a comment

Its always fun to do things for Bahrain Science Centre because each month we have a new activity to work on. The themed activity during February 2014 at Bahrain Science Centre, part of Ministry of Social Development is ‘Joy of Collecting ‘. The goal of this theme is to encourage children to make collections of interesting objects.

Collecting is an educational activity as it encourages children to acquire and learn about objects from different cultures, ages and countries. Although ‘collecting’ is not strictly a scientific activity, it is an educational activity that promotes curiosity, inquisitiveness and innovation.

During the month, children will be encouraged to collect items that are simple, interesting, not too common or expensive, that are not alive, and are found all over the world and samples of personal collections will be displayed in different galleries at the centre .

Interested visitors can download the weekly programme on the website www.bahrainsciencecentre.com for more information. The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466

The Porsche 918 Spyder celebrates world debut

September 10, 2013Leave a comment

Diva is on about Porsche again…This time for good reason as the technologically pioneering Porsche 918 Spyder celebrated its debut at this year’s International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The super sportscar with plug-in hybrid drive marks the beginning of a new era for sportscar manufacturing.

Never before has a super sportscar designed for everyday use offered such an impressive dynamic performance combined with the fuel consumption of a compact car. In setting this technological benchmark, the Porsche 918 Spyder is taking on a pioneering role similar to that of the 911 when it was unveiled at the IAA fifty years ago.

Anyway…to mark this anniversary, Porsche is presenting the “50 years 911” limited edition model. Based on the 911 Carrera S platform, this special model combines traditional 911 features with state-of-the-art technology. Porsche is completing its sportscar line-up with the new 911 Turbo, which is being presented to the public for the first time at the major trade show in Frankfurt.

The 918 Spyder is the continuation of the traditional Porsche DNA in a ground-breaking sportscar concept. Designed from the start to be a high-performance hybrid, the 918 Spyder boasts an unprecedented combination of performance (offering the 887-bhp output of a super sportscar) and the virtually silent locomotion of an electric vehicle.

What excites me most – The vehicle is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and offers an average standard fuel consumption of between 3.0 and 3.3 litres/100 km. The 918 Spyder concept also allows a combustion engine to be combined with an electric motor-based drive to further optimise the dynamic performance of the vehicle.

Going back in history – Since its debut at the IAA in September 1963, the 911 has been revered by car enthusiasts around the world as the epitome of the sportscar. The bestseller is now celebrating its 50th anniversary in Frankfurt, and Porsche is marking the occasion with a limited edition model based on the current 911 Carrera S.

Only 1963 special models are available – the same number as the year of the 911 world premiere. In addition to a comprehensive features package and various visual references to the early years of this iconic sportscar, this very special 911 model exclusively combines the wide body of the all-wheel models with the traditional rear-wheel drive of the original 911, which also featured a flat-six engine that transmitted power to the rear wheels.

Volkswagen Service Excellence

September 3, 2013Leave a comment

I am clearly in VW mode – As part of their on-going commitment to Service Excellence, Volkswagen Middle East now offers their customers a reduced Cost of Ownership as well as guaranteeing the Recommended Retail Price.

To demonstrate their offering in a different way, they have created the below videos which i thought was cool as normally i get long pages of information from people which take ages to read!

Check them out…Enjoy!

Total Cost of Ownership: http://we.tl/LEOGNQYdku

Recommended Retail Prices: http://we.tl/R4OjN2xsWd

My tryst with Porsche Panamera GTS

May 26, 2013Leave a comment

How beautiful is this car

Last month, my muse was the sportiest Porsche Panamera to ever to hit the road. In true diva like style, the Panamera GTS that I experienced first hand shows that Porsche really has introduced the head-turning variant of the hugely successful Panamera – this was evident in the comments people made when I arrived at work with the cool red Panamera GTS.

The Panamera GTS delivers racetrack performance, with a striking engine sound that turns heads, yet also offers the space and comfort of a four-seater Gran Turismo….I didn’t transfer my 65 pairs of shoes into the boot from my car but could clearly see that if I ever got the car for a few days, my portable shoe rack would fit into it with no problem.

With more power and upgraded brakes and a body lowered by ten millimetres plus a tuned chassis with air suspension and Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM), this model truly is capable of cutting it on the racing circuit. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 288 km/h.

I will be honest that I didn’t go that fast simply because I used the swanky red Panamera to get to work on public roads and did not want to risk a face-off between a Fijian diva and RTA or Dubai Police. I decided to stay safe but I did take an earlier version of the Panamera on the YAS Marina racing circuit two years ago with an official gorgeous Belgian Porsche driver trainer as my co-driver. I almost got kicked out of the training after taking the 5^th model of a Porsche on the race track but charmed my way in to stay…the 7^th model of the Porsche we trained on was a Panamera and collectively everyone agreed that the Panamera is indeed a shark on the tracks. It was a delight to test the engines and the new Panamera GTS was an equal delight for me on the road.

The Panamera GTS reveals its independence with distinctive design features in the front-end, side and rear area, as well as black highlights. The interior is carefully tailored to underline the sporty personality with sports seats, a SportDesign steering wheel with shift paddles, an exclusive GTS leather interior, and Alcantara surfaces.

Featuring a modified 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, which delivers a blistering 430 hp at 6,700 rpm, the Panamera GTS trumps the engine in its Panamera S/4S sister models by some 30 hp. Maximum torque is also increased by comparison, from 500 Nm to 520 Nm.

The basic retail price for the new Porsche Panamera GTS in the UAE is AED 512,000. The one I drove was with some additional cool options that made me feel like a queen of the Dubai roads and with all the extra options, it was roughly AED560,000…not bad if you want to make an already cool car into something that car enthusiasts will drool over.

*PS – if you want to see a closer picture of the screen map (GPS), check https://twitter.com/Fijianchick/media/grid. I took a picture of this on the road when I really needed to get to an area in Dubai I didn’t know very well.

*Al Nabooda Automobiles is the official dealer for Porsche in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

Nissan Middle East projects a positive FY2013

May 26, 2013Leave a comment

One of the nicest people in the Middle East automotive industry has to be Samir Cherfan, Managing Director Nissan Middle East…a positive down to earth and yet dynamic individual, he is confident and a visionary which is why it was a delight to listen to him last week over lunch talking about Nissan Middle East the 26.2% rise in sales for the 2012 financial year (FY2012) ending 31 March 2013 and what the brand hopes to achieve in the future.

The brand outperformed the overall market trend by 1.1%, following a year of award-winning brand building activities during which five new exciting and innovative models were launched. Nissan Middle East achieved 14.4%* market share, up 0.1% on FY2011.

The performance has led Nissan to predict positive growth 2013 in the Middle East during which it is forecasting a minimum 11.1% rise in sales against expected market growth of 5%*. By the close of FY2013, Nissan Middle East expects a market share across the region to be 15.2%.

Nissan’s strategy in the Middle East is based on the global strategy, ‘Nissan Power 88’, a wide-ranging six-year business plan announced in FY2011 that will accelerate the company’s growth according to Samir. “Based on Power 88, Nissan is aggressively renewing its product line-up in the region and heavily investing in powerful – sometimes record-breaking – brand initiatives. In financial year 2012, Nissan launched a new model almost every two months in the Middle East, all of which were enthusiastically welcomed by car buyers.”

Nissan will enjoy full years sale of the new models introduced in FY2012, which are expected to play a major part in increasing market share. Its leadership in the B/C segment was reinforced with the introduction of an all-new name to arguably the most competitive of segments, the Nissan Sentra small-sedan. In the first 50 days of its availability, nearly 1,500 Sentras were sold, reinforcing Nissan’s position as segment leader.

If you travel as much as I do, you will note that to support Power 88, Nissan launched its first global brand campaign in FY2012, supported in the Middle East with a multi-million dollar campaign in Dubai International Airport. With artwork strategically placed at over 70 chosen locations across the airport, the Nissan brand message will be delivered to all of the 64 million travellers passing through each year. . Fittingly for the Middle East’s most visible brand campaign, it also achieved a Guinness World Record with the accompanying production of the world’s largest indoor illuminated advertising sign – over 174 square meters…check it out the next time you are at Dubai airport.

With a proud racing heritage, Nissan Middle East also escalated its motorsport activity in FY2012. In October 2012 Nissan introduced the unique and highly successful GT Academy to the region, prompting thousands of entrants to compete to fulfil their dreams of turning ‘virtual to reality’ and transforming computer console gaming skills into a career as a professional racing driver. Its support of the region’s most iconic race, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, also reached new heights with the sponsorship of Yahya and Mansoor Belhelei.

Samir also mentioned to me that for the high-end cars, they also customise cars according to individual tastes … most discerning buyers I know value this so I hope 2013 is also a great year for Nissan with more premium clients knocking on their doors.

Get stylish at home with Bentley

May 23, 2013Leave a comment

Awesome!

I’m in the process of looking for a swanky villa in Dubai to move into and can’t help but spend hours at home furnishing shops in the hope of making my new home fun and stylish. Now I must hold on to my gallivanting around town as Bentley have announced a partnership with Club House Italia for the development of its new Bentley Home Collection.

This exclusive collection of furniture and home-ware will combine the finest quality craftsmanship with exquisite modern design and the luxury finishes which underlie Bentley’s renowned global brand…. I can only imagine how cool and classic the collection will be.

The state-of-the-art collection will combine traditional elements in contemporary contexts to enhance today’s residential, commercial and executive office interiors….if you have been in a Bentley, you would know that they have the finest world-class interiors – now you can have this luxury feel in your home and office.

Club House Italia – which furnishes the finest homes, boardrooms, apartments, hotels, yachts and private jets – will reflect Bentley’s elegant, prestigious and recognisable style in the creation of a range of furniture that combines the highest attention to detail with the finest aesthetic sensibility.

The essence of Club House Italia is expressing the style of desire, giving a shape to luxury through a contemporary art made up of talent, sensitivity and expertise. Combined with Bentley’s legendary style and exquisite craftsmanship, the partnership will offer rare examples of elegance and fine finishes, using the world’s most beautiful materials to bring out unique elements of character and craftsmanship…..can’t wait to see it!

The most efficient vehicle – Learn about bicycles at Bahrain Science Centre

April 18, 2013Leave a comment

During April and May 2013 the Bahrain Science Centre part of the Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain is celebrating the theme ‘Machines & Mechanisms’. One of its displays and activities during these theme months is on the most efficient vehicle ever invented, the bicycle.

The bicycle display demonstrates why the bicycle is so efficient due to its ergonomic design that uses the human body as a source of power, its light weight, streamlining, reduced rolling resistance on the road and reduced friction resistance in the chain and sprockets.

Furthermore, the rider is seated and does not have to support his/her weight, and the reciprocal cycling action allows one leg to recover while the other leg is pushing. Bicycles also have gears that provide mechanical advantage when riding uphill or against the wind, and can free-wheel downhill without any use of energy.

The display also emphasizes that the bicycle is the most environmentally friendly form of transport as it reduces air pollution, does not produce greenhouse gases and therefore reduces our carbon footprint. It also reduces noise levels, consumes fewer resources to make and use, and uses less space than cars and therefore reduces traffic congestion. Bicycles also facilitate healthy exercise and promote a healthy outdoor life style.

The discussion and workshops around the display will focus on the design of the mechanics of the bicycle and should be of interest to people of all age groups.

Don’t miss the display, discussions, debates and workshops on the bicycle in the Bahrain Science Centre during April and May 2013.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

Hyundai exudes Luxury with the Centennial 2014

April 14, 2013Leave a comment

While I was in Bahrain last week, little diva was chauffeured in the amazing Hyundai Centennial to dinner on a luxury yacht with her dad and being a kid who has been in the best of cars that have landed in Dubai, she gushed on the phone about how cool the new Hyundai was.

Ever since its launch in 2009, the car has gone on to achieve staggering sales and impressive accolades. In line with the opulence that the new Centennial exudes, it has a significantly enhanced interior, a range of cutting-edge features, and the introduction of two new, high performance GDi engines.

Outside, the Centennial offers refined front and rear ends that reduce the amount of chrome trim applied, for a more refined finish, and customers can now choose between either vertical or horizontal type frontal grilles.

The rear LED lighting clusters have also been revamped and new, stylish 18 or 19 inch rims. Befitting a large luxury sedan, its imposing presence is helped by its striking dimensions – the new model is 5,160mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,495mm high. For 2014, customers can choose from six elegant colours, including a new addition, Cona Black.

The interior is equally modern and stylish, and boasts a significantly redesigned dashboard featuring prominent lines and the highest quality trim, all of which oozes class. All driver controls fall easily to hand, while the introduction of the new Shift by Wire gear lever serves to free up space in the central console.

These changes are all in line with Hyundai’s Modern Premium concept – a move that challenges generic notions of luxury, and insists that it extends into new possibilities with new thinking. The brand has steadily shown its ability to dominate in the luxury segment and the new model only boosts Hyundai’s position as a contender in the race.

The new Centennial 2014 appeals to the social status conscious, who still require practical spaces and features. The combination of the latest technology, with premium levels of comfort and coupled with a stylish interior and exterior, mean this car was made to stand out from the crowd and get noticed….diva is impressed and cant wait to check it out over a weekend.

Globalista Extraordinaire

TEEN lifestyle in the UAE, SPAIN, UK and FIJI ISLANDS

Category: All About Wheels – Automotive (Cars, Car Clubs, SUV’s, RV’s etc)