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.

‘Unlock The Race’ With INFINITI

October 19, 20121 Comment

Now I wish i was good at these simulator races … no time to get good at it though!

I’m slowly getting to know more about Infinity…my first tryst with the brand was early this year and since then, I have been following their news closely as they become more and more innovative in their brand exposure events and activities.

Today Infiniti announced an exclusive ‘Unlock the Race’ competition offering winners the chance to be VIP guests of Infiniti in the Red Bull Racing suite at the Abu Dhabi race….diva is listening….I still don’t have my tickets yet :(.

Inviting motorsport enthusiasts to set the fastest laptime they can on Red Bull Racing’s ‘Playseat’ simulator, the ultimate target will be to beat the time set by Sebastien Buemi, Red Bull Racing’s test and reserve driver. All contestants, will record their race time on a virtual Yas Marina track – adding to the anticipation of the prize…very nice indeed!

All I am happy about is that I don’t have to trot all the way to AD to take part. ‘Unlock the Race’ is to be held at the popular Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)-The Walk between 5pm and midnight from the 17th to 20th October 2012 and is open to all UAE residents over the age of 18.

The 30 best times recorded will then move on to an exclusive VIP grand finale event scheduled for Wednesday, 31st October to compete against each other. Special guests of honour Sebastien Buemi as well as world-renowned ex-Formula One driver and now commentator on Sky, Martin Brundle, will be present during the gala event. Two runners-up will be invited to join Infiniti on practice and qualifying days while the winner will experience Infiniti’s inspired hospitality on race day itself…are you ready to race?

Comfort, luxury and power – BMW 7 Series

October 13, 2012Leave a comment

How Gorgeous is the new 7 series…loved every minute exploring the cool features of this baby!

Walking to the BMW showroom is always an awesome experience especially after a rough day at work when the massage chair and the warm people of BMW totally hit the spot. My last visit was particularly out of this world as I checked out the new and refined 7 Series model, which is set to strengthen its leading position as the most dynamic and innovative luxury sedan in the premium automotive segment. Thanks to Kevin and his team, I got thoroughly enlightened on all the cool features of the 7 series.

BMW Middle East currently ranks as the third biggest worldwide for BMW 7 Series sales and the flagship model is consistently amongst BMW’s best-sellers across the GCC markets. The new refined 7 Series therefore, which offers new levels of luxury, comfort and power are expected to further amplify BMW’s 7 Series success story.

At first, I thought there will be just some subtle additions but in fact the design and technology modifications made give the car a stronger presence on the road and provide an even more luxurious and powerful driving experience – even as a passenger in the back seat, I felt like royalty.

The exterior design modifications enhance the car’s sophisticated and elegant appearance. The most eye-catching exterior feature is the new Adaptive LED headlights featuring hallmark BMW corona rings and a smart accent strip followed by the enhanced new front and rear bumper, new kidney grille and indicators integrated into the lower section of the exterior mirrors.

Quality workmanship, premium materials and outstanding practicality enhance the levels of comfort in the interior of the new 7 Series. The newly designed leather seats offer optimum lateral support and unbeatable long-distance comfort and can be adapted to passengers’ needs. An optional Rear Seat Entertainment package comes with a new 9.2-inch flat screen monitor while the new 1,200-watt Bang & Olufsen High End Surround Sound System delivers unrivalled sound quality, meeting my diva level requirements.

A class-leader in advanced technology, BMW’s ConnectedDrive features that give the driver and passengers information and services makes their driving experience safer and more comfortable giving the 7 Series an innovative edge over its rivals. Tailored to the Middle East market the on board iDrive control system has an Arabic interface and navigation system.

In the cockpit, the all-new multifunctional instrument display behind the steering wheel meets all of the driver’s needs. Using extended black-panel technology, BMW opens up a whole new range of display options through the 10.25-inch screen, including instruments that use different colours and graphics depending on the driving mode selected, and provides situation-specific information such as status and function displays.

Alongside the flagship BMW 760Li with its 12-cylinder engine and the entry-level BMW 730i engine, Middle East customers can also choose from the new six-cylinder in-line engine powering the BMW 740Li and the new V8 engine in the 750Li.

It is rare to find a brand that can offer you the chance to personalize such a high-end product – the BMW Individual programme ensures that your BMW vehicle reflects your own personal taste and unique sense of individuality. The program is a specialised service offered whereby the client may specify features of the car, in order to create one’s own, unique model. The Bespoke team is dedicated to finding new paints, materials and engineering solutions in order to find new ways to develop truly exceptional cars.

A BMW Individual vehicle comes fully loaded with features and options permitting the driver to convey even further their fondness for superb quality and unique styling. And to make the BMW Individual even more special it provides the customers with the opportunity to choose their favourite seams in the leather from some patterns proposed by the programme, from the stitching to the vehicle trim. The BMW customers have come to expect only the finest and most exclusive ownership experience available in the premium segment.

Apart from exclusive upholstery, BMW Individual also offers interesting highlights in entertainment and information electronics for the tech-savvy clientele, including the ability to use various DVD, TV, navigation and on-board computer functions complete with access to the Internet.

Naturally I like anything that’s exclusive so it is delightful to know that one can have personalized or limited edition cars from BMW. For instance, to mark the 40th Anniversary of the unification of the United Arab Emirates, BMW Group launched the BMW 7 Series UAE 40th Anniversary Limited Edition limited to just 40 cars.

The BMW 7 Series UAE 40th Anniversary Limited Edition features an exclusive Marakesh Brown exterior colour, coupled with a Merino Platinum leather interior, which features the UAE emblem on the headrest, iDrive button and other areas of the interior trim. An elegant ‘UAE 40 years’ designation features on the chrome trim at the rear of the 7 Series. Similar special features can be customized for the discerning BMW customers of the region. I can’t wait to get better acquainted with this new love wheels 🙂

Porsche Drivers Selection :)

October 9, 2012Leave a comment

Stylish!

I am clearly car crazy these days….my energy has to go into something and since most people, events and things around me bore me to death, being in cars gives me that extra oomph that not much else does….at least cars are easy to control and they are functional fun machines. I like machines…all sorts and shapes!

Anyway, being a car fanatic means my fascination extends to accessories for cars or anything remotely related to cars…I go a step further and get clothes, accessories etc related to car brands….the Porsche and Ferrari retail department can vouch for this. But my current muse is the Porsche Drivers selection.

Porsche has recently launched the new Porsche Driver’s selection which features sporty fashion items and exclusive accessories which bring the Porsche feeling to every aspect of your lifestyle even when not on the roads.

The collection ranges across various categories and includes, clothes, fashion accessories, luggage, sunglasses, watches, etc.

Get a sneak peek from the pictures below….drive fashionably!