Tag: AGMC

MINI fit for the race track

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MINI Shereen Shabnam

The speed junkie side of Fijian diva is emerging as MINI John Cooper Works GP, the sportiest and fastest production model ever built under the brand arrives in the UAE. With its 1.6-litre turbo engine, bespoke suspension and race car looks, this nifty world first is limited to just 2,000 units worldwide.

Extensively equipped with MINI John Cooper Works motor sport technology, this two-seater MINI boasts outstanding performance to match its sporty looks.  Powered by an extensively modified four-cylinder turbo engine capable of developing 218 hp, with adjustable coilover suspension and an extra-powerful sports brake system, this model is set to impress. And to top it all off the MINI John Cooper Works GP is one of the lightest sports cars in its class.

Boasting large front and rear aprons, striking side skirts and a bespoke roof spoiler, which is complemented by a newly developed rear diffuser, this model can only impress.

The ‘GP’ in the model’s title stands for Grand Prix, and with a record-breaking acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, the new MINI John Cooper Works GP certainly lives up to its name.  Its responsive power and excellent revving ability with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine are reflected by dazzling racetrack performance figures.

The exciting race car feel of the MINI John Cooper Works GP is enhanced by the interior ambience of the model which (partly due to the absence of a rear seats) is focused entirely on the needs of the driver and his passenger, who can savour the performance of the MINI John Cooper Works GP thanks to its Recaro sports seats with GP stitching. Meanwhile, the MINI John Cooper Works thick-rimmed leather steering wheel and the gearshift knob with a chrome ring and red shift diagram help give the driver get connected with the car.

A limited number of MINI John Cooper Works GP models are available at Abu Dhabi Motors and AGMC now. The MINI John Cooper Works engine with optional automatic transmission is now available on all MINI models including the MINI Hatch, MINI Cabrio, MINI Clubman, MINI Countryman, MINI Coupé and MINI Roadster.

Patron of the Arts

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Performers at a recent exhibition from Uzbekistan supported by Dubai Culture - I loved it

Thanks to Yasser & his team, my daughter loved the performance by a Chechen Dance troupe recently organised by Dubai Culture

The last few weeks has been awesome for Dubai Culture – I’ve always known the team there to be super dynamic (I seriously want to know where people like Yasser and Bilal get their energy) but I reckon recently they have surpassed themselves after hosting one amazing cultural performance/exhibition/celebration after another.

So when the equally amazing team of Asda who know I lap up anything that’s remotely associated with Art & Culture and would support the boys there anytime contacted me about the The Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards,I jumped up and headed towards Jumeirah Zabeel – its not just the superb hammam there that pulls me towards this amazing hotel.

This key initiative was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and honoured 47 organisations and individuals for their contributions towards the city’s cultural scene …which I may add grows twofold every time I get my fabulous self to set some time aside after work to check my social calendar.

Organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage, the awards were aimed at encouraging patrons of the arts to further strengthen the evolution of the city’s cultural landscape through patronage.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority was there and he looked so different than when I first worked with him during DSF 2000 – he has managed to get increased support from Government departments and organisations, in addition to a vast pool of new patrons for culture and the arts.

It was awesome to see some of my favourite organisations and the representatives from Emirates Airlines, Jumeirah Group, Dubai Duty Free and AGMC – BMW being honoured – these guys do great stuff for art & culture and the people behind these brands are the nicest you will find in Dubai.

I’m hoping more things like Art Week, Art Dubai, Design Days, Dubai International Film Festival, Gulf Film Festival, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre add to the culture and arts scene of the city….we definitely need to give more recognition as well to the performing arts which has struggled heaps over the last 10 years. The tides are changing thanks to the amazing work of Dubai Culture and this diva is pleased to be in a city that brings so much of the worlds static and performing arts to us on a silver platter. Smiling heaps!