FUN CUP MIDDLE EAST Pulls Up AT DUBAI AUTODROME

Following the successful launch of the Fun Cup Middle East at Spa, Belgium in July, the inaugural promotional Fun Cup Middle East Race Weekend will be held at the Dubai Autodrome on the 27th, 28th and 29th of January 2011.

The first 3 Fun Cup Middle East cars left the factory in Belgium at the end of August and are now on hand at the Dubai Autodrome for Track Days (details on website). All 3 cars will be at the circuit including a twin-seater car for drives with a Fun Cup Instructor.

The ever popular FunCup is an endurance motorsports race and the series was launched in the Europe in 1997, as a step forward in motorsport with the clearly defined objective of providing cost effective, close, exciting and above all, good fun racing for all teams competing.

The concept was originally conceived in Belgium based on the success of endurance karting. As well as series in the UK and Belgium, it now runs in France, Italy, Germany and Spain with the USA next in line. From small beginnings, it has taken off to massive success with more than 160 cars on the grid for the Spa 25 hour race and regular grids, topping 50 cars in Europe.

The cars are race designed, single-seaters, with super-strong space frame chassis. Most Fun Cup cars are powered by an 1800cc, 130 bhp VW/Audi petrol engine, with a 5 speed gearbox, race brakes and fully adjustable suspension. However, a new and exciting development to the Fun Cup in 2009 was the introduction of the 1900cc TDI, 160 bhp VW diesel engines.

Tony Burton, Race Director, Burton Motorsports the exclusive rights holder for Fun Cup Middle East comments, “We saw a gap in the market and motorsports community for an endurance motorsport series that allowed novice drivers to acquire the basic skills through a race license and a certain level of track time that then enabled them to really test and enjoy their driving skills on a serious circuit within a real racing environment”. Burton further added, “With the European race season running from April to October it is our aim to see this series find a continued season in the Middle East from October to April. We believe that such a series would enhance regional motorsports by making it more accessible and popular across a wider audience, as well as offering a significant entertainment value to the regional circuits”.

With European crowds reaching up to 30,000 strong, Fun Cup brings the thrill of driving and racing to participants and spectators alike. The level and extent of viewership and coverage currently occupied by Fun Cup will naturally lend itself to inbound tourism, as well as to the promotional export of the UAE and its neighbours.Fun Cup Middle East aims to be incorporated into the official regional motorsports race season by September 2011.

Mitsubishi ASX 2011 Review

Dubai: After its most recent launch into the European market this past July, the new Mitsubishi ASX is now on the Middle East car market.

Hosted by the Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC), the launch of the new vehicle took place in Dubai yesterday, attracting car dealers from all over the Middle East and GCC, in addition to top Mitsubishi officials from Japan. The ASX was also available for a test drive.

Fuel efficient

"It's a smaller SUV with a smaller engine size, but it's also got the capabilities of a two-wheel and a four-wheel drive," said Joseph Rogan, Sales Director at Al Habtoor Motors, the exclusive dealer for Mitsubishi, Bentley, Aston Martin and TEMSA in the UAE.

The ASX is a mid-sized SUV powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0 litre petrol engine. It also comes with a price tag starting from Dh74,500 in the UAE. "The growth of Mitsubishi has been tremendous," Rogan said. The new ASX will be competing with other vehicles in the market, he said.

Speaking of the current car market, Rogan said that it's "coming back together again. It's growing again. Now that we've got the ASX on board, we believe it's going to be a great opportunity for us." Asked about the outlook for 2011, Rogan said, "It's still a bit early to predict what the market will be like next year, but so far our sales growth have been 27 per cent.

"Since its launch worldwide, it's been very well received and we believe it will be doing well in this region too," he said.

Chevrolet Traverse 2010

The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Traverse, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Chevrolet Traverse is an affordable, stylish and versatile minivan alternative. Its spacious seven- or eight-passenger seating and class-leading cargo space make it a great family SUV.

As Chevy's first large crossover SUV, the Traverse replaced the discontinued Uplander minivan when it debuted in 2009. It shares a platform with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, and several reviewers say it's the best of the three. "There is a plethora of crossover SUVs to choose from today and they come in all sizes," says MSN. "If you regularly tote around six or seven passengers, occasionally load plywood sheets or tow up to 5,200 pounds, the Traverse should be added to your shopping list."

The Traverse’s greatest strength is a standard third-row seat, which brings the seating capacity to eight and is actually big enough to fit adults. It also boasts an incredible amount of cargo space that no other SUV in its class can match. At just over $29,000, the Traverse’s starting price is about average for its class, which makes it a good value. Its 17/24 city/highway fuel economy is also about average, but is especially impressive when compared to other eight-passenger SUVs.

Other SUVs to Consider

Since the Affordable Midsize SUV class is so large, there are even more affordable options – but it’s difficult to find one as well-rounded as the Traverse, or one that seats eight passengers.

Still, you may want to consider the Ford Flex, which comes with a two-person third row that’s big enough to fit adults. It has a comparable fuel economy rating and shaves a few hundred dollars off the Traverse’s base price. Its biggest advantage, however, is an optional EcoBoost engine, which boasts a whopping 355 horsepower. Just remember that the Flex also comes with unique retro styling, which may or may not float your boat.

Another good three-row option is the Honda Pilot. It costs about $1,300 less than the Traverse and has a very similar fuel economy rating. However, it doesn’t provide nearly as much cargo capacity and comes with a much boxier exterior.

Details:

The 2010 Traverse is available in a few trim levels -- LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ -- in either front- or all-wheel drive. Since it was just introduced last year, the Traverse gets only minor changes for 2010, such as the addition of a USB port. Since the 2010 Traverse is nearly identical to the 2009 model, this review uses data from both model years.

Drive away with a new BMW after paying only 50% of its value -offer at Alfardan Automobiles

Doha – It has never been easier to own a premium vehicle thanks to Alfardan Automobile’s extraordinary new ’50:50’ promotion. This autumn, the exclusive BMW Group importer is offering its customers the opportunity to pay 50% of the value of a new vehicle for owning it, or they can trade in their old BMW for a new model worth double the market value of their current vehicle. What’s more, customers can defer payment on the remaining balance for 18 months after the date of purchase.

The 50:50 campaign also allows new and existing customers the luxury of purchasing a new vehicle, provided they pay the value of their old model in cash or 50% of the value of the new car, and paying nothing more for a period of 18 months. Customers availing of the ’50:50’ promotion will be eligible to purchase one of a number of new BMW models: the flagship BMW 7 Series, the BMW X5 and BMW X6, all of which are amongst the region’s best selling premium vehicles.

When it comes to trade in; the unmatched ’50:50’ promotion covers any BMW vehicle aged two to three years old. Eligible customers will receive a free inspection from the Alfardan Automobiles BMW Premium Selection department to determine the value of their existing model. Once complete, a member of the new car sales team will contact the customer with the vehicle’s value and advise on which new model can be purchased.

Mohamed Kandeel, General Manager of Alfardan Automobiles said: “We are committed to providing outstanding customer service and ensuring that our customers get the premium service they deserve. At Alfardan Automobiles, we always strive to be at the forefront in offering our customers flexible and exciting ways to own a BMW vehicle.

Alfardan Automobiles also offers the BMW Service Inclusive Ultimate package as standard on all new purchases. The three year unlimited warranty agreement covers all major servicing on BMW cars for the first three years or 60,000km (whichever comes first) including wear and tear parts that are beyond the standard warranty, costs for labour, original BMW replacement parts and top-up oil. Should the customer wish to sell their BMW before it has expired, the remaining benefits are fully transferable to any subsequent owner as the package belongs to the vehicle.

The ’50:50’ campaign will be running from the last week of September to the end of October

Harley-Davidson sets up shop in Lebanon worth 2.5 Million Dollars

Lebanon is to become the major hub for Harley-Davidson in the Levant with the opening of its showroom in Beirut Q4 of this year. Inspired by the passion of 800 bikers across the country, Harley-Davidson Worldwide has chosen the city to cater for the needs of a growing community of enthusiasts in Levant and the Gulf region.

Harley fans in Lebanon will now have easy access to parts, bikes and accessories. They will also be able to participate in activities, tours and events, through which they can share their passion with other like-minded bikers.

Interest in Harley-Davidson has long thrived in the Levant. The company first opened a showroom in Lebanon more than 70 years ago to support the growing number of riders there. However, for a number of reasons, the country lost its dealership 10 years ago and bikers scattered and were forced to order parts and equipment from overseas.

With an investment of $2.5m for the new outlet the place will be offering the latest Harley-Davidson equipment, bikers will have a revived opportunity to engage with the sport and fellow riders