Classic car registration possible in Dubai

There was an important and significant announcement for vintage and classic car enthusiasts and collectors in the UAE by – the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has teamed up with the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) to offer unique classic car registration and plates from this month.

From now on, if you own a classic car that is older than 30 years – so up to 1981 at present – you can get it uniquely registered as a classic car in Dubai.The cars will only be registered after an initial inspection of the car and documentation to confirm its eligibility and then a more detailed hour-long inspection to check the status and condition of the car. All testing is done at a new facility run by the ATCUAE, staffed by technicians trained in Germany.

The ATCUAE is affiliated with the International Federation of Classic Vehicles (FIVA) – which provides global classification of vintage and classic cars. As part of the registration process owners will get certification from FIVA which in itself is likely to enhance the value of the vehicle.Categories

If the car is accepted into registration it will be classified into one of six categories:

Category A – cars built between 1950-1981 will be registered to travel anywhere, but annual mileage will be limited to 10,000km. This is in order to limit emissions and pollution, as most older cars will not be as clean as modern automobiles, as well as encouraging safe driving. If an owner expects to exceed that mileage, they can register it through the normal process at RTA – although it will then be subject to the normal inspection and registration process for modern cars.

Category B – cars built before 1950 will be limited to 5000km.

Category C – cars in this category will not be allowed to travel on high-speed motorways or highways as they may be unable to attain or maintain higher speeds, or lack sufficient safety to do so.

Category D – cars can only be driven during daylight hours – primarily because they may not have sufficient lighting.

Category E – only to be driven on internal or service roads.

Category F – only for display and not allowed to be driven.

Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA Licensing Agency, explained: ‘Classifying vehicles into categories is based on global standards and assessment mechanism that comprises different aspects namely – safety belts, type of fuel, and type of brakes.

Fees

The registration fee is the same as it is for modern cars – AED430 but the inspection fee is higher due to more detailed nature of the test at AED420. That’s a total of AED850 to get your classic registered.

The plates themselves will come in two shapes to fit in with the style and design of the classic car, and could also done as a sticker to go on the nose of the car as you might want to with cars such as the Jaguar E-Type or AC Cobra.The inspections and registration will be carried out at a new dedicated facility run by ATCUAE in Al Qusais Industrial Area 3. Owners will be required to transport the cars to the inspection centre, although for an additional fee a collection service will also be offered through the Arabian Automobile Association (AAA). There’s also a mobile inspection unit which can go and carry out inspections for classic car collectors wishing to register five or more cars. Book your appointment by contacting Classic@ATCUAE.ae.

Don’t all come at once though – the RTA estimates that there are around 3000 cars of 30 years or older in the UAE, and possibly many more that sit unregistered and undriven in owner’s private collections.Safety is the most important element to be assessed in these vehicles before allowing them to hit the road, and this is what will be guaranteed by the Technical Testing Centre.’

There will also be an opportunity to choose your plate number with an inaugural auction for classic car plates to be held on 7th June by the RTA. Over 60 plates will be offered, with the potential for more depending on demand – so if you really want to have 1959, you’d better get down there. Check their website for details.Additional categories

This new registration process is available for original specification vintage or classic cars and motorbikes. However plans are already in place to initiate custom registration for other categories of cars including Competition cars, Modified cars, what they’ve termed ‘Kit Cars’ which would included vehicles such as resto-mods (older cars fitted with updated mechanicals or bodywork) including Hot Rods. These could be started within this year Bin Sulayem told us.This of course could be a huge development for the car customisation and modification scene which is currently in a state of uncertainty and being pushed underground with crackdowns on modified cars having recently taken place in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East and Levant marks 15,000+ sales milestone for segment leading E-Class

Dubai, 1 October 2012 - Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East and Levant has announced the major regional milestone of over 15,000 sales for the latest generation E-Class, which has achieved exponential popularity since its 2009 Middle East launch and shows no signs of slowing, currently on track for a record year, with year to date 2012 sales up 19% on 2011.

Lead by the V6 engine E 300 sedan - representing 54% of all sales since 2009 - E-Class enjoys wide appeal due to its availability in sedan, coupé or cabriolet variants, and represents an understated statement of success for ‘high flyers‘ the world over.

Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant said: “In tandem with our 2012 ‘Year of AMG and SUV’ sales strategy, the E-Class is and will remain a key pillar of growth for Mercedes-Benz in this region. We offer our customers an unparalleled range of products in this segment, encompassing a sedan, a coupe, and a convertible. At the same time, the E-Class is setting benchmarks not only for market success and our drive for a record year in 2012, but also with regard to safety, comfort, and efficiency.”

With the E-Class Sedan seen as the definitive Mercedes-Benz, it therefore goes without saying that the brand values of comfort, safety and reliability have all been ingrained into the core of the current W212 model series. The luxury executive car’s characteristics also make it a logical choice for many leading hotel and airline fleets, most recently signing contracts with Emirates Airlines First Class passenger chauffer service.

An internationally unparalleled combination of state-of-the-art assistance and protection systems make the E-Class the trendsetter in the field of safety. Around a dozen different assistance systems are available to customers, including the standard-fitted ATTENTION ASSIST system, which monitors more than 70 parameters to determine a driver’s level of concentration, enabling it to warn the motorist in time if he or she is suffering from fatigue. Just as unique is the optional Adaptive High-Beam Assist.

The E-Class also scores well among customers when it comes to value: It was declared the “2011 Value Champion” as a result of an assessment carried out by Auto Bild magazine and EurotaxSchwacke. According to the residual value forecasts of the market researchers, a four-year-old E-Class vehicle will have the lowest loss of value in the upper-range segment. The E-Class also consistently ranks at the top of driver satisfaction surveys, most recently the J.D. Power 2012 Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study (VOSS) - leaving all other competitors in its wake when it came to customer satisfaction in the Executive Luxury Car category – just as in the previous year.

The E-Class Coupé is the most sought-after coupé in the executive car segment - athletic, striking and passionate. The E-Class Coupé was built in the tradition of sporty and exclusive Mercedes-Benz executive coupés, and offers a very special combination of two attributes for which the Mercedes brand is known: fascination and efficiency.

With its classic coupé side aspect - no B-pillars and fully retractable side windows - the new two-door car is a particularly sporty interpretation of the E-Class's dynamic design. At the same time the most aerodynamic variant of the Coupé is the world's most aerodynamically efficient series-production car, and combines driving enjoyment and excellent handling with maximum comfort.

The E-Class Cabriolet from Mercedes-Benz makes an emphatic statement in the luxury convertible segment. Clear lines and distinctive forms are prevalent in the E-Class Cabriolet – from the dynamic, arrowed front to the muscular rear end giving the car impressive head-turning presence.

When driving with the roof closed, the soft top looks sleek and effortless while with the roof down, the stunning lines of the car are accentuated further, giving the passengers a truly regal feel. The sporty and elegant interior impresses with particularly high-grade materials and first-class workmanship as one always experiences from the brand with the three-pointed star. Luxurious comfort and an intuitive interior layout mirror the exterior’s attractive features perfectly helping to make the E-Class Cabriolet one of the most eloquent open air cars available.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT

Dubai, UAE – If the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is an angel soaring in the heavens, epitomising the worlds of serenity, style and performance, then the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT is a much darker, more evil Affalterbach beast altogether. Evolved through the incredible success of its brother in arms, the SLS AMG GT3, which announced its arrival in the 2011 season by securing 26 victories in the FIA GT3 Series, the new SLS AMG GT was born to perform and with enhanced driving dynamics, further pushes the boundaries of this already legendary car’s capabilities and passionate driving enjoyment.

With a maximum output of 591 hp the optimised AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission and the redeveloped AMG RIDE CONTROL Performance suspension, the SLS AMG GT – which is available both as a Coupé and a Roadster – has raised the bar even higher. As a further highlight, the new high-quality AMG designo Exclusive STYLE leather is now also available as an optional extra for all SLS AMG models.

Masculine and decidedly athletic with darkened headlamps and tail lights as well as red-painted brake callipers, the new SLS AMG GT also features a unique look. The wing-shaped cross fins and the star recess in the radiator grille retain a high-gloss finish, as do the exterior mirrors and the fins on the bonnet and wings. The AMG logo on the right of the boot lid also features the additional letters "GT", letting other road admirers know this is no ordinary SLS AMG.

Frank Bernthaler, Director, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant, said: "The new SLS AMG GT demonstrates the incredible potential that lies in AMG's super sports cars. With even higher levels of performance and design details, the SLS AMG GT excites the moment one lays eyes on it, reaching a roaring crescendo as it demonstrates its prowess and performance on the race track."

One look at the technical specifications highlights the fact that AMG has succeeded in enhancing the dynamic profile of the SLS AMG GT even further. The maximum output of the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front mid-engine is 591 hp at 6800 rpm, while the maximum torque is 650 Nm at 4750 rpm. The SLS AMG GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, and can reach a speed of 200 km/h in 11.2 seconds.

The key data at a glance:

	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT
Cylinder arrangement	V8
Valves per cylinder	4
Displacement	6208 cc
Bore x stroke	102.2 x 94.6 mm
Compression ratio	11.3:1
Output	591 hp at 6800 rpm
Max. torque	650 Nm at 4750 rpm
Fuel consumption NEDC combined	13.2 l/100 km
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	3.7 s
Top speed	320 km/h*

* electronically limited

Mercedes-Benz GLK

Dubai, UAE - Following the world premiere in April 2012, the new Mercedes-Benz GLK is displaying its full credentials on- and off-road. Its claim to leadership of the compact SUV segment is underscored by trailblazing assistance systems, engines matching efficiency with agility, a new design and an extended range of equipment.

The newly designed exterior lends the GLK added dynamism. The body combines classic elements of all-terrain vehicles with the design idiom of the current Mercedes-Benz models. Stringent lines, expansive surfaces and the smooth-surfaced, volume-emphasizing front and rear areas harmonise with the hallmark GLK body features which are typical of classic, functional all-terrain vehicles. Apart from the attendant benefits in off-road terrain, this design also offers concrete advantages in day-to-day use. The high seat position provides a commanding view of the traffic situation, with the body lines also designed for excellent visibility.

The designers at the Centre of Competence for Interiors have undertaken a thorough makeover of the dashboard, for example: a wide trim in aluminium or optionally in wood spans the entire width of the dashboard. The new round vents and additional trim elements in silver shadow also catch the eye. A high-end colour display is optionally available for the instrument cluster. A three-spoke sports steering wheel, new upholstery colours and seat designs plus indirect ambient lighting featuring LED fibre-optic technology, which is available on the GLK for the first time, further enhance the feel-good atmosphere inside the car.

Rock-solid character in a fresh guise

The newly designed exterior lends the GLK added poise. The body combines classic elements of all-terrain vehicles with the design idiom of the current Mercedes-Benz models. Stringent lines, expansive surfaces and the smooth-surfaced, volume-emphasizing front and rear areas harmonise with the hallmark GLK body features which are typical of functional all-terrain vehicles. These include short overhangs, the upright front end, slender roof pillars, a steep windscreen and the taut roof line.  The body design is not a stylistic end in itself. Rather, it applies the advantages typical off all-terrain vehicles to the compact SUV class. Accomplished ATV-specific features such as approach and departure angle and ground clearance enable off-road ventures at any time. The neatly designed body and the good all-round visibility combined with the seat position enhance suitability for everyday use and provide for relaxed driving.

Beneath the newly designed headlamps, all models offer LED daytime driving lights in a chrome clasp as standard. The radiator grille with two slats and central star follows the design idiom of the current passenger car models. The slats are painted silver, with chrome inserts optional. The headlamps embody a new interpretation of the signature Mercedes lamp design. On the basic model with reflection-type headlamps, a chrome torch feature spans the two reflectors. On models fitted with the Intelligent Light System (ILS), the bi-xenon headlamp comprises the projection unit, a reflector and the torch with LED fibre-optic cables for the position light, above which the turn signal indicators consisting of individual LEDs are located.

A particularly striking feature of the side view is the roof rails, featuring a totally new design tailored to the new design idiom. The polished gallery bar rests on black plastic supports and lends the silhouette a more elegant line. As a welcome side-effect of this new design, the new rails weigh considerably less than their predecessors. This is particularly beneficial to driving dynamics, as a weight reduction in the roof area of a vehicle has a far greater impact than equivalent weight savings in other areas, such as the underbody.

The rear bumper lends a bold, sporty character to the GLK's rear end with its width-emphasizing lines and delicate tail lights. Particularly striking features here are the new-style simulated underguard – optionally in chrome – and the chrome-plated tailpipe trims integrated in the rear apron which also come as standard. The tail lights have undergone a complete revamp in terms of both appearance and functions. Fibre-optic cables and LEDs are also employed to provide the GLK's rear end with a unique and characteristic night design, the new licence plate LED lamp adding a finishing touch. 

Clean machines: the GLK engine range

The range of engines provides for drive comfort and attractive performance in all GLK models in conjunction with low emissions and fuel consumption. The GLK 350 4MATIC petrol-engine model featuring the trailblazing engineering of the leading generation of V-engines deploys BlueEFFICIENCY technology to make its mark in terms of performance and fuel consumption.

The excellent fuel economy of the GLK is underpinned by a comprehensive package of BlueEFFICIENCY measures as well as by this state-of-the-art engine technology. In addition to the ECO start/stop function that comes as standard, these measures include the seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission. Low-friction axle drives, electric steering and tyres with low rolling resistance also play their part in reducing fuel consumption.

The key data at a glance:

Model	Cyl.	cc	kW/hp at rpm	Nm from rpm	0-100 km/h (s)	Vmax km/h	l/100 km NEDC combined	CO2 g/km
GLK 350 4MATIC Blue-EFFICIENCY	V6	3498	225/306 6500	370 3500-5250	65	238	8.1-8.6	189-199

4MATIC: powerful all-wheel drive with cutting-edge control systems

The 4MATIC drive system in the GLK-Class is among the most powerful all-wheel drive systems there is; its control systems break new ground. Advantages over other systems with a transversely installed drive unit are achieved thanks to the basic compact, light and friction-loss-optimised design with its longitudinally positioned engine and integrated main and transfer case. Fuel consumption, for example, is at the same level as that of a comparable, conventionally driven vehicle, whilst noise and vibration levels are on a par with those in higher vehicle categories.

In combination with the ESP^®, ASR und 4ETS dynamic handling control systems, the basic 45:55 percent distribution of drive torque between front and rear axle provides for superior and clearly predictable handling. The newly developed multi-disc clutch in the central differential supports the system when particularly low friction values apply between tyres and road surface, such as on snow or ice. A basic locking effect of 50 Newton metres between front and rear axle results in a significant increase in traction while maintaining a high level of driving stability.

Exemplary safety as standard

Assistance systems familiar from the S- and E-Class feature as standard to enable a further improvement in active safety and driver-fitness safety and take the compact SUV to the top of its market segment. Electric steering with STEER CONTROL, which supports the driver in unstable driving conditions by triggering an impulse which can be felt on the steering wheel, prompting countersteering by the driver in the correct direction, Brake Assist (BAS), which provides additional brake power when emergency braking is detected, and ADAPTIVE BRAKE featuring Hill-Start Assist, HOLD function, brake drying in the wet and priming of the brake system all support the driver. The high standard of active safety is ensured by the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system, the ESP^® Electronic Stability Program with integrated trailer stabilisation and tyre pressure loss warning and, on the 4MATIC models, by permanent all-wheel drive and the 4ETS electronic traction system.

Optional equipment includes the ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system and the PRE-SAFE^® anticipatory safety system. Additional assistance systems, including active variants, are optionally available. One example here is Active Parking Assist, enabling automatic manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces. To facilitate manoeuvring when visibility is poor there is a backup camera with guide lines or – for the first time from Mercedes-Benz – a 360° camera. Additional systems are optionally available as individual items or in special packages. The Driving Assistance package Plus comprises DISTRONIC PLUS including BAS PLUS, PRE-SAFE^® Brake, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist. The Parking package combines the described 360° camera including Active Parking Assist and PARKTRONIC. The Lane Tracking package includes Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist. Another new development is the Offroad Engineering package in combination with the Intelligent Light System (ILS). Offroad Light is available here for trips in difficult terrain. Specific headlamp settings provide for better off-road orientation by more widespread illumination of the field of vision.

The revamped GLK-Class incorporates the integral safety concept in keeping with Mercedes-Benz's brand philosophy, which is based first and foremost on real accident scenarios. The GLK's highly robust occupant cell provides an effective basis for occupant protection in conjunction with the front and rear deformation zones. The GLK comes with numerous standard-fit items of equipment to protect its occupants. In addition to airbags, pelvisbags and sidebags for driver and front passenger, there are also windowbags for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers as well as a kneebag for the driver. The crash-responsive pedals and the crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints for driver and front passenger further bolster the level of protection. An active bonnet serves to reduce the risk of injury for the more vulnerable road users.

The comprehensive range of equipment and appointments for the GLK includes details which are generally the reserve of higher classes of vehicle. The GLK-Class furthermore offers one of the most comprehensive model ranges in the compact SUV segment.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLK will be available across the Middle East in August 2012.