ABU DHABI // Visitors to the Emirates National Auto Museum said its new exhibition of sport utility vehicles gives a sense of practicality after the experience of awe the main show provides.
Sheikh Hamad bin Hamdan last week launched an array of 4-wheel-drive models at the museum in the first major addition to the facility since it opened in 2004.
The exhibition featured models of Jeep Wranglers, Dodge Rams, and the popular Nissan Patrols and Toyota Land Cruisers.
Mike Sim, a visitor from Singapore and a car enthusiast, said: “This is way beyond me, this is fantastic. Wow, the scale and the collection is really just amazing.”
Sheikh Hamad said one of the main objectives of showcasing these models was to provide technical support to consumers thinking of purchasing one.
The exhibition displays the cars and offers information about what makes them viable options for local consumers. “This is like a shopping mall window display of the cars,” Mr Sim said. “The new display is really great.”
Mr Sim said that while he personally does not favour 4x4s, he can still appreciate the service.
“You know it’s different,” he said. “All the Jeeps here are white I’ve noticed, whereas in Singapore all the cars are black.”
His son-in-law, Frank Cibulka, an associate professor of humanities and social sciences at Zayed University, said that for him the museum is a must-see whenever he is on road to Liwa.
“It’s amazing considering the location of the museum, in the middle of the desert to find that this collection of vehicles is available is really just astonishing,” he said.
Located 40 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi, the museum houses the sheikh’s private car collection, with approximately 230 exhibits.
“You know, I’m not a big car person but this museum makes it very interesting to get a glimpse into what the museum is about and the cars that make up the history of the UAE,” Prof Cibulka said.
Sheikh Hamad told Wam, the state news agency, that the latest additions really give perspective to the current 4x4s available in the market in a country in which these vehicles are very popular.
He sees the museum as a way for car consumers to get on-the-spot information.
Some of the cars on display have been customised for the sheikh, who has focused his collection on unique variations of US classic cars and off-road vehicles.
Also in the exhibition is the largest truck in the world, which is fashioned after a 1950s Dodge Power Wagon, a vehicle that was used during the oil era.
The museum is located on the road to Liwa and is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
nalwasmi@thenational.ae
The past winners
2009 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2010 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2011 - Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2012 - Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
2014 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2015 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2016 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2017 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
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Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
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MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
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Price: Dh184,500
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
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MATCH INFO
Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
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Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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