The First-Ever Range Rover Electric Teased
You now have a chance to join the waiting list.
Bentley Bentayga Mulliner Launched In The UAE
After revealing it for the first time in August this year, Bentley has launched the Bentayga Mulliner in the UAE. Available exclusively in the EWB (Extended Wheelbase) form, the luxury SUV was unveiled at an exclusive launch event at Atlantis The Royal, Dubai.
The Bentley Bentayga Mulliner is available in two seating configurations – 4 and 4+1. Part of the standard equipment is the Airline Seat specification, which ropes in 22-way powered seats, an automatic climate sensing system and postural adjustment tech. Another highlight in the features list is the Bentley Diamond Illumination.
Powering the Bentley Bentayga Mulliner is a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that outputs 542hp/770Nm. That’s enough for a 0-100kmph sprint time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 290kmph. Features like electronic all-wheel steering and Bentley Dynamic Ride help relish the driving experience.
Mercedes-AMG Unveils The Most Powerful SL Ever
It becomes the fifth hybrid road-legal model to carry the ‘E Performance’ tag.
Avolon Orders More Airbus And Boeing Jets
Ireland-based aircraft lessor Avolon has extended orders with two of the most prominent aeroplane makers in the world – Airbus and Boeing. Avolon has inked a firm order for 100 A321neo jets with the former, taking the total order for the same type of aircraft to 190. With this latest order, the lessor now has 292 A320neo family aircraft on order. However, its overall business with Airbus stands at 632 aeroplanes, which includes A320s, A330s and A350s. During the Paris Air Show 2023, Avolon ordered 20 A330neo jets.
At the same event, Avolon also ordered 40 Boeing 737 MAX aeroplanes. However, the company has now announced its intention to purchase an additional 40 737-8 aircraft. The new order expands the lessor’s 737 MAX portfolio, which includes 737-8 and 737-10 derivatives, to over 110 planes.
Airbus Delivers First A350-1000 To Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines (JAL), the country’s flag carrier, has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft. It is configured in four classes. The First Class has six suites, each offering a choice of three modes – sofa, seat and single bed or double bed. Next is the Business Class cabin with 54 seats and privacy doors. The third is Premium Economy, with 24 seats, while 155 seats are in the Economy Class.
JAL has ordered a total of 31 aircraft from the Airbus A350 family. Of them, 18 are A350-900s and 13 A350-1000s. The newly acquired twin-engined long-haulier will serve the carrier’s international network, starting with the Tokyo Haneda – New York JFK route. JAL has been operating the A350-900 on highly sought-after Japanese domestic routes since 2019.
Fifth Cadillac EV Confirmed For 2026
After announcing its fourth EV – the Optiq – last month, Cadillac is back with another confirmation. What you see here is the brand’s fifth EV, christened Vistiq. It will join Cadillac’s range of zero-emission vehicles in 2026, slotting between the Lyriq and the Escalade IQ. Like the latter, the Cadillac Vistiq is a three-row SUV. However, it won’t be described in its home country as a “full-size” SUV.
The Vistiq becomes the third pure-electric vehicle to be confirmed by Cadillac in 2023. Like most of its stablemates, Vistiq’s details, including features, availability and pricing, will be unearthed in 2024.
Two MG Models Debut At Riyadh Motor Show
British brand MG Motor made a statement at the 2023 Riyadh Motor Show, which runs until December 9. The highlight was the world premiere of the MG Whale – an SUV-coupe model that boasts a whale-inspired grille and oval-shaped vertical lights at the rear. Indoors, it features a 12.3-inch curved panoramic screen, Nappa leather seats, and an uncluttered dashboard layout. The petrol-powered model will be launched in the Middle East before 2023 comes to a close.
The other MG model that grabbed attention was the MG7, making its regional debut. Scheduled to go on sale in March next year, the car features a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a multifunction three-spoke steering wheel, triangle-shaped headlights and a body-wide taillight.
MG has also displayed several other models from its global portfolio at the Riyadh Motor Show. The list includes MG HS PHEV, ZS EV, RX5, MG GT and the recently introduced MG One. And for the extra something, a custom-made MG T60 is also present.
Also Read: Kia K3 Debuts In The Middle East At Riyadh Motor Show
Cathay Cargo To Buy Up To 26 Airbus A350F Freighters
To make Hong Kong the world’s top air cargo hub, Cathay Group has placed a firm order for Airbus A350F Freighters. The agreement also gives the option for the Hong Kong-based airline to purchase a further 20 such aircraft. Cathay confirms that the first units from this order will start arriving in 2027. These freighter aircraft will help the carrier link its hub and China Mainland with long-haul destinations across North America, South America and Europe.
Presently, Cathay Group’s Cargo services are handled by 20 Boeing 747 freighters, including 14 B747-8Fs and 6 B747-400ERFs. In addition to those purpose-built aircraft, the airline serves cargo needs with belly capacity on its fleet of passenger aeroplanes.
The order book for Cathay Group currently includes 21 Boeing 777-9s, with deliveries expected to start in 2025, and 49 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, all expected to join the fleet by 2029.
Pratt & Whitney Propels The Falcon 6X Into Service
RTX’s Pratt & Whitney Canada joins Dassault Aviation in celebrating the latter’s Falcon 6X’s entry into service. The business jet, which had bagged its type certifications from EASA and FAA earlier this year, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW812D turbofan engines. The Falcon 6X entered service on November 30, 2023.
In the testing phase, the engines proved so fuel-efficient that they could fly the largest Falcon jet for up to 5,500 nautical miles (10,200km). Plus, compared to direct competition, the PW812D also offers improvements over noise and emissions. Pratt & Whitney Canada claims that the PW800 series engines require 40 per cent less scheduled maintenance and 20 per cent fewer inspections when compared to rivals in the same class.
The engines in question are already compatible with a 50 per cent blend of kerosene-based jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Further tests are being conducted for up to 100 per cent use of SAF.