Autonomous mobility in the UAE shall witness a rise in the coming months as Bayanat, a leading provider of AI-powered geospatial solutions, declares its intention to enter into a joint venture partnership with South Korean autonomous technology firm, Autonomous a2z. This joint venture will focus on the development and deployment of autonomous solutions and systems across the UAE and the wider MENA region. For the layman, the benefits of this partnership could result in the emergence of a network of autonomous vehicles that can seamlessly carry passengers between inner-city hubs such as Abu Dhabi airport, the capital’s major tourist attractions and other expansive areas. The inaugural DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi earlier this year already saw both brands officially confirm the commencement of the partnership by displaying a live demonstration of their autonomous capabilities comprising a vehicle 7,000 kilometres away in South Korea being safely teleoperated from the Bayanat Pavilion in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The announcement of this partnership comes at an opportune time as Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, recently issued a resolution to establish the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) that’s aimed to drive the development and integration of autonomous systems across various sectors beyond vehicles in the UAE.

Two legacy British brands join hands as Arsenal Football Club appoints MG Motor as its “official automotive partner”. MG Middle East announced the regional commencement of the three-year partnership with Arsenal Football Club starting July 2024 in the Middle East to boost the brand’s visibility on a global scale. As the Official automotive partner of Arsenal Football Club, MG Motor will support both men’s and women’s football teams with a proud and prominent showcase of the brand at Emirates Stadium and Meadow Park. The partnership will see both brands collaborate in promotion activities, content creation and marketing strategies to boost both brand’s visibility and create a stronger connection with fans globally. Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor Middle East, commented: “ At MG, we take a strategic and thorough approach to partnerships both regionally and globally. Partnering with Arsenal Football Club, with its rich history, success, and growing popularity, especially in the Middle East, is a natural fit. Our shared vision for innovation, quality, and exceptional customer experience aligns seamlessly with Arsenal’s values. We are enthusiastic about the opportunities this collaboration presents and look forward to a prosperous future together.”

British carmaker Bentley is all set to launch the most powerful, most dynamic and most efficient four-door car in its 105-year history – the Bentley Flying Spur with the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. Already doing duty in the recently unveiled Continental GT Speed, the new performance-focussed 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain will put out 771 hp and 1000 Nm torques. The engine is accompanied by a compact electric motor which allows this luxury performance sedan to be driven without any emissions or exhaust note for at least 72 kms or 45 miles and boosts the overall range of the car to an excess of 800 kms or 500 miles. ‘Electrocharging’ is what Bentley calls this combination of electric power with the twin-turbocharger setup with the power output receiving a bump of 150hp and 100Nm torques over the W12 engine in the Flying Spur Speed being sold currently.

June 2024 witnessed the official launch of the all-new Morgan Plus Four in the Middle East with Adamas Motor Group, the exclusive Retail Partner of Morgan Motor Company in the UAE and Bahrain. The launch also hosted a Best of British Charity Auction with five bespoke prints slated to go under the hammer, each inspired by Morgan’s rich history. Now, Adamas Motor Group announced the successful conclusion of its Best of British Charity Auction with all five prints crafted by British artist Jim Wheat collectively raising AED 126,500. The entire amount has been donated to Emirates Red Crescent to support orphans in need across the region. The handover ceremony, held at Adamas Motor Group’s Dubai showroom, was attended by key representatives from Emirates Red Crescent, along with Edward Hobart, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. “The Best of British Charity Auction has been a wonderful showcase of the enduring spirit of British generosity and the exquisite craftsmanship that defines many successful British businesses. I am delighted to see Adamas Motor Group supporting such a noble cause and commend their efforts in celebrating British motoring heritage while aiding those most in need”, commented Edward Hobart, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed saw a host of dynamic debuts and unveils and standing out among them as a blast from the past was Bentley Mulliner’s Speed Six Continuation Series. Twelve Speed Six Continuation Series customer cars are planned to leave the factory but Bentley aims to ensure their durability with strenuous reliability tests planned with two development cars. One of the two cars, a 205bhp ‘Factory Works’ unit finished in Bedford Grey, completed eight separate runs up the famous Goodwood hill climb without any hesitation or concern. Car Zero, the main test prototype, passed an extended series of gruelling tests comprising 8,000 km of intensive mileage accumulation at Millbrook Proving Ground, multiple Vmax (top speed) test runs, 130 laps of the Goodwood Motor Circuit in a single session and suspension tests on unmetalled surfaces of a kind that would have been familiar to Bentley drivers of the 1920s. In total, Car Zero had accumulated 11,700 km of intensive test mileage which stands equivalent to 30,000 km in normal driving. With the tests complete, Bentley Mulliner commences work on the first Speed Six Continuation Series customer cars with the first deliveries scheduled in autumn. Each of the Speed Six Continuation Series cars will be trimmed and finished to its owner’s specifications from a choice of period-correct finishes and materials.

In a bid to advance the sustainability quotient across the supply chain, JLR partners with tyre manufacturer Pirelli to use FSC-certified natural rubber tyres across its range of modern luxury vehicles. The use of FSC-certified natural rubber tyres is an industry-first initiative and will debut on the upcoming new Range Rover Electric. For the unaware, the complex Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain of custody certification process verifies that FSC-certified material has been identified and separated from non-certified material as it makes its way along the supply chain, meaning it is fully verified to be sustainably farmed to the highest standards. Andrea Debbane, Sustainability Director at JLR, said: “We’re looking at every aspect of our vehicles to find solutions that enable us to redefine luxury in a way that’s better for people and planet. By choosing Pirelli’s FSC-certified tyres, we’re offering our clients high-quality, high-performance tyres whilst supporting responsible forest management and protecting the communities in our rubber supply chain to drive real progress.” In addition to the use of FSC-certified products, JLR and Pirelli are working together to increase the percentage of sustainable and recycled content of all tyres supplied to JLR.

March 2024 in Florida witnessed a large gathering of 400 luxury cars comprising the likes of 954/55 Mercedes-Benz “Silver Arrow” raced by Juan Manuel Fangio and the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO along with over 8,000 enthusiasts at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables for the inaugural edition of the ModaMiami event, American East Coast’s ultimate automotive luxury experience. Now, ModaMiami has announced its return on March 1 and 2 for the 2025 edition at the same historic Biltmore Hotel venue. The second edition promises to be a more extravagant affair with new vehicle collections including dedication exhibits from the world’s most beautiful race, ‘The Mille Miglia’, the world’s most gruelling race ‘La Carrera Panamericana’, along with a special collection entitled “The Holy Trinity” featuring iconic cars from the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. The 2nd ModaMiami event will also see Bill and Jane Warner, best known as founders of The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, which the pair began in 1996, joining in as Honorary Chairman for the event. Commenting on the second edition’s announcement, Rob Myers, Chairman and CEO of RM Sotheby’s, stated “Heading into 2024, we envisioned breathing new life into the concours world, a space that has remained unchanged for some time. Our aim was to attract the next generation of enthusiasts–the families and kids who attend cars and coffees, watch Formula 1 races, and those who come for the sheer experience, whether they’re car lovers or not. We achieved that vision by hosting an event that exceeded all expectations. This year will be no different. We are gearing up for an incredible 2025 event and can’t wait to announce the next big things.”

Founded on July 11th, 1899, FIAT is one of the longest-operative automotive brands in the world and this year marks the automaker’s 125th anniversary. To commemorate the 125th anniversary, FIAT recently hosted a “Smiling to the future” event in Turin which comprised a stunning parade of classic and contemporary FIAT vehicles divided into groups—icons, city cars, compact cars, family cars and light commercial vehicles, with the most important executives of FIAT and parent company Stellantis in attendance. The celebrations further saw FIAT announce a collaboration with Giorgio Armani to create the ultimate expression of Made in Italy on four wheels – the 500e Giorgio Armani. This limited-edition all-electric hatchback will be sold in limited numbers across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa, Japan, and Australia from next year, featuring stylized touches such as exclusive wheels and paint schemes on the exterior and laser-cut wooden trim dashboard for interior from the fashion house. FIAT’s 125th anniversary further marked the perfect occasion for the inauguration of the new Casa FIAT museum exhibition. This exhibition traces FIAT’s history decade by decade through interactive displays and wooden models for the brand’s most important milestones. The anniversary further celebrated the arrival of the new FIAT Panda, with the all-electric trim touted to be priced under €25,000, earmarking FIAT’s return to the global mainstream market.