The internet and other social media networks, such as facebook, played a very important role at the recent political ‘earth-quakes’ in Egypt and Tunisia. Maybe that is the reason why Jaguar Land Rover MENAP announced that the premium, luxury automotive manufacturer will be the first automotive manufacturer in the Middle East and North Africa to create a dedicated social media ‘suite’ – a range of social media sites aimed at offering a level of interaction and information yet to be seen in the region by a car manufacturer.
As part of Jaguar Land Rover’s dedicated social media suite, the manufacturer will provide content-rich blogs for each individual nameplate under the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. All sites will feature informative and interactive content that will provide customers, enthusiasts and analysts with in-depth knowledge relating to Jaguar Land Rover’s latest news, model updates, developments and marketing campaigns, as well as regional brand exclusives, behind the scenes footage/images and live streaming of video content from regional and global events.
One of the first exclusive stories revolves around the all-new Range Rover Evoque during its time in the Middle East region. InteractiveEvoque.me published a behind-the-scenes look at the car in the Global Test Facilities & Planning centre at a top secret location in the UAE.
With the region now boasting over 40 million internet users* – 15 million of them using Facebook – in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain alone, Jaguar Land Rover MENAP Marketing Director, Hannah Naji, is confident that this is an important step forward for the brands, with a strong presence on critical social media platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Flickr providing the burgeoning online community with a wealth of information and an opportunity to engage with the brand on a new level.

Unlike in Europe, the Nissan GT-R is extremely popular and successful in the Middle East. That is why the new version of the GT-R will probably be extremely successful in the gulf region.
The new version of the GT-R which the Japanese car maker Nissan has unveiled recently, is an exclusive edition of the 2012 Nissan GT-R, called the Nissan GT-R Egoist, with exclusive interior options made to individual driver specifications.
With a price tag of 180,000 euros, the GT-R Egoist sells at double the price of the standard version which is sold at approximately 90,000 euros. This hefty extra charge provides the owner with an exclusive interior color combination possibility, in addition to the tailored and individualized sound system.
The all leather cockpit can be ordered from a selection of 84 different color combinations and 20 different leathers with the seat covers done up by the Bavarian specialist firm Seton.
Beside the premium leather upholstery, a Wajima Maki-e steering wheel emblem, the Nissan GTR Egoist is also equipped with a state of the art Bose sound system which is “exclusively tuned according to the driving position of each driver.”
Beneath the bonnet the model is based on the standard version of the 3.8-litre V6 twin turbo engine capable of producing an output of 530 hp and catapulting the car like a runaway train from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.0 seconds.
With all the above-mentioned reference values, the Nissan GTR Egoist targets the Porsche 911 Turbo S, the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborgini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera in terms of performance and exclusivity. Unfortunately Nissan Middle East did not announce yet if and when this GTR Egoist would be launched in the Middle East.

Lamborghini’s sales numbers were never very high in the Middle East and North Africa.

With the Murcielago and the Gallardo the situation started to change slightly, and the Lamborghini brand started to catch up a little bit with the other competitors from Italy and Germany.

Now a new contender from Lamborghini is entering this very exclusive segment, the new Aventador LP 700-4.

So, will the new Aventador become the new reference among the super sports cars and will Automobili Lamborghini be able to gain a bigger market share through it?

With the Aventador LP 700-4, Automobili Lamborghini aims at redefining the very pinnacle of the world super sports car market – brutal power, outstanding lightweight engineering and phenomenal handling precision are combined with peerless design and the very finest equipment to deliver an unparalleled driving experience.

With the Aventador, Lamborghini is taking a big step into the future – and building on the glorious history of the brand with the next automotive legend.

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in late summer 2011.

The technology package of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is utterly unique. It is based on an innovative monocoque made from carbon-fiber that combines exceptional lightweight engineering with the highest levels of stiffness and safety.

The new twelve-cylinder with 6.5 liters’ displacement and 515 kW / 700 hp brings together the ultimate in high-revving pleasure with astonishing low-end torque.
Than ks to a dry weight of only 1,575 kilograms (3,472 lb), which is extremely low for this class of vehicle, the weight-to-power ratio stands at only 2.25 kilograms per hp (4.96 lb/hp).

Even the fantastic 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration figure of just 2.9 seconds and the top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) do not fully describe the Aventador’s extreme performance.

And yet, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are down by around 20 percent compared with its predecessor, despite the considerable increase in power (+8%).

The ISR transmission is unique among road-going vehicles, guaranteeing the fastest shifting time (only 50 milliseconds) and a highly emotional shift feel, while the lightweight chassis with pushrod suspension delivers absolute handling precision and competition-level performance.

The expressively-designed interior offers hi-tech features ranging from the TFT cockpit display with Drive Select Mode system.

The Aventador will be built to the very highest quality standards in an all-new production facility in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

“With the Aventador LP 700-4, the future of the super sports car is now part of the present. Its exceptional package of innovative technologies is unique, its performance simply overwhelming,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

“The Aventador is a jump of two generations in terms of design and technology, it’s the result of an entirely new project, but at the same time it’s a direct and consistent continuation of Lamborghini’s brand values. It is extreme in its design and its performance, uncompromising in its standards and technology, and unmistakably Italian in its style and perfection. Overall, the dynamics and technical excellence of the Aventador LP 700-4 makes it unrivalled in the worldwide super sports car arena.”

Aventador – the name of one of the most courageous of all bulls:

According to its tradition, Lamborghini’s new flagship bears the name of a bull – naturally, a particularly courageous specimen from the world of the Spanish Corrida.

Aventador was the name of a bull that entered into battle in October 1993 at the Saragossa Arena, earning the “Trofeo de la Pe?a La Madro?era” for its outstanding courage.

A sculpture of extreme dynamics:

For Lamborghini, design is always the beauty of aggressive power, the elegance of breathtaking dynamics.

From the very first glance, the new Aventador is unmistakably a Lamborghini, clothed in the brand’s characteristic and distinctive design language – with its extremely powerful proportions, its exact lines and precise surfaces, and with taut muscularity in every one of its details.

The designers in the Centro Stile

Lamborghini have carefully developed this design language to give the Aventador a significant new edge.

It is an avantgarde work of art, an incredibly dynamic sculpture, from the sharply honed front end through the extremely low roofline to the distinctive rear diffuser.

Every line has a clear function, every form is dictated by its need for speed, yet the overall look is nothing less than spectacular and breathtaking.

The doors open upward – of course:

Truly impressive proportions come from an overall length of 4,78 meters (188.19 in.) matched with an impressive width of 2,26 meters (88.98 in.) including the exterior mirrors, and further accentuated by an extremely low height of just 1.136 mm (44.72 in.).

It goes without saying that both doors of the carbon-fiber monocoque open upward – a feature that was first introduced in the now legendary Countach and then used for subsequent V12 models such as Diablo and Murciélago.

However, the Aventador also evokes its immediate predecessor the Murciélago – electronically managed air intakes open depending on the outdoor temperature and the need for cooling air,ensuring maximum aerodynamic efficiency.

And for those whishing to flaunt the heart of their Lamborghini, the optional transparent engine bonnet exhibits the twelve-cylinder engine like a technical work of art in a display case.

Exclusive and high-tech interior:

The Aventador’s spacious interior combines the fine exclusivity of premium materials and perfect Italian craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology and generous equipment.
The red switch cover on the broad center tunnel encloses the start button used to awaken the twelve-cylinder.

The interior is dominated by a next-generation dashboard – as in a modern airplane, the instruments are presented on a TFT-LCD screen using innovative display concepts.

A second screen is dedicated to the standard-fit multimedia and navigation system.

Carbon-fiber monocoque:

The new Lamborghini flagship has a full monocoque. The entire occupant cell, with tub and roof, is one single physical component.

This ensures extreme rigidity and thus outstanding driving precision, as well as an extremely high level of passive safety for the driver and his passenger. The entire monocoque weighs only 147.5 kilograms (325.18 lb).

The monocoque, together with the front and rear Aluminium frames, features an impressive combination of extreme torsional stiffness of 35,000 Newton meters per degree and weighs only 229.5 kilograms (505.9 lb).

Maximum revs, amazing sound:

For the Aventador LP 700-4, the engineers in Lamborghini’s R&D Department have developed a completely new high-performance power unit – an extremely powerful and high-revving, but very compact power unit.

At 235 kilograms (518 lb), it is also extremely lightweight. A V12 with 515 kW (700 hp) at 8,250 rpm sets a whole new benchmark, even in the world of super sports cars. The maximum torque output is 690 Newton meters (509 lb-ft) at 5,500 rpm.
The extremely well-rounded torque curve, the bull-like pulling power in every situation, the spontaneous responsiveness and, last but not least, the finely modulated but always highly emotional acoustics are what make this engine a stunning power plant of the very highest order.

Innovative transmission for maximum performance:

Engineers at Lamborghini have created the perfect mate for the new twelve-cylinder engine with the highly innovative ISR (Independent Shifting Rods) transmission.
The development objective was clearly formulated – to build not only the fastest robotized gearbox, but also to create the world’s most emotional gear shift.

Compared with a dual-clutch transmission, not only is the ISR gearbox much lighter, it also has smaller dimensions than a conventional manual unit – both key elements in the field of lightweight engineering for super sports cars.

Refined and safe with all-wheel drive:

This kind of extreme power must be delivered reliably to the road. The driver of the Aventador LP 700-4 can depend fully on its permanent all-wheel drive – indicated by the 4 in the model designation.

In the driveline, an electronically controlled Haldex coupling distributes the forces between front and rear. In a matter of milliseconds, this coupling adapts the force distribution to match the dynamic situation.
A self-blocking rear differential together with a front differential electronically controlled by ESP make for even more dynamic handling.

The Drive Select Mode System enables the driver to choose vehicle characteristics (engine, transmission, differential, steering and dynamic control) from three settings – Strada (road), Sport and Corsa (track) – to suit his individual preferences.

Pushrod suspension:

Lamborghini has equipped its new V12 super sports car with an innovative and highly sophisticated suspension concept.

The pushrod spring and damper concept was inspired by Formula 1 and tuned perfectly to meet the needs of a high-performance road-going vehicle.

Together with aluminum double wishbone suspension and a carbon-fiber ceramic brake system, this lightweight chassis represents a further aspect of the new flagship’s unique technology concept.

Extensive assistance and safety systems:

In the hands of its driver, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 is a high-precision machine – spontaneous, direct and always reliable.

The driver is also assisted by the latest electronic systems such as the incredibly sporty, adjustable ESP system.

When it comes to passive safety, front, head-thorax and knee airbags play their part alongside the extremely stiff carbon-fiber cell.

A rich and wide-ranging individualization program:

A Lamborghini should always fit perfectly with the style and preferences of its owner. To this end, the range of individualization options is virtually inexhaustible.

There is a selection of 13 production paint colors to choose from, three of which are highly sophisticated matt tones.

A choice of two-tone interiors are offered with the “Sportivo” and “Elegante” versions, while a premium audio system and reversing camera are among the many technology options.

And of course, the “Ad Personam” individualization program knows no limits when it comes to colors and materials.

The price of the Lamborghini Aventador and market delivery are the following:

UK: GBP 201.900,00 (suggested retail price taxes excluded)

Europe: € 255.000 (suggested retail price taxes excluded)

USA: 379.700 USD (suggested retail price – GGT included)

China: RMB 6.270.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included)

Japan: YEN 39.690.000,00 (suggested retail price taxes included)

Unfortunately the prices for the Middle East and North Africa have not been announced yet,

The first customers will take delivery of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 in late summer 2011.

The German premium car manufacturer Mercedes Benz used the Geneva Motor Show at Lac Leman to present two long-awaited models: The all-new and extremely elegant C-Class Coupe and the, in Europe very popular, SLK-Roadster. .

The two-door C-Class Coupe features a steeply raked windscreen, a modified front, an upward all-encompassing beltline, a kinked rear window, as well as newly formed headlights.

In order to maximize chassis rigidity, engineers were forced to install a traditional B-pillar which will be disappointing for a lot of Mercedes Benz fans who were used to the pillar less design which has been a longtime Mercedes trademark.

These design elements will also be implemented later-on in the facelifted C-class sedan.

In order to give the competitors from Bavaria a run for their money, the C-class coupe will be equipped with a lot of electronic driver assistant gadgets, for example automatic distance control, traffic sign recognition system and a lane-keeping assist system.

The new 2011 SLK roadster model changed its old Formula 1-car shaped-nose and is now oriented towards the design of the Mercedes SLS AMG.

The headlamps are now arranged differently and the front is now equipped with LED daytime running lamps.

The foldable hardtop will be maintained, but will be extended by a vario-roof with Magic Sky Control which can vary the tint of the panoramic folding hard-top roof between brighter and darker.

For the first time, there will also be a diesel engine option available for the Mercedes SLK model.

If the C-Class Coupe will be offered with a 1.6 litre Kompressor engine like the one available in the 4-doors C180 Kompressor, then this very beautiful and elegant Coupe will be for sure a best-seller in the Egyptian market.

In the Middle East markets the top-of-the-line C-Class Coupe will surely be more demanded than the basic 1.6-litre engine.

Dubai – Indian cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar recently took delivery of the latest specification Nissan GT-R supercar in Mumbai.

Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsman in the history of the game, was taken through his personalised pre-delivery programming of the 530hp, twin-turbo, four-wheel drive GT-R by two of Arabian Automobiles’ Nissan certified technicians who flew in to Mumbai from Dubai to complete the handover process to Tendulkar.