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AMERICAN LEGEND: 2014 Ford Mustang GT 500; Top speed: 360 km/h; 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds; Price: Dh320,000; Brand: American Image Credit: AHMED RAMZAN/XPRESS

Dubai: A car is a car, right?

But one visit to the Dubai International Motor Show 2013 is guaranteed to make you see these beasts in a whole new light.

The region’s largest motoring event that opened its doors to the public on Tuesday is sure to convert even your grandmother into a shameless car gawker if not a genuine car lover overnight — if not for the sheer need for speed, then definitely for the sheer joy of watching a beauty replete with signature curves and exclusive hi-end designs.

From the world’s most expensive Rolls Royce ever, to the BMW i8 - the world’s most progressive sports car that goes on sale in May 2014, the event that ends on Saturday has it all at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

There are also more than 100 global and regional launches during the five-day event.

As many as 15 concept cars including a stunning blue Lexus future luxury coupe hybrid are also being showcased to whet your appetite.

And if you happen to come upon a golden Nissan GTR, look closely. The car has been autographed by none other than reigning world and Olympic 100 and 200-metre sprint champion Usain Bolt.

And while you’re at it, you can also catch the original car in which American Richie Ginther won the now defunct Mexican Grand Prix in 1965 giving Honda a historic first ever Grand Prix victory. Go, ride.

 

Motor show
Spread over 65,000 sq.m. with more than 600 vehicles on show, the event, said to be the biggest ever this year, is expected to draw an attendance of over 100,000 visitors.

 

Concept Cars

The Aston Martin CC100 Speedster concept car was launched by legendary British company Aston Martin to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It was announced in May 2013 at the ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. There are only two cars in production.

 

Lexus LF-LC concept car revealed for the first time in the Middle East. The sport coupe is a driver-focused vehicle. Framed by a deep aluminum surround, the mesh pattern of the spindle grille takes 3D sculpture form, and functional air intakes in the bottom corners of the grille show the fusion of distinctive style and engineering functionality. The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.

 

UAE’s first hypercar: W. Motor’s Lykan Hypersport 2014 is the Arab world’s first luxury supercar. Founded in Beirut and headquartered in Dubai, there are only seven of these cars up for sale. Priced at $3.4 million, it can go from 0-100 km in 2.8 seconds with a top speed 395 km/h