The Dubai International Motor Show, the region’s largest automotive event, opens its doors today for the first of five days that will see an unprecedented number of new models mixed with a collection of classic cars.

Visitors can expect to see 157 new models making their global and regional debut in the UAE city, mixed amongst the 600 cars on show. 

Also adding a new dimension will be the first ever Motoring Nostalgia Museum for exotic classics from the 1950s to the 80s.

With 85,000 sq m of floor space representing a 30 per cent increase over 2013, the biennial event is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors from 37 countries passing through its doors over the next five days with no shortage of highlights including 16 concept cars, 18 world premieres and 139 regional debuts.

“The Dubai International Motor Show has come of age on the world automotive calendar with a record number of international releases that point to the significance the global industry now places on the Middle East,” says Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the show. 

“The growth and global acceptance of the show is a strong barometer of how the automotive sector looks to this region and is reflected by the strong presence of the world’s leading manufacturers,” LohMirmand adds.

For the first time, acollection of more than 80 classic cars will be assembled under one roof as the Motoring Nostalgia Museum displays everything from the glorious sports cars from the 1950s to 1970s luxury vehicles and the ultimate in 1980s supercars. 

The cars are courtesy of Sheikh Hasher bin Juma Al Maktoum, the collections of the President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, and 14-time Middle East Rally Champion Dr Mohammed bin Sulayem, Tomini Classics, the Sharjah Classic Car Museum, Sharjah Classic Car Club and the Al Ain Classics collections, as well as from a number of proud owners from the Dubai Grand Parade, including Victor Harris (NSV), Jean Mora and Ismail Al Dorabi. 

Visitors will be able to take guided tours from resident experts, enjoy street food cuisine, retro music that takes enthusiasts back to the golden age from the 1950s to the Swinging Sixties and beyond as well as a chance to take part in onsite competitions, forums and watch master craftsmen at work on a number of projects over the show’s duration.

Now in its 13^th edition, this year’s show will see multiple regional launches from Aston Martin, Audi, Fiat, GMC, Land Rover and Volkswagen while Cadillac, Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, W Motors and Toyota are just some who will be releasing models to the world for the first time.

Aston Martin will feature not one, but two exciting new models with the DB10 used in the James Bond film Spectre as well as showing the limited build, track-day only car, the Vulcan. Also in the limelight will be Jaguar who will show off its unique Bond car from Spectre, the CX75 which will be displayed alongside the company’s first ever SUV, the all-new Jaguar F-Pace. 

The show will not only preview the newest cars but also motorcycles, light commercial vehicles, and the tuning and aftermarket sectors with plenty of action continuing outside from Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover who will both be hosting interactive driving experiences including a simulator of the Bloodhound SSC car that’s aiming to break the World Land Speed Record above 1,000mph (1,600 kmph).

The show will again host the Dubai Distinctive Plates Public Auction by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) on November 14 from 4 pm in the Al Multaqua Ballroom of the World Trade Centre. This is the second auction from the RTA held at the show for unique licence plates with distinctive numbers and will offer a selection of 110 plate number options.

Each day of the show will have ‘Ignition Live Talks’ a dedicated engagement space where visitors can interact and get personal with key personalities from the motoring world. Today’s event sees Gymkhana and YouTube sensation Ken Block on stage followed by the forum ‘How To Make A Fortune On A Classic Car’ with special guests Gaurav Dhar, Miguel Llorente and James Nicholls.

The show will be open from 6 pm to 10 pm on November 10; 11 am to 10 pm on November 11; 11 am to 11 pm on November 12 and 13; and from 11am to 10pm on November 14.