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Dubai Ruler Refits Yacht to Beat Abramovich's Eclipse

Just as we predicted in our latest story (dated Aug. 23) on Roman Abramovich's gigayacht Eclipse (above), it won't be the world's largest privately owned yacht for very much longer. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum is reportedly having his own floating palace, the Dubai, refitted to literally eclipse the Eclipse. As we noted in our previous story, at 531.5 ft. the Dubai is already only 18 inches shorter than the actual length of the Eclipse, which yachting experts Camper & Nicholsons finally pegged at 533 ft. Now the London Sunday Times reports that Sheikh Mohammed is planning to have the Dubai extended by at least two feet, and possibly as much as eight feet, easily beating the Eclipse to recapture the World's Largest title. The UAE's Platinum Yachts, which built the Dubai, is considering updates that could include a black box radar to be mounted jutting forward from under the prow. [continued]

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Tags: Dubai, Eclipse, gigayacht, megayacht, Platinum Yachts, Roman Abramovich, russian billionaire, sheikh, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, superyacht, UAE, worlds largest, yacht

Continue reading “Dubai Ruler Refits Yacht to Beat Abramovich's Eclipse”

Shiekh Wheels: Rolls-Royce Debuts Bespoke Editions for Abu Dhabi

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

A regular old Rolls-Royce? Strictly for peasants, my friend. No filthy rich oil sheikh would be caught dead in one. Hence the new bespoke Phantom editions built specially for Abu Dhabi, which as we all know has the actual cash, as opposed to Dubai which thrives on flash and debt thanks to Abu Dhabi's indulgence. Inspired by the emirate's "rich culture and landscape" emphasis on rich – the new models are of course extremely vulgar and insanely expensive. The special edition Phantom Drophead Coupe (above) is called Shaheen, after the local word for the prestigious peregrine falcon used for hunting. It features a marquise-white exterior with Tudor red lines and a red and seashell leather interior, brass falcon inlays and falcon embroidered head-rests. The Phantom sedan meanwhile is named Baynunah after Abu Dhabi's sand dune covered western region. Fittingly finished in shades of brown and tan, it features hand-crafted inlay and marquetry, some of it applied with tweezers to ensure maximum precision, and a solid gold Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood. Better bring a solid gold bucket.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi Editions

Tags: Abu Dhabi, bespoke, custom cars, Dubai, hunting, oil, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, sheikh, UAE, wealth

Arab Playboys Arrested After Supercar Smash in London

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Yesterday we reported that a cabal of mega-rich Arab playboys have made London the world's supercar capital this summer, shipping an estimated $80 million worth of eye-popping vehicles to the city while waiting out the heat in their homeland. With all the ultra-luxe vehicles racing around the crowded city, something was bound to go wrong, and it has; two of the fast-living fellows were arrested in Knightsbridge the other day after plowing their $280,000 Lamborghini into four other vehicles, the London Daily Mail reports. Abdulla Saeed Khalfan Al-Dhaheri, 28, and Sultan Khalifa Al-Muhairbi, 35, both from the United Arab Emirates, were taken into custody after their Lamborghini Murcielago smashed into the parked cars, flipping a BMW over completely.

Luckily no one was injured, but Al-Muhairbi was charged with dangerous driving and driving with no insurance and Al-Dhaheri was charged with perverting the course of justice. The men, who are due to appear in court on October 12, are said to have walked away from the pile-up, telling a passerby, "It's all right, we'll pay for the damage." The incident took place in posh Lowndes Square, home to some of the city's wealthiest residents, including Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. Check out an image gallery of some of the Arab-owned supercars, including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Bugatti models, which have been flown to London for the summer from the UAE after the jump.

Tags: Arab, car crash, Ferrari, Knightsbridge, Lamborghini, London, Rolls-Royce, Roman Abramovich, supercar, UAE, UK, United Arab Emirates, wealth

Continue reading “Arab Playboys Arrested After Supercar Smash in London”

Arab Playboys Ship $80 Million Worth of Supercars to London for the Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Video

A cabal of mega-rich Arab playboys have made London the world's supercar capital this summer, shipping an estimated $80 million worth of eye-popping vehicles to the city while waiting out the heat in their homeland. The bored billionaires get their kicks by racing around London's crowded streets, the London Sun reports. Bugatti Veyrons have been seen cruising in Knightsbridge and Mayfair, and both the Bugatti a Pagani Zonda Cinque, one of only five in the world, are often parked at the Dorchester Hotel where some of the super-rich studs are staying. Rolls-Royces, custom Mercedes-McLaren SLRs, Lamborghinis, Koenigseggs, Ferraris and more are commonplace in certain posh neighborhoods.

"Forget Monaco or Monte Carlo - London is now the supercar capital," Matt Master of Top Gear tells the paper. "Most owners are in their 20s or early 30s and from amazingly rich families. The amount of Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis with UAE plates is unbelievable." Most do 200 mph-plus but they have to drive them around in first gear, though some cut loose and take the consequences – check out a video of one man being pulled over in a pink Lamborghini amidst a number of other exotics after the jump. Others like the supercars belonging to Qatar's Royal Family get "clamped" by the cops. Given the fact that the cars had to be flown to London from the UAE, the sheer amount of money being wasted is simply stupendous:

Tags: Arab, Arabs, Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, London, Mayfair, Pagani, Qatar, Rolls-Royce, supercars, UAE, wealth

Continue reading “Arab Playboys Ship $80 Million Worth of Supercars to London for the Summer”

Qatari Royals' $2 Million Supercar Clamped Outside Harrods

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Back in May we reported that luxe landmark London department store Harrods had been sold to Qatar's royal family for more about $2.2 billion. The other day the super-rich royals arrived to check out their new acquisition in a fleet of exotic supercars, all painted the family's signature shade of turquoise. However, while inside the posh retail palace the London police slapped clamps on the illegally parked rides. Spotted by London's Daily Mail with the unsightly locks on their wheels was a Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce, valued at about $550,000 (above left) and a bespoke specification Koenigsegg CCXR (above right), one of only six in the world, worth about $2 million. To get the vehicles unlocked the scofflaw sheikhs had to pay a release fee of £70 plus a fine of between £40 - £120 and complete a set of paperwork for each car.

[via LuxuryInsider]

Tags: department store, Harrods, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, London, Qatar, royal family, royalty, supercar, UAE

Dubai Ruler's Fortune Plummets $7.5 Billion, Named Forbes' Biggest Royal Loser

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Shed a tear for Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, who has been named Forbes' biggest royal loser after his fortune plummeted by $7.5 billion this year – a drop of over 60% in net worth and even worse than the $6 billion he lost last year in the wake of the emirate's financial implosion. Al-Maktoum now has only $4.5 billion in the bank, down from $18 billion two years ago – a loss of $13.5 billion in total. Others on the magazine's list of the world's richest royals fared better – top of the heap is King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand whose $30 billion fortune remains unchanged, followed by the Sultan of Brunei at $20 billion (also unchanged), and King Abdullah bin Abul Aziz of Saudi Arabia whose net worth rose to $18 billion thanks to shrewd financial planning. In case you're wondering about the Queen of England, she's way down on the list with a paltry $450 million. Collectively the group's fortune is down 9%, or $10 billion this year, to $99 billion – a whopping $32 billion below their 2008 total. Time to tax those subjects.

Tags: billionaire, Dubai, Forbes, Queen of England, royal family, royalty, Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Sultan of Brunei, Thailand, UAE, wealth

BMW to Auction Museum Cars for First Time Ever at Bonhams in Dubai

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

BMW have consigned two cars from their museum's reserve collection for sale at Bonhams inaugural Collectors' Motor Cars auction at the Royal Mirage Hotel in Dubai this October. This is the first time that cars have ever become available from the official factory collection representing a truly unique opportunity for collectors. The first of the lots is a white BMW 3.0 CSL (left) with motorsport stripes and concours factory restoration. With its aerodynamic spoilers for racing, the car became known as the "Batmobile". Only 57 of this second series design were created before production ceased in December 1975, of which only about a third are thought to survive.

The 3.0 CSL is expected to fetch €130,000–€170,000. Also consigned is a rare 1979 white BMW M1 (right) with very low mileage and in concours condition - a homologation special of which very few were made due to high production costs. It is also estimated to fetch €130,000–€170,000. Other cars also consigned for the sale already include a 1993 Italdesign Aztec Barchetta (€80,000–€120,000) and our personal favorite, an extraordinary one-of-a-kind 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake, estimated at €200,000–€300,000.

Gallery: BMW & More at Bonhams Dubai

1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Shooting Brake

Tags: auction, BMW, BMW M1, Bonhams, classic cars, Dubai, Ferrari, museum, Shooting Brake, UAE

Harrods Sold To Qatar Royals' Holding Company

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Wealth

Just last month we noted that Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed had denied reports that the luxe landmark London department store was for sale. Now however in a stunning reversal Al-Fayed has sold the business to Qatar's royal family for more than £1.5 billion, or about $2.2 billion, and announced his retirement, the London Times reports. Harrods, the largest and one of the most luxurious stores in the world, holds royal warrants from the likes of the Queen, the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales.

The bid from the Qatar Holding company was accepted because they would "maintain the traditions of Harrods", Ken Costa, chairman of Lazard International, the investment bank advising the family trust on the deal, told the paper. "After 25 years as chairman of Harrods, Mohamed al-Fayed has decided to retire and to spend more time with his children and grandchildren," Costa notes, adding, Fayed "wished to ensure that the legacy and traditions that he has built up in Harrods would be continued". Last year Harrods won a Readers' Choice Luxist award for Best Department Store.

[Thanks, Lana]

Tags: department store, Harrods, London, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Qatar, royalty, UAE, UK

The United Arab Emirates Welcomes Two Anantara Resorts, Special Deals Welcome You

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort and the Desert Islands Resort and Spa in Abu Dhabi aren't exactly new, but they are Antara establishments and therefore it's probably wise to know about them. The 206-room Qasr Al Sarab was opened in November of last year in the Liwa desert, said to be "designed to leave visitors with a sense of the romance of Arabia." Think, Lawrence of Arabia – the compound is a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi proper in an area called the Liwa Empty Quarter, and the Liwa is already a desert to begin with.

The last of that drive is 7 miles of unpaved road, but the reward is a completely self-contained retreat worthy of Zenobia, with poolside villas, three restaurants including a rooftop bar and grill, museum installations of desert and Bedouin artifacts, Desert Excursion Centre to set up camel trekking, desert hiking, and archery, and even a pillow menu with your choice of fluffy things to sleep on. Your failsafe when you need to turn away from the desert is the heated-marble-hammam-equipped Anantara Spa.

The Desert Islands Resort & Spa (pictured) is at the other pole of terrain, built atop one of Abu Dhabi's complex of islands just off the coast. Sir Bani Yas Island is a reserve for endangered Arabian animals, and that was taken as inspiration for Desert Island Resort's safari decor. Outside you'll find hubara birds, oryx and sand gazelles, including the "Dhabi" variety of gazelle that gave the city its name. And again, when the game drives, kayaking among mangrove fields, mountain biking and falconry have got the best of you, there's that rather famous spa with its signature Thai treatments to replenish you.

Tags: abu dhabi, anantara, desert islands resort, dubai, hotel, qasr al sarab desert resort, resort, uae, united arab emirates

Filthy Rich Arab Buys TEN Aston Martin One-77s

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

According to a new report a single and obviously incredibly rich buyer in the Middle East has shelled out for not one but ten Aston-Martin One-77 supercars which cost $1.7 million apiece. The unnamed buyer - we're guessing oil sheik - apparently paid a premium to get the cars sent to his desert demesne, bringing the total cost of the cars to $23 million. He is reportedly planning to give one to each member of his immediate family. Sounds like a pretty popular guy. Aston Martin unveiled the car last year and announced that only 77 examples would be made. With a low weight carbon fiber monocoque, the sexy beast's 7.3-liter V12 engine with 750 hp helps it hit a top speed of 220 mph.

[via AutoGuide / TopSpeed]

Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin One-77, AstonMartin, AstonMartinOne-77, Middle East, MiddleEast, supercar, UAE

Royal Drive Supercar Rally in the UAE

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Wealth

As Luxist readers well know the UAE and in particular Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to some of the most spectacularly ostentatious collections of supercars, often customized within an inch of their lives. Now a new event has been inaugurated in order for the local sheikhs and such to show them off to best advantage. The Royal Drive is a three-day exotic auto orgy featuring an armada of 60 Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Mercedes-McLaren SLRs, Gemballa Mirage GTs and more, kicking off on March 18. The event will begin at the 5-star Yas Hotel on Yas Island, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and upcoming Ferrari World theme park. From there the cavalcade will continue to circuit the Abu Dhabi Corniche beach boulevard winding up at the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel at Dubai Creek. That night participants will enjoy VIP treatment at the Elements Music Concert in Dubai Festival City before proceeding on to the Dubai Marina and a wrap party at the Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residences. And yes, you need a gold-plated invitation.

Tags: Abu Dhabi, AbuDhabi, Dubai, rally, supercar, UAE

Dubai Says Tiger Woods Development Will Proceed as Planned

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Real Estate Developments, Wealth, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Some of Tiger Woods' sponsors and business associates are distancing themselves from the sports star in the wake of his mushrooming mistress scandal; however the Dubai backers of the first ever Woods-designed golf course and housing development say they'll proceed as planned with the megabucks project. The move is surprising given the iffy emirate's recent financial troubles as well as the UAE's extremely strict laws and outlook on sexual misconduct, real or perceived. The company building The Tiger Woods Dubai housing development and golf course said in a statement Wednesday it remains committed to completing the course, a 60,000-square-foot clubhouse, an 80-suite boutique hotel for VIP guests, 300 luxury villas, 20 mansions and a community retail area, all bearing the increasingly dubious Tiger Woods brand. The developer, part of the Dubai Holding conglomerate owned by the city-state's ruler, says "progress continues" on the project but gave no specifics, the AP reports. As we reported the other day, Woods' travails are likely to end up preventing him from becoming the world's first billionaire athlete, a goal he had nearly attained.

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Tags: celebrity, Dubai, golf, Tiger Woods, TigerWoods, UAE

Ferrari World Prepares for Grand Opening in Abu Dhabi Next Year

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Real Estate Developments

If you had the occasion to watch the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which capped the end of the 2009 Formula One World Championship this past weekend, you may have gotten a glimpse of a giant red structure with a huge Ferrari emblem on the roof. What you're looking at is Ferrari World, the first Ferrari theme park, being built on the man-made Yas Island resort in Abu Dhabi.

The complex stands as the largest indoor park in the world, encompassing some 2 million square feet under a giant 150-foot-high red steel roof sporting the largest Ferrari logo in the world. Out of the top protrudes a 200-foot g-force drop tower, accompanying the world's fastest roller coaster, a flume ride simulating a Ferrari engine and kart tracks among its 20+ attractions. Of course there'll be plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities that go along with any theme park as well. This one is set to open its doors some time next year as part of an ongoing initiative to turn the United Arab Emirates into a leading tourist destination.

Gallery: Ferrari World Abu Dhabi

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Tags: abu dhabi, AbuDhabi, emirates, ferrari, ferrari world, FerrariWorld, theme park, ThemePark, uae, united arab emirates, UnitedArabEmirates, yas, yas island, YasIsland

9ff Announces Limited Run of GT9-R Convertibles for the UAE

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Few countries are as car-crazed as the United Arab Emirates. The oil-rich gulf state has more exotic supercars than you can shake a stick at, and they're about to get three more. Porsche tuner extraordinaire 9ff is planning a limited run of convertible versions of its epically fast GT9-R. The fixed-roof version is capable of rivaling the Bugatti Veyron for speed and acceleration, with a 250 mph top end and a 0-60 run in under three seconds. The company just launched a dedicated website for the Emirates, and on it announced the availability of three convertible GT9-Rs exclusively for that market at an undisclosed price, together with this sketch. Those who say that money can't buy you happiness clearly aren't car fans, then.

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Tags: 9ff, 9ff gt9-r, 9ff porsche, 9ffGt9-r, 9ffPorsche, porsche, uae, united arab emirates, UnitedArabEmirates

Will Dubai Drivers Wear Gucci Seatbelts?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Like the United States, the United Arab Emirates, wants to encourage young drivers to wear their seatbelts. But the UAE has a unique approach to their nationwide safety campaign. Instead of an ad campaign and the fear of tickets they are creating the Fashionable Seatbelt campaign which will be launched after Ramadan. Seatbelts will be covered with images of the national flag, sports logos and logos of fashion houses like Gucci. Figures from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi say that only 11 percent of Emiratis wear their seatbelts. Designers will be invited to submit ideas for the seatbelts and the plan is to eventually have the color of your seatbelt as something that is chosen when you pick out your car. It seems like an interesting idea but knowing how notoriously litigious Gucci and other luxury brands are when ti comes to protecting their intellectual property, I think that the campaign might have a tough time using the fashion logos.

[Thanks, Ben!]

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Tags: dubai, fashion, gucci, uae, united arab emirates, UnitedArabEmirates

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